Electricians work dangerous jobs and can suffer injuries if they are not careful and if they are not trained properly. While some electricians work for themselves, other electricians work for a company and are entitled to workers' compensation benefits depending on the laws of their state. However, you may run into some obstacles as you attempt to seek compensation for your injuries.
Common Electrician Injuries
Electricians work on appliances that generate electrical currents. This can lead to electrical shocks and burns that can leave an electrician in the hospital. Workers also perform electrical work at a high altitudes and can suffer falls. Electrical burns can result from direct contact with the electrical current. A burn can also result from exposure to an arc blast explosion. This can cause serious burn injuries that might even be fatal. An explosion can also lead to injuries caused by shrapnel that is flung by the explosion. Electric shock can affect any part of the body but electricians are most likely to suffer electric shocks on their hands. You might permanently suffer from muscular weakness due to the electric shock. Limbs can swell as a result of muscle damage, which can lead to more serious injuries. Also, if you're shocked while working at a high altitude, you're more likely to fall.
You are Entitled to Compensation for Electrician Injuries
Regardless of how you are injured while at work, you should speak with a workers' compensation lawyer to find out if you're entitled to benefits. Even if you believe that your injuries are your fault, you will still be entitled to benefits unless:
- You were drunk or were abusing substances
- You were committing a crime
- You injured yourself intentionally
- You were injured while performing an action that was against company policy
Simply being careless is not enough for you to lose your workers' compensation benefits as an electrician. If you are accused of any of these actions, contact a workers compensation lawyer as soon as possible.
Avoid Worker's Compensation Denials
Workers' Compensation insurance providers will look for reasons to deny your claim so they do not have to compensate you for your injuries. For example, if you don't receive medical treatment promptly or if you do not see the physician who represents the insurance provider, you may not receive compensation for your electrical injuries. You also may not receive compensation if you do not follow the recommendations of your treating physician.
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