Electrocution and Electrical Injuries

Electricity is a constant presence on every construction site. From overhead power lines to temporary wiring and heavy equipment, one small mistake can cause a powerful—and sometimes fatal—shock. If you were electrocuted while working in construction or visiting a job site, it’s important to understand what rights you have and how you can protect and pursue them. Our Miami construction accident lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada can help you understand your options and take action against all those responsible.

Electrocution injuries are almost always preventable. Employers, site managers, and contractors must take steps to prevent workers from being exposed to live wires or energized equipment. When they fail to mark high-voltage areas, install safeguards, or follow state and federal safety standards, people inevitably get hurt.

These are some of the most common scenarios that lead to electrical injuries:

• Contact with overhead or buried power lines
• Faulty wiring or ungrounded equipment
• Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Exposed live wires during demolition or remodeling
• Improper use of extension cords or power tools
• Inadequate lockout/tagout procedures on energized systems

When workers are pressured to rush through tasks or work in poorly marked zones, the danger multiplies. Florida law requires job sites to follow strict electrical safety guidelines. When these rules are ignored, the risk of severe injury or death increases significantly.

Electricity can harm the body in many ways, often with long-term or permanent consequences. A high-voltage shock may result in severe burns, cardiac arrest, or internal damage that’s not immediately visible. Even lower-voltage contact can cause involuntary muscle contractions, which may lead to falls or other trauma from being thrown backward.

Electrocution injuries are typically characterized by:

• Severe electrical burns
• Nerve damage and chronic pain
• Cardiac irregularities or heart failure
• Seizures or neurological impairment
• Vision or hearing loss
• Brain damage from oxygen deprivation

Recovery may involve multiple surgeries, skin grafts, mobility aids, medication management or occupational therapy. In many cases, the injury is so disruptive that you may not be able to return to work for months—if you can return at all.

Workers’ compensation can provide compensation and medical benefits if you were electrocuted on the job, but those benefits won’t always cover the full impact of your injury. However, you may be able to file a third-party claim for pain and suffering if someone other than your employer contributed to unsafe conditions. This could include contractors, equipment manufacturers, site supervisors, or utility companies.

These claims can be complex and are fact-intensive because, unlike a workers’ compensation claim, you’ll need to prove fault. Our Miami construction accident lawyers with Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada can investigate how and why the accident occurred, review your medical records, consult industry experts, and pursue claims against every potentially responsible party. By identifying all sources of liability, you can recover damages for pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, and permanent impairment—some of which may not be available through a Florida workers’ compensation claim.

After an electrical injury on a construction site, an investigation should begin immediately. Regulators such as OSHA may step in to examine whether the site was in compliance with safety regulations. At the same time, the employer and their insurance company will likely conduct their own review—often to protect themselves, not you. It’s critical that someone is looking out for your interests during this process. Our Miami construction accident lawyers can coordinate an independent investigation to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, take photographs and ensure that critical safety violations are documented. This includes identifying whether faulty equipment, improper safety protocols, or failures in supervision played a role. Having your own legal team involved from the beginning helps level the playing field and ensures the facts are not distorted or lost.

Construction workers face real danger every day—but that doesn’t mean you should accept injury as part of the job. If you or someone you love suffered electrocution or another electrical injury on a Florida job site, legal help is available. Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada has been representing construction injury victims across South Florida since 1976. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation and get the support you need to move forward. You can reach us at (305) 448-8585 or through our secure online contact form. Calling is free, and we do not get paid unless and until we’re able to obtain financial recovery for you.