Compensation for Work-Related Explosions and Electrocutions in Indiana

How to apply for workers’ comp after suffering injuries from explosion or electrocution

Explosions and electrocutions can cause serious injuries, and they can happen anywhere. However, injuries related to electrocution and explosion are especially common in certain workplaces. Construction workers frequently come into contact with live wires, which puts them at high risk of getting electrocuted.

Some of the professions most at risk include utility workers, electricians, cable operators and construction workers. Construction sites often hire companies to ensure the safety of the workers; however, this is clearly not enough since explosions and electrocutions still regularly occur.

In most cases, electrocutions happen due to failure to follow the safety measures or simple carelessness.

If you’ve been injured after an explosion or electrocution at work, it’s important to reach out to an experienced Indiana workers’ compensation attorney right away to ensure your rights are honored.

What injuries are caused by electrocutions and explosions?

Electrocution can cause a wide range of injuries, which vary in severity. The injury caused will depend on the type and level of electric current. Also, the injury may vary depending on how the electric current entered and traveled through the body.

Low-voltage current can cause shock, but not usually permanent damage. By comparison, a high-voltage current can cause serious damage to the victim’s body and even result in a heart attack or death.

Some of the common injuries caused by electrocution include:

The severity of the injuries depends on various factors, which include:

• Duration of exposure to electric current. The longer the exposure to electric current, the more severe the injuries.
• Pathway of the electric current. The direction the electric current takes when traveling through your body determines the tissues that will be affected and how severe the injuries will be.
• The intensity of the voltage. High voltage is riskier and causes severe injuries as compared to low voltage.
• Resistance to current. The skin’s resistance to the flow of electrical current lowers when broken or when wet. Therefore, when your skin is wet, the current flows more easily and causes more damage.
• Type of electric current. Direct current causes a single muscle contraction, enabling someone to move away from the current source. The alternative current causes continuous muscle contraction and makes it harder for someone to release their grip from the source. This increases exposure time and causes severe injuries.

Common causes of electrocution injuries at work

Electrocution injuries are a result of electric current entering and traveling through your body. When the electric current travels, it interferes with the functioning of your internal organs, and it might also burn the tissues. The electric current has heat, which also destroys the tissues.

Some electrocution injuries might look minor on the outside, but cause massive damages on the inside. These injuries become severe when it affects the heart, brain and muscles.

Some of the major causes of electrocution injuries at work are:

Does workers’ comp apply to injured workers in an explosion or electrical accident?

Injuries caused by the explosion and electrical accidents can be devastating. The injuries can be severe and put you out of work temporarily or permanently. The time you spend in recovery and out of work may be difficult because you still have bills and medical expenses to pay.

If the injury occurred while at work, you are most likely eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

In Indiana, workers’ compensation offers most injured workers financial benefits that help them cover the medical bills, lost wages and living expenses during recovery. In order to obtain these benefits, you’ll need to report the accident to your employer immediately after getting the injury and receive medical treatment as soon as possible.

Regardless of the cause of injury, your best bet for the highest benefits is to engage an experienced workers’ compensation attorney near you. Your injuries might take months or years to heal, and you will need compensation to take you through the full recovery period.

Some of the benefits that Indiana workers’ compensation can provide injured workers include:

• Payment of medical bills, including doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, surgery and medication
• Payment of your lost wages during the period when you will be temporarily or permanently out of work
• In case of death, compensation of funeral and burial expenses after the loss
• Payment of vocational training to get another job in case you are unable to resume your work

When to hire an Indiana workers’ compensation attorney

Injuries caused by explosions and electrocution can be catastrophic and very serious. You may be unable to work for a while or permanently, making it hard for you to pay your bills and take care of your treatment. In other cases, electrocution can cause death and cost your family a loved one, as well as funeral expenses.

When you hire a lawyer, they can help you understand your rights and receive due compensation by negotiating with your employer and their insurance company. Your attorney will also make sure that important deadlines are met and the proper paperwork is filed.

If you’ve been injured on the job, reach out to our team at Finderson Law right away. During your free initial consultation, we can explain your legal options and begin the battle of fighting for your rights and the compensation you’re owed.