Introduction to Personal Injury Claims for Electricians

About Electricians injured at work

When thinking of the types of hazard an electrician is likely to face at work, the most obvious one to come to mind is an electric shock or electrocution.

Although electric shocks are a risk faced by electricians on a daily basis there are also many other hazards which cause injuries to electricians at work.

Due to the hazardous nature of the job, it is imperative that electricians are provided with adequate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) by their employer which can often prevent or at least minimise any injuries suffered.

If you have been injured whilst working as an electrician and the accident was someone else's fault, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation.

To find out how Thompsons Solicitors may be able to help you, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

Type of Hazards faced by electricians at work

Common injuries suffered by electricians

Electricians can be exposed to a lot of different hazards while at work.  There are some hazards which apply to most workers such as slipping or tripping at work but some hazards which apply only to certain professions.

Some of the most common accidents and injuries suffered by electricians at work are listed below.  If you have been injured in circumstances we have not mentioned, we may still be able to help you. To discuss the individual circumstances of your accident, to find out if it is something we can help you with, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

You will be under no obligation to instruct us.

Falls from height

As part of their job, electricians often have to work at height, installing or repairing electrical cables or equipment in ceilings, roof spaces, on ladders or on elevated platforms.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (amended in 2007) are intended to protect everyone who has to work at height including electricians and employers have a duty to keep their workers safe from injury.

You can read more about working at height on our Falls from Height at Work page.

Electric shocks and electrocutions

Electric shocks can vary in severity from minor burns and aching limbs to heart problems and fatalities.

Some of the electric shock personal injury claims we have dealt with at Thompsons Solicitors involve circumstances where an electrician has been told that the power has been turned off in the area being worked on and this is not the case.

Exposure to asbestos

At Thompsons Solicitors, our team of expert solicitors who specialise in claims involving asbestos have dealt with countless cases for electricians negligently exposed to asbestos at work.

If you have recently been exposed to asbestos, please visit our information page called Recent Asbestos Exposure.

If you were exposed to asbestos as an electrician years ago and have now been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness as a result, we may be able to help you make a claim for compensation.  We can help with claims for pleural thickening, asbestosis, mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer.

Dangerous Machinery

Electricians need to use a lot of different tools as part of their job and these should all be inspected regularly and maintained to a high standard of repair.  Electricians often also come into contact with other pieces of machinery either while installing them or repairing them.

Dangerous machinery can cause lacerations, crush injuries and amputations.

Building Site Accidents

Electricians are frequently required to work on building sites to install wiring while the rest of the construction work is carried out.

Building sites are extremely dangerous places to work and following good health and safety practices is paramount.

You can read more about our expertise in the dealing with this type of claim by visiting our Building Site Accident Claims page.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAW Regulations)

Regulations to protect workers from accidents involving electricity

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 or EAW Regulations as they are often called were brought into force to protect  workers from death and injury caused by electricity.  The regulations form part of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and place duties on employers, employees and self-employed people.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 cover all electrical systems and equipment including those which were manufactured or installed before the regulations came into place.

The main points of the regulations state that:

  • All electrical systems should (so far as is reasonably practicable) be of safe construction and be well maintained.
  • Work being carried out on or near electrical systems and electrical equipment should be carried out in such a way as to avoid danger.
  • Any personal protective equipment (PPE) provided must be suitable and properly maintained and used.

If you have suffered an injury at work involving electricity, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.  To discuss your accident and how Thompsons Solicitors may be able to help you, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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