Do I Have to Sue My Employer to Receive Workers’ Comp for Electricians?

No, employees who sustain workplace injuries are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who caused the accident. In South Carolina, you typically cannot sue your employer for a workplace accident. There are situations in which you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party. For example, if you are an electrician employed by ACME Electric, and a factory contracts ACME Electric to replace faulty wiring and you suffer an injury while working at the factory, then you may have a legal claim against the factory owner if your injury was caused by the factory owner’s negligence. If you were harmed due to defective equipment at the factory, then you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Are Electrician Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Yes. Employers with four or more employers is required by state law to buy workers’ compensation insurance to protect injured workers. If an electrician is injured on the job, he or she can access workers’ comp benefits by reporting the injury and filing a workers’ comp claim. Workers’ comp for electricians in South Carolina covers: • Medical Care: This covers any medical costs – such as surgery and hospitalizations – related to your electrician work injuries. • Disability: Are your injuries so severe that you take time off work? You may receive disability benefits to replace a portion of your wages. • Rehabilitation: Some electrician work injuries require rehabilitation. Workers’ comp will cover these costs so you can return to work in the best condition possible after your accident. • Death Benefits: If your loved one died due to electrician work injuries, you may receive death benefits to cover the cost of funeral and burial expenses.

Am I Eligible for Benefits If the Injury Was My Fault?

Yes, you can still receive workers' compensation benefits, even if the injury was your fault. The workers’ compensation system in South Carolina is not based on fault, so there is no need to prove anyone was at fault. If you are unsure about your specific case, it’s a good idea to consult with a workers' compensation attorney to understand your rights and ensure you receive the benefits you're entitled to.

Electrician Injuries & Workers' Compensation

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Electricians play a vital role in keeping homes and businesses powered. But working with electricity comes with serious risks.

If you’re an electrician or an apprentice in South Carolina and you’ve been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Most employers in South Carolina are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to pay for medical care, rehabilitation, and partial wage replacement for employees harmed on the job.

Filing a workers’ comp claim for electrician injuries can be complicated. That’s where we come in. The attorneys at Joye Law Firm have been fighting for injured workers in South Carolina since 1968. If you were hurt in an accident, we’re here to help you navigate the claims process and fight for the compensation you need.

Contact us today at (888) 324-3100 to schedule a free case evaluation. We have offices located in Charleston, North Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Summerville, and Clinton, SC, and handle cases throughout South Carolina.

Common Injuries of Electricians in South Carolina

Working with electricity is inherently risky. Even the most experienced electricians who take safety precautions may sustain one or more work-related injuries during their career.

These are the most common electrician injuries we see:

Electrical Burns: Electricians may suffer burns due to direct contact with electrical current or from exposure to arc blasts. Arc blast explosions can create temperatures as high as 36,000 degrees, causing severe or even fatal burns within seconds. Even with treatment, burns can lead to secondary complications, such as infection or scarring. The severity of the injury depends on the amount of electrical current and the duration of exposure. If an electrician is exposed to too much electrical current, they can suffer fatal injuries due to electrocution.
Fractures and Broken Bones: Electricians often work on elevated platforms, such as on top of buildings, on ladders, and in other locations where they need to work on wiring or electrical fixtures. A misstep can cause an electrician to fall and sustain serious injuries or a fall may be a secondary injury if it was caused by exposure to an electrical current. Even if the electrical current didn’t injure the worker, the resulting fall could result in serious injuries.
Lacerations and Shrapnel Injuries: Electricians may suffer from lacerations and shrapnel-type injuries as well as shock injuries during an arc blast or electrical explosion. These injuries can be severe or fatal.
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: If an electrical explosion occurs and a worker is in close proximity, the noise of the blast can cause serious injury. Workers exposed to arc blasts and electrical explosions may suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears.
Electric Shock: Electricians often sustain electric shock injuries to their hands, since they use hand tools and power tools to work with wiring and electrical fixtures. Electric shock injuries may cause permanent damage, such as tingling sensations, and muscle weakness. Electric shocks sometimes cause a condition called compartment syndrome. This occurs when limbs swell due to muscle damage, which may compress vital arteries and lead to more serious health issues.
Severe Strains and Soft Tissue Damage: Electricians are at risk of harm caused by overexertion and repetitive movements. They often work in awkward positions and may sustain soft tissue injuries or repetitive stress injuries, requiring time off work or surgery and physical rehabilitation.
Mesothelioma: Electricians may be exposed to asbestos when working on older buildings that have asbestos-wrapped wiring or insulation containing asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by inhaling fine asbestos particles. Mesothelioma may develop in the lining of the lungs or the abdomen. All types of mesothelioma require chemotherapy and sometimes surgery.

Common Causes of Electrician Work Injuries

Electrician work injuries can occur under many circumstances. Although most electricians take precautions, they may still suffer on-the-job injuries.
Some of the most common sources of electrician injuries involve:

Contact with live wires: Electricians may accidentally touch exposed live wires while working on electrical systems, causing a direct flow of electrical current through the body and leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Currents above 10 milliamps can paralyze muscles so that an electrician cannot release a tool or wire, resulting in longer exposure to the shocking current.
Improper grounding of electrical equipment: If tools or equipment are not properly grounded, electricians risk electrical shock when using them, especially in damp or wet environments. This can result in arc blasts which release a tremendous amount of energy, generating extremely high temperatures. Arc blasts also produce a loud noise from the explosion.
Faulty circuit breakers or fuses: If circuit breakers or fuses malfunction and fail to shut off the power during an overload or short circuit, electricians can be exposed to dangerous electrical currents.
Working in wet conditions: Water is a highly conductive material. Electricians working in wet or humid environments, such as in flooded basements or during rainy weather, are more susceptible to electrocution.
Lack of proper insulation or personal protective equipment (PPE): Without properly insulated tools or protective barriers, electricians risk accidental contact with live electrical components, resulting in shocks or burns.
Failure to de-energize circuits: When circuits are not de-energized properly before maintenance or repairs, electricians may unknowingly come into contact with live components, leading to electrocution.
Falls and trip-related accidents: Working at heights on ladders or scaffolding while handling live wires can cause electrocution-induced muscle contractions, leading to loss of balance and falls. On the ground, cluttered work sites and bulky equipment increase the risk of trip-and-fall accidents, potentially resulting in broken bones or more serious injuries.
Overexertion and Repetitive Movements: On an average workday, electricians might have to repetitively perform the same task. They also must hold the same position and operate power tools for long periods of time. Overexertion and repetitive movements can lead to workplace injuries.
Exposure to Asbestos: The risk of asbestos exposure increases when electricians work on buildings that were constructed prior to the 1980s.

Electrical Hazards in Construction

Contact Joye Law Firm for electrocution lawsuits

Construction workers frequently operate around electrical equipment, circuits, and power lines, making electricity a dangerous hazard on job sites. Over a seven-year period, approximately 5,500 construction workers experienced electrical accidents—more than in any other industry, including utilities. Alarmingly, a construction laborer is more likely to suffer a fatal electrical injury than an electrical power line installer or repairer.

To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established numerous electrical safety regulations to prevent contact with power lines, improper grounding, and the misuse of electrical equipment. Non-compliance with these regulations not only endangers workers but can also serve as evidence of negligence in legal claims against third parties responsible for maintaining a safe work environment.