Primary Injury from Electric Shock
Electric shock injuries can be very traumatic. We care and want to help. Our attorneys have experience in this area and will give you expert representation. Call us today at 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.
Primary injuries occur when the current passes through the body, causing thermal burns, ventricular fibrillation, and / or neurological damage. Primary injury is usually related to the amount of electrical energy and the duration of the shock. Though some electrical burns may look minor, there still may be serious internal damage, especially to the heart, muscles, or brain.
Electric Shock: Thermal Burns
It is possible to receive an electric shock of significant duration and energy even from a household electric circuit. This is due to the fact that the electricity can cause muscles to contract so severely that the victim is unable to release the source of the electricity. When the electricity is converted into heat, it can result in varying degrees of thermal burn.
Thermal burns may:
- be only surface burns
- extend deep into the tissue
- include surface and deep tissue damage
- involve only deep tissue damage (no visible sign of burn)
Electric Shock: Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening abnormal twitching or quivering of heart muscle fibers. Electric shock can interfere with the heart’s rhythm. Interruption of the heartbeat for only a few seconds can lead to fainting and ultimately death without proper and immediate medical attention.
Electric Shock: Neurological Damage
Some degree of neurological impairment is frequently found in patients following electric shock injury. The types of impairments can include:
- peripheral neuropathy
- chronic pain syndrome
- seizure disorder
- aphasia (speech difficulty)
- ataxia (unsteady gait)
- paralysis
Outcome from neurological damage sustained from an electric shock is difficult to accurately predict. The symptoms can present immediately or be delayed in onset. In addition, the symptoms can be temporary, permanent, or degenerative.
Minnesota Electric Shock Injury Lawyer
The affect of an electric shock on an individual depends on the intensity of the voltage, the route the current took through the body, the person’s state of health, the speed and competency of treatment, and random mechanisms of injury.
The compensation received from the insurance companies depends on the knowledge, finesse, and aggressiveness of your lawyer. The attorneys at TSR Injury Law have all of that and more — they have persuasive negotiating skills and charisma in the courtroom. Contact a Minnesota Electric Shock Injury Lawyer at 612-362-0000.
