In this guide, we’ll be explaining the process of making a successful workplace injury claim after an electric shock at work. We will look at what employer negligence is and how it could cause or contribute to injuries you sustain in the workplace.
Electric shock at work claims guide
You might wonder how much you could claim if harmed by employer negligence. We will address how settlements are valued and the two heads of claim that make up a personal injury compensation award. Furthermore, we will look at No Win No Fee agreements and the advantages that they can offer claimants.
If you’re interested in beginning your personal injury claim, or simply have more questions about the claims process, then you can contact us anytime by using the information provided below.
Get in touch with us by using the details below:
- Enter your details in the start your claim section
- Call us at 0800 073 8805
- Chat with one of our advisors by using the chat box in the corner of our website
Choose A Section
- What Compensation Could You Recieve From An Electric Shock At Work?
- When Are You Eligible To Claim For An Electric Shock Compensation?
- How Could An Electric Shock At Work Happen?
- Potential Evidence When Making A Claim For An Accident At Work
- See If You Can Make An Electric Shock Compensation Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Learn More About How To Claim For An Electric Shock At Work
What Compensation Could You Recieve From An Electric Shock At Work?
If you’re awarded compensation for harm caused by an electric shock at work, your settlement could be made up of two heads. General damages compensation is the head of claim that compensates you for any pain or suffering you’ve undergone as a direct result of your injuries. The figures below have been taken from the Judicial College Guidelines, which are used by solicitors to help them assign a value to your accident at work claim.
Note that the figures provided below cannot be guaranteed. This is because of the variables that have to be considered when calculating general damages compensation.
| Injury | Severity | Award Bracket | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injury Resulting from Brain Damage | (a) Very Severe | £282,010 to £403,990 | Because of these injuries there will be little evidence of any meaningful response to the environment. |
| Injury Resulting from Brain Damage | (d) Less Severe | £15,320 to £43,060 | The injured person will have made a substantial recovery. But there are some persisting problems including poor memory. |
| Scarring to other parts of the body | 40% of the body or more | Likely to exceed £104,830 | Where burns cover 40% of the body or more |
| Chest Injuries | (a) Serious | £100,670 to £150,110 | The worst cases will involve serious heart damage with prolonged pain, or total removal of one lung. |
| Chest Injuries | (b) Traumatic | £65,740 to £100,670 | Traumatic injuries to the heart, lungs, and/or chest that causes a reduction of life expectancy. |
| Facial Disfigurement | (a) Very Severe Scarring | £29,780 to £97,330 | In relatively young claimants involving very disfiguring cosmetic effects. |
| Facial Disfigurement | (d) Less Significant Scarring | £3,950 to £13,740 | Cases involving one significant, or many smaller scars that mar but don't markedly affect their looks. |
| Hand | (f) Severe | Up to £36,740 | Severe fractures to fingers that could result in partial amputations. |
| Hand | (w) Minor | Up to £4,750 | Including fractures that heal within 6 months. |
| Leg | (c) Less Serious (ii) | £9,110 to £14,080 | No damage to articular surfaces following a simple femur fracture. |
Special Damages When Making An Electric Shock Claim
You could also potentially receive special damages in a successful electric shock at work claim. This head of claim looks to reimburse you for financial losses you have experienced because of this injury. This can come in the form of:
- Cost of caring for you after your injury.
- Cost of changes to a home in aid of recovery
- Loss of earnings
- Cost of medication
You’ll have to provide proof to support your special damages claim, which can come from bank statements, invoices or receipts detailing any transactions made. To find out more about what your claim could consist of, speak with a member of our team today.
When Are You Eligible To Claim For An Electric Shock Compensation?
As stated above, every employer has a duty of care to their employees. This means that employers must take steps that are considered reasonable and practicable to stop you from experiencing harm in the workplace. This is outlined in The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
An electric shock can be a potentially life-changing injury, and as such, the scale of injuries can range from relatively mild to life-threatening. Below are some examples of injuries that an electric shock could cause:
- Muscle spasms. These can be strong enough to break a bone, such as a broken finger.
- A head injury, if for example, your muscle spasms cause you to fall from a height.
- A burn injury that causes scarring.
Examples of employer negligence that could lead to an electric shock whilst at work will be discussed further in the next section. If you have any questions about the validity of your claim, speak with a member of our team today.
What Is The Work Injury Claim Time Limit?
The standard time limit you’ll have to begin your personal injury claim is three years after the date of the accident, or three years from the date that you became conscious of the fact that your injuries were caused by negligence. This is outlined in The Limitation Act 1980. However, exceptions can apply to this rule.
In the case that a person is under the age of eighteen, or lacks the mental capacity to begin a claim themselves, then the courts can appoint a litigation friend to make a claim on behalf of them. In this scenario, they won’t have a time limit to complete their personal injury claim.
If the person turns eighteen or regains the mental capacity necessary to make a personal injury claim, they’ll have three years from this date to begin their own claim. This can only be done if a litigation friend hasn’t already claimed on their behalf.
How Could An Electric Shock At Work Happen?
This section details examples of different employer negligence that could lead to you suffering an electric shock whilst at work. Examples of negligence that could lead to this type of injury include:
- Being given faulty equipment. If a faulty kettle has been supplied by your employer and you suffer an electric shock from it, you could make a claim. Employers are responsible for making sure that all work equipment is safe and well-maintained.
- Being provided with insufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). For example, if your employer provides you with high-voltage insulated gloves that have a hole in them, this could mean that you sustain a burn injury to your hand.
- Insufficient training – if you have not been trained sufficiently to work with electrics and you injure yourself due to this, you could make a personal injury claim.
It’s important that you’re able to provide evidence to support the fact that your injury was the result of employer negligence. We’ll cover this further down in this guide, but if you’re interested to learn more then you can contact us using the information at the top of the page.
Potential Evidence When Making A Claim For An Accident At Work
In order to prove that your injury was caused by employer negligence, you’ll have to provide evidence.
Potential types of evidence that you can use to support your claim include:
- CCTV footage of the accident
- A diary of your symptoms
- Photographs of your injury and the accident site
- Contact details of any potential witnesses
- Copies of any records produced when you sought medical care for your injuries
- A report of the incident from the accident at work book. This should be filled out even if there’s no need to report the accident at work to the Health and Safety Executive
If you want any assistance with the evidence-gathering section of your claim, then working with a member of our panel of injury at work solicitors can prove to be beneficial to your case. Speak with a member of our team today to see if you have a valid claim and could be connected with a legal representative.
See If You Can Make An Electric Shock Compensation Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
Our solicitors can provide their services under a type of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement. Under this, you won’t typically have to pay any immediate fees, or continuing fees for the services of your solicitor whilst your claim is ongoing.
If you’re unsuccessful in making your personal injury claim, then you typically won’t be expected to pay at all for your solicitor’s services.
However, in the scenario that you’re successful in your claim, then you’ll have to pay your solicitor a success fee. This is made up if a legally-capped percentage of your settlement.
If you’d like to start your accident at work claim, or simply have more questions about the process, then you can contact us using the information provided below
Contact us by:
- Entering your details in the start your claim section of our website
- Calling us at 0800 073 8805
- Chatting with one of our advisors by using the chat box in the corner of our website
Learn More About How To Claim For An Electric Shock At Work
We hope this guide on electric shock at work claims has been helpful. You can read more of our guides below:
- Is there an average payout for back injury at work claims?
- Workplace Injury Solicitors
- Can I make a foot injury at work claim?
Alternatively, you can follow the below links to learn more:
Writer Louis Pine
Publisher Fern Strauss