This guide looks at electric shock claims. If you suffered an electric shock in an accident at work caused by poor health and safety standards, you might be eligible to claim compensation. As we move through this guide, we explain how compensation is calculated for a successful claim and what criteria need to be met for you to pursue it.
After this, we explore the time limits that apply to personal injury claims and what evidence you should gather to best prove your case. In the final section, we look at how instructing a solicitor can help you build a strong compensation claim for an electric shock in the workplace.
You can get in touch at any point as you read. Our team is always on hand to answer any questions you have, such as ‘What is personal injury claim worth?‘ and ‘When am I eligible to claim a settlement?’. To get in touch, you can:
- Call our dedicated team on 0800 408 7826.
- Contact us online.
- Use the live chat function below.
Jump To A Section
- Compensation Calculator For Electric Shock Claims
- When Can You Claim For An Electric Shock At Work?
- Time Limits For Making An Electric Shock Compensation Claim
- What Do You Need To Claim For Electric Shock Injuries?
- Why Claim For An Electric Shock At Work On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Read More About Electric Shock Claims
Compensation Calculator For Electric Shock Claims
Compensation in a successful personal injury claim is calculated by looking at two heads of loss. General damages, the first head of loss, compensate the person for the pain and suffering caused by the accident and injuries. This can include psychological injuries and/or physical injuries.
Those responsible for calculating general damages can consult a medical report that give an in depth look at the damage caused by an electric shock in the workplace. If you decide to instruct a personal injury solicitor from our panel, they can help arrange an independent medical assessment for you, if necessary, which can generate this report.
In addition, reference can be made to a publication called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This provides a list of guideline valuation brackets for various injuries based on how severe they are.
Compensation Guidelines
Below, you can find a selection of figures from the JCG that are relevant to electric shock claims. However, these are not guaranteed compensation amounts and act only as a guide. Every electric shock injury claim will be different. Also, the top entry is not from the JCG.
After looking at the table, you can use our compensation calculator to get an estimate of what you could potentially be owed for your injuries.
| Area of Harm | Severity | Notes | Guideline Award Brackets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Financial Losses | Severe | Cases here reflect multiple severe injuries and the costs associated through loss of earnings and medical expenses. | Up to £1 million plus |
| Brain Damage | (b) Moderately Severe | The injured person has a very serious disability that's either cognitive or physical in nature. They are substantially dependent on others and require constant care from a professional. | £219,070 to £282,010 |
| (c) Moderate (i) | Moderate to severe intellectual deficit, a change in personality, an effect on the senses, a significant epilepsy risk and no employment prospects. | £150,110 to £219,070 | |
| Facial Disfigurement | (a) Very Severe Scarring | Cases where the cosmetic effect is very disfiguring and the psychological reaction is severe for younger claimants. | £29,780 to £97,330 |
| (b) Less Severe Scarring | Cases of disfigurement that is substantial and the psychological reaction is significant. | £17,960 to £48,420 | |
| (c) Significant Scarring | This bracket covers cases where the most extreme effects have (or will be) reduced by cosmetic/plastic surgery leaving some cosmetic disability and a lesser psychological reaction. | £9,110 to £30,090 | |
| Scarring to Other Parts of the Body | Serious | Burns that cover 40% or more of the body. | Likely to exceed £104,830 |
| Chest | Injury to the Chest, Lung(s), and/or Heart | There is permanent damage, function impairment, physical disability, and a reduced life expectancy. | £100,670 to £150,110 |
Special Damages In Electric Shock Claims
The second head of loss that may be a factor in your compensation payout is called special damages. It compensates you for financial loss and monetary harm caused by the injuries.
However, to have these amounts included in your claim, it is necessary to put forward proof. Some examples include:
- Payslips that show a loss of earnings.
- Paid invoices that show domestic care costs.
- Receipts or copies of prescriptions to show any medical expenses.
- Travel tickets that show transport expenses.
For more information on how much compensation you could be owed, you can contact our dedicated team on the number above. They can provide a free valuation of your potential claim.
When Can You Claim For An Electric Shock At Work?
An electric shock can cause serious burns and depending on the voltages involved, can be fatal. Employers have a responsibility with regard to your health and safety at work to reduce the risk of injury.
The duty of care they owe is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) and requires them to take practicable and reasonable steps to prevent the risk of harm to employees at work and while they are performing their jobs.
If you suffered harm due to faulty electrics whilst working, you might wonder whether you can claim electric shock compensation.
A valid electric shock claim needs to show that your injury was caused by a breach of the duty of care owed to you by your employer. The injury could be physical and/or psychological, such as emotional pain and suffering.
What Steps Should An Employer Take To Reduce The Risk Of An Electric Shock At Work?
In addition to HASAWA, which is the central piece of workplace health and safety legislation, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 was enacted to ensure employers take precautions against the risk of death or injury from activities involving electricity at work.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, an independent regulator for workplace safety and health in Great Britain, there are several hazards involved with working with electricity. Examples include electric shocks and burn injuries resulting from contact with live parts, injury from exposure to electricity jumping from one circuit to another, fire from faulty electrical equipment and explosion due to using unsuitable equipment.
There are also certain actions employers must take, including making sure that competent people are tasked with the work and carrying out a risk assessment. The risk assessment should identify:
- Who could be at risk of harm.
- The level of risk and how this has been established.
- The actions taken to control the risks, such as providing personal protective equipment or training.
Failure to meet these health and safety standards could result in an electric shock causing different injuries, such as scarring, nerve damage, heart damage, and brain damage.
Find out when electric shock claims are possible by calling an advisor on the number above. They can also advise on the steps involved in claiming compensation.
Time Limits For Making An Electric Shock Compensation Claim
Under the terms of the Limitation Act 1980, there is a time limit of three years that normally applies to personal injury claims. This can begin from the date of the accident. However, there are circumstances where this can vary. For instance:
- People under 18 cannot start a claim themselves so the time limit is paused. The courts may appoint a litigation friend to launch a case for them. If no claim has been made, the person has three years starting from the date of their 18th birthday to claim themselves.
- Claimants who lack the mental capacity to launch a personal injury claim themselves have the time limit paused indefinitely. However, they can also have a litigation friend appointed during this type. Should mental capacity return, the three-year time limit will commence from the date of recovery.
For further guidance on the time limits for electric shock claims, call an advisor on the number above.
What Do You Need To Claim For Electric Shock Injuries?
To give electric shock claims their best chance of success, it’s important to gather evidence that proves employer negligence. Therefore, you should consider taking the following steps when building your electric shock compensation claim:
- Try to obtain any CCTV footage that clearly shows the incident.
- Keep a diary that details any medical treatment that you needed. Also, record the emotional and/physical
- Get copies of medical reports and medical records.
- Take photos of your electric shock injuries and the electrical hazard that caused them.
- Get the contact details for any witnesses. A supporting statement collected at a later date could help your case.
- Obtain a copy from the workplace accident book.
Collecting supporting evidence is something that a solicitor could help with. If you are interested in obtaining legal representation, you can call our team.
If you have a valid claim, they can connect you to one of the personal injury solicitors on our panel with the expertise to guide you through every stage of the electric shock claims process.
Why Claim For An Electric Shock At Work On A No Win No Fee Basis?
You might benefit from instructing a solicitor to help with your claim for an electric shock injury.
The solicitors on our panel are able to provide expert services to eligible claimants via a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This is a type of No Win No Fee contract and it extends the following advantages:
- Firstly, upfront solicitors fees are not applicable. Similarly, no fees apply for the solicitor’s services as the claim moves forward.
- Should the claim have an unsuccessful outcome, under this arrangement the solicitor asks for no fees for completed services on your case.
- Electric shock injury claims that see a successful outcome require a success fee to be paid. This is a percentage of the compensation and is deducted after you receive the award. To ensure that you receive the majority of your settlement, the percentage solicitors are allowed to take is capped by law.
For more information about working with a No Win No Fee solicitor, get in touch with an advisor. They may be able to connect you with a solicitor from our panel if your claim is eligible. Simply:
- Call our dedicated team on 0800 408 7826.
- Contact us online.
- Use the live chat function below
Read More About Electric Shock Claims
You may find these other guides from us useful:
- Here is a complete guide to calculating compensation for bodily injury claims.
- This guide explores how much you could claim for a personal injury after an accident.
- Find out how serious injury compensation is calculated.
Also, here are some external resources:
- Advice about electric shocks in a first aid guide from the NHS.
- Information on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from GOV.UK.
- Guidance and advice about electrical safety at work from the HSE.
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide on compensation calculations for electric shock claims. If you have any other questions, please contact an advisor on the number above.