By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 16th April 2024. This guide shows you how to make an electric shock compensation claim.
You can find answers to questions such as ‘What is the average compensation payout for an electric shock?’, ‘Can I sue for being electrocuted?’ and ‘How long could an electrocution injury last?’
We also discuss how to claim compensation for an electric shock at work and the useful role that No Win No Fee agreements play in personal injury claims.
If you have been injured by an electric shock due to an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party or your next of kin was killed by electrocution, you could be entitled to compensation.
Trust Accident Claims UK to help you make an electrocution or electric shock injury claim for compensation.
You can call today on 0800 073 8801 for your free legal consultation.
If we think you have a legitimate case for making electric shock injury compensation claims, we will provide you with the right No Win No Fee solicitor to handle your case.
You can also learn more by browsing the menu below:
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- Can I Make An Electric Shock Compensation Claim?
- Types Of Electric Shock Injuries
- What To Do If You Get An Electric Shock
- How Much Could Be Awarded For Electic Shock Injury Compensation Claims?
- No Win No Fee Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claims
- Make A Personal Injury Claim Today
- Useful Links Relating To Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claims
Can I Make An Electric Shock Compensation Claim?
This guide has been put together for those seeking information on making an electric shock compensation claim. In general, to be eligible to claim compensation for an electric shock, you must have suffered electric injuries caused by someone’s negligent breach of a duty of care they had towards you.
This might have been an employer who would have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Furthermore, the party in control of a public space could breach the duty of care they owe under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, causing you injury.
If any such party failed to adequately ensure electrical items were safe to use, or the electric supply was safe and caused you an injury as a result, this could give you the right to launch a claim. Should someone have died of their injuries due to such negligence, eligible family members could be eligible to claim compensation too.
If you want to check whether you meet the eligibility criteria for personal injury claims, please get in touch. An advisor could provide you with free advice over the phone.
Types Of Electric Shock Injuries
For electric shock injury compensation claims, there are four types of injuries that you could experience as the result of an electric shock. It is important to understand how these different types of electric shock injuries occur and what the consequences of these injuries are, as the average compensation for an electric shock can vary depending on the type of injury the victim receives. These are the four main types of injuries from an electric shock
- Electric shock: An electric shock happens when an electric charge runs through the body, usually entering the body through the hand or the foot. Electric shocks can cause damage to the internal organs. Even a small shock can cause extensive damage, so no matter how big or small the shock may feel it is important to undergo a medical examination as soon as possible after your electric shock injury, to see whether or not you require further medical treatment.
- Burns: There are two types of burns you can experience as a result of an electric shock. You can experience a thermal burn, from the arc flash and blast or an electric burn as the current passes through your tissues.
- Electrocution: Electrocution means death by electric shock. Unfortunately, electrocution is more common than you might think
Further signs of an electric shock injury could be an irregular pulse, cardiac arrest, or damage to the nervous system. However, even a minor electric shock can harm your internal organs. For example, if you’ve been injured by an electric shock from a plug, although the injury could be minor, it’s important that you visit a doctor right away and seek medical attention.
To find out if you are eligible to make a claim, speak to an advisor for free using the contact details found in this guide.
What To Do If You Get An Electric Shock
Whether you suffer an electrocution injury at work or get an electric shock burn in a public place, it could be wise to seek medical attention. Whether you’ve suffered a minor electric shock or a more severe injury, medical records could also be useful evidence for a potential claim.
If you intend to make a personal injury compensation claim for an electric shock, there are some steps you can take to help your case:
- See if any CCTV footage captured the accident. Plus, take photos of the incident site and your injuries if possible.
- Report the accident. If it happens at work, it should be recorded in the accident book if there is one. For electrocution accidents in public places, you could e-mail the responsible party, such as the local council.
- Collect contact details of any witnesses. They could be approached for a statement to back up your claim.
- Get legal advice. You can call us free of charge, and we’ll assess whether you could make a claim and discuss the electric shock claims process.
How Much Could Be Awarded For Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claims?
Compensation is awarded based on the unique factors of each case, which can make it hard to pinpoint the average compensation for an electric shock. However, we can still offer some insight into how compensation is calculated in personal injury claims, and what this compensation could be made up of.
When you make a successful personal injury claim, you will receive general damages. This is the first of two potential heads of claim, and it covers the pain and suffering that you endure as a result of your injuries, as well as the effect these injuries will have on your life.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) can be used to help calculate general damages, as it lists common injuries at differing severities with corresponding guideline compensation brackets. Below, you can see some examples of these guidelines that could be relevant to an electric shock injury.
Please note that these are guideline amounts and are not guaranteed. Additionally, the first entry in this table is not from the JCG.
| Type of injury and severity | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries And Special Damages | Multiple severe injuries and financial losses, like lost earnings. | Up to £200,000+ |
| Scarring to Other Parts of the Body | Burns to the body. How much is awarded will depend on various factors such as the percentage of the body affected, the cosmetic impact, and the psychological impact. | Likely to exceed £127,930 |
| Scarring to Other Parts of the Body | A singular disfiguring scar to the legs, arms, back or chest, or a number of noticeable laceration scars. | £7,830 to £22,730 |
| Scarring to Other Parts of the Body | Several superficial or one noticeable scar on the legs, arms or hands with a minor cosmetic deficit. | £2,370 to £7,830 |
| Very Severe Facial Scarring | Applicable to younger claimants in their teens to early 3's where there is a very disfiguring cosmetic effect and a severe psychological reaction. | £36,340 to £118,790 |
| Less Severe Facial Scarring | A substantial disfigurement and the psychological reaction is significant. | £21,920 to £51,090 |
| Significant Facial Scarring | The worst effects will have been reduced with plastic surgery leaving some cosmetic disability. | £11,110 to £36,720 |
| Less Significant Facial Scarring | Multiple small scars or one scar that do not markedly affect the appearance of the person. | £4,820 to £16,770 |
| Trivial Facial Scarring | There is only a minor effect. | £2,890 to £9,560 |
What Are Special Damages?
Special damages is the second head of claim that you could potentially receive. Unlike general damages, not everyone will receive compensation under this heading. This is because it covers the financial losses caused by your injuries.
For example, if you were unable to work for a month following your electric shock injury and this caused you to lose wages, they could potentially be recouped under special damages.
Under this heading, you could also potentially claim back the cost of:
- Prescriptions.
- Cosmetic aids.
- Mobility aids.
- Home adjustments.
- Childcare.
- Travel.
Get in touch with our team of helpful advisors today to learn more about claiming compensation for an electric shock injury. Or, read on to find out how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help you.
No Win No Fee Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claims
You aren’t obligated to work with a legal professional on your claim. However, choosing to work with a solicitor can come with a number of benefits. For example, you can’t take down witness statements yourself, but a solicitor could do it for you. Likewise, a solicitor can arrange for you to undergo an independent medical assessment.
One of the benefits of working with our No Win No Fee solicitors is that they’ll offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) before beginning any work on your case. This means that you won’t need to pay them an upfront fee for them to start working on your claim, and you won’t need to pay for their services if your claim fails.
If you make a successful electric shock claim with the help of a solicitor, their payment will be taken in the form of a success fee. This success fee is deducted from your compensation as a legally-capped percentage, which you and your solicitor will agree upon before work starts.
Contact Our Team
Our team of advisors are here to help. If you’d like to learn more about making a personal injury claim after suffering an electric shock, contact us today by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8801
- Starting your claim online
- Using the live chat feature
Useful Links Relating To Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claims
- An NHS guide to first aid
Find out further information on the effects of an electric shock injury and how to treat them. - The Electrical Safety First website
Information and advice on safety around electricity with the Electrical Safety First site. - This guide explains making a claim for permanent facial scar compensation under personal injury law
- This guide discusses claiming nerve damage compensation in detail. You can learn all about the claims process and the average payout.
Thank you for reading our electric shock injury compensation claims guide. We hope you found the information presented useful and would like to reiterate that you can speak to our specialist advisors – anytime, any day – if you’d like to learn more.
