Electrocution Injury Lawyer in Chicago

Fighting for Maximum Compensation for Illinois Workers Injured in Electrical Accidents

Electrocution accidents, whether due to faulty wiring at a Gold Coast home or unsafe conditions at a Pullman construction site, can lead to serious injuries or even death. An electrocution injury lawyer from our firm will provide top-notch legal representation against negligent companies, ensuring you the best chance at fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation about your injuries. 

Electrocution Accident Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago-Based Law Firm

$10,500,000: Brendan suffered catastrophic injuries when his aerial lift came into contact with an overhead power line. We proved that his company had not informed the power company about the work, so they didn’t show off the electrical current. 

$3,045,000: Chemical plant manager Tristan suffered an electric shock injury after using a frayed extension cord in his temporary office. We sued the office supplier for providing faulty equipment. 

Why Choose IL Work Injury Lawyer

Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience in electrical accidents, having served over 5,000 clients in the past 25 years. We are a Super Lawyers-rated law firm with a flawless 10/10 AVVO rating and an A+ rating from the BBB, which represents our top-rated legal representation. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Electrical Injuries in Illinois?

Common causes of electrical shock accidents in Illinois include:

• Working too close to energized power lines
• Lack of personal protection, like insulated gloves or boots
• Faulty wiring or appliances, including kitchen appliances and power tools
• Inadequate training or safe workplace practices
• Failure to follow OSHA lockout/tagout procedures

What Are the Most Common Electric Shock Injuries?

When an electric current passes through the human body, it can have devastating consequences. High-voltage injuries, such as coming into contact with an overhead power line, may lead to permanent disability or death. Severe injuries that our lawyers see include:

• Severe electrical burns
• Nerve damage and neuropathy
• Cardiac arrest and arrhythmia
• Brain injuries due to oxygen deprivation
• Muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis
• Hearing or vision loss from arc blasts
• Death

What Damages Can Construction Workers Recover in Illinois?

Injured employees can make a workers’ compensation claim to cover their medical care and lost wages based on the Illinois state average weekly wage (SAWW). Construction workers’ comp can also cover rehabilitation expenses, such as vocational retraining and physical therapy.

There are four main categories of workers’ compensation based on your injury severity and when you can return to work. These are:

• Temporary Partial Disability: If you must perform light duty as you recuperate, you can receive part of the difference between your current and previous wages.
• Temporary Total Disability: Those who cannot return to work as they heal can receive wage compensation in addition to their medical expenses.
• Permanent Partial Disability: Injured workers who cannot return to their previous duties may receive part of the wage differential between their current and previous salaries. You can also claim retraining expenses.
• Permanent Total Disability: Some individuals cannot resume any job after workplace electrocution accidents, and they can receive maintenance payments to cover living expenses and medical care.

Surviving family members can receive death benefits from workers’ compensation, which are paid for 25 years or up to $500,000, whichever is greater. 

A third-party liability lawsuit following a construction accident will provide both economic and non-economic damages. These can include:

• Past and future medical costs
• Full lost wages and loss of earning potential
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life
• Funeral and burial expenses for death
• Punitive damages for gross negligence

What Is the Average Electrocution Injury Payout?

The average payout for electrical accidents is $2,408,799, with a range between $6,233 and $20,000,000. Several factors determine your payout, including injury severity and permanency, liable parties, and proof of negligence for third-party suits.

Example Cases

Ben Brackett was a lineman working on a power line transfer project for a phone company. The power company mistakenly told the phone company that the old utility pole had been de-energized, but it was actually active. Brackett touched the old utility pole and received a massive shock, dying instantly. His wife sued the utility company, and a jury awarded her $20,000,000.00. 

Mark Seyer was installing a new sign in front of an apartment complex when he touched a guy wire, sending 14,000 volts through his body. This guy wire should not have been electrified, indicating severe negligence. His parents sued for extreme emotional distress and were awarded $3,000,000.00 in court. 

Why You Need an Illinois Electrocution Accident Lawyer

These personal injury lawsuits often involve multiple liable parties, such as defective product manufacturers, utility companies like ComEd, agencies like the Chicago Transit Authority or the Chicago Department of Aviation, and building owners. 

Investigating electrocution accidents can be complex, involving OSHA violation reviews, utility records, and consultation with electrical safety experts or medical experts. We provide comprehensive legal help to victims, ensuring that all negligent parties are held liable. 

How Common Are Electrocution Injuries in Illinois?

Nationwide, approximately 150 workplace electrical fatalities occur every year. Construction injury statistics reveal that 74% of these occur in non-electrical occupations. In 2021, 14% of all fatal workplace accidents involved contact with objects or equipment, including electrical equipment. OSHA reports that since the beginning of 2024, nine workers have died in the Chicago region due to electrocution accidents. 

Where Do Electrical Shock Accidents Occur Most Often in Illinois?

Common sites of electrocution accidents include:

• Downtown Chicago high-rise sites, such as in the Loop
• Industrial areas in Pullman and South Deering
• Infrastructure projects, including the Jane Byrne Interchange, CTA Red Line expansion, and O’Hare renovations
• Agricultural operations in central and southern Illinois, like McLean County
• Suburban commercial projects in Joliet, Naperville, Schaumburg, and Bolingbrook

What Laws Govern Electrocution Injury Claims in Illinois?

Injured employees can receive workers’ compensation, which provides for living expenses and medical treatment (820 ILCS 305). This is a no-fault system, so you can receive benefits even if you were mostly at fault for the accident.

The court case McAllister v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission demonstrated that you must prove the injuries were directly connected to your employment and not an everyday risk. 

If a property owner or construction site manager was responsible for the accident, you can pursue a premises liability claim, which holds these parties liable for unsafe conditions at a work site (740 ILCS 130/2). For example, property owners must comply with the Chicago Electrical Code, including insulating wires and taking faulty equipment out of service (14B-27-2701). 

The Wrongful Death Act allows grieving family members to pursue damages for fatal construction accidents (740 ILCS 180/). Like premises liability, this requires proving that another party was primarily responsible for the electrical injuries under modified comparative negligence laws (735 ILCS 5/2-1116).

OSHA Electrical Standards

OSHA strictly regulates installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems both in general industry and in the electrical industry. These OSHA standards include:

• Properly installing and using equipment according to its intended use (1910.303(b)(2))
• Training all employees how to safely work with electrical equipment (1910.269(a)(2)(i)(A))
• Documenting electrical safety training (1910.269(a)(2)(viii))
• Identifying on-site electrical characteristics to protect employees (1910.269(a)(4))

How Long Do Injured Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

Workers’ comp has a statute of limitations of two years after last payment or three years after the electrical accident, whichever is later (820 ILCS 305/6(d)). 

For personal injury claims, you have two years after the accident to file (735 ILCS 5/13-202). This deadline also applies to wrongful death cases (740 ILCS 180/).

Who Is Liable for Electrocution Accidents in Illinois?

In Illinois, it is possible to sue more than one party due to the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act (740 ILCS 100/2). Each party’s role in the accident will be assessed, and they will share a portion of the liability. Potentially liable parties can include:

• The employer for workers’ comp claims
• Electrical contractors
• General contractors
• Utility companies
• Property owners
• Equipment or tool manufacturers

Our skilled attorneys will identify all negligent individuals or organizations and coordinate these third-party claims. 

Common Defenses in Illinois Electrocution Injury Cases

Companies will refuse to pay their share and will blame injury victims to reduce liability. Our experienced electrical accident lawyers will skillfully counter these common defenses, giving you the highest chance at a fair settlement. 

Worker Did Not Follow Procedures: The company will argue that you did not follow lockout/tagout procedures or wear proper equipment. Employment records, witness statements, and accident reports can refute this.

Worker Was Outside of Scope of Duties: While electricians are trained to manage electrical systems, other workplaces may not have these clearly defined roles, so companies can argue that the worker wasn’t trained in these skills and should not have been working with electrical systems. We will gather witness statements and consult with experts to show that you were acting in the scope of your employment.

Unforeseeable Weather Conditions: This argues that the company could not control the weather and the electric shock injury was solely due to bad weather. However, OSHA requires that electrical systems be designed to withstand weather conditions without causing injury (1910.307). We can show that if the defendant weren’t negligent, the weather would not have been a contributing factor.

No Product Defects: Tool and equipment manufacturers may argue that the defective product did not have design or manufacturing flaws, stating that it was faulty due to user error. Electrical engineers and other professionals can provide their impartial opinion of what caused the accident and whether defective manufacturing was to blame.

How to Strengthen Your Electrocution Injury Claim in Illinois

Prompt action will ensure you have a fair chance at a settlement. Follow these steps as soon as possible after an electrocution accident.

• Seek immediate medical attention from the closest emergency room.
• Report the injury to your employer in writing, and request a copy of the incident report.
• Document the accident scene, including any obvious hazards that could suggest liability.
• Preserve damaged equipment or tools.
• Gather contact information for witnesses.
• Gather any accident reports, employment records, and OSHA citations. 
• Contact our lawyers for a free case evaluation. 

How Our Illinois Electrocution Accident Lawyers Can Help

Our personal injury lawyers will help you review your legal options and build a strong case by thoroughly investigating the accident. We can assist you with the following tasks:

• Coordinating workers’ comp and third-party claims.
• Filing and appealing workers’ comp claims.
• Investigating OSHA violations and utility safety breaches.
• Evaluating your damages, including future medical expenses and lost wages. 
• Consulting with electrical safety experts, safe workplace consultants, and medical professionals.
• Aggressively negotiating with insurance companies and other third parties to ensure you receive a fair settlement offer.
• If necessary, preparing your case for trial and representing you in court. 

FAQs

What are the symptoms of an electrocution injury?

Symptoms include skin burns, muscle spasms, cardiac arrest, breathing issues, and seizures. In some cases, the victim will have only a minor burn but extensive internal injuries. 

What are the long-term effects of electrocution?

Long-term effects include neurological symptoms, irregular heartbeat, nerve damage, and chronic pain. 

Can you sue for being electrocuted?

If another person’s negligence caused your electrical injuries, then you can file a lawsuit to receive compensation. 

How do I know I have a case?

You can file a lawsuit if you can prove the four factors of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. This means that another individual or organization had a responsibility to protect you, the negligent party failed to uphold this duty, and this caused your electrical injuries and financial losses. 

Can I file a workers’ compensation and personal injury claim at once?

If a party other than your employer was responsible for the electrical accident, then you may file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer and a third-party claim against the other party. However, you cannot directly sue your employer for damages, as workers’ comp is designed to be the primary avenue for redress. 

How much does an electrocution accident lawyer cost in Illinois?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win. Our legal fees are deducted from your settlement or successful verdict. 

What if a utility company’s negligence caused my injury?

If a utility company caused the electrical accident, you may be able to sue them. However, if it is a government agency, you have less time to file and a higher bar of negligence to prove due to the Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/). These companies will aggressively protect themselves from lawsuits, making it essential that you work with a highly experienced law firm that is familiar with these cases. 

Book a Free Consultation

Our skilled personal injury attorneys fight hard to earn maximum compensation for workplace electrocution accidents. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if we win. Contact a Chicago workplace accident attorney us today for a free initial consultation about your legal options.