Earlier this month, two construction workers were taken to the hospital after suffering from electric shock at a construction site in New Hanover County, NC.  According to an official report from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, a construction crew operated a crane on the construction site between two main streets. The crane collided with a main power line, causing an explosion.

It is unclear whether the workers operating the crane were being negligent of their responsibilities. Construction work is an essential industry, but one of the most dangerous. Before workers make vital contributions, the foreman and site manager are responsible for ensuring it is safe on and off site. Unfortunately, two members of the crew were injured.

Local emergency services were called to transport them to the hospital. Their conditions are still unknown. If an accident like this were to take place in California, it would be best for the injured employees to retain a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible for the best chance at compensation. Most construction workers report needing to take time off to recover from injuries.

What Happens After Electric Shock

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), four of the biggest fatality risks construction workers can experience at work are steep falls, electrocution, getting pinned in-between machinery, and struck by objects.

Unlike the other fatality risks, electric shock can burn external and internal tissue and organs when currents are running through one’s body. If the construction workers were bolted with high voltage for a prolonged period of time, they can experience:

  • Losing consciousness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Breathing problems
  • Seizures
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Problems with hearing
  • Burns

When someone is getting electrocuted, there are several important steps to keep in mind. In most cases the construction crew will be well-prepared. Read on to learn more:

  • Do not touch someone that is still getting shocked with an electric current.
  • Do not move someone who has been shocked, unless necessary.
  • Turn off the flow of electricity if possible, or more the source of electricity away. When doing so, use wood or rubber. Avoid using wet or metal-based items.
  • As a bystander, try to stay 20 feet away if the victim was shocked by high voltage power lines *that are still on.
  • Call 911 whether the incident resulted in minor or severe injuries.
  • Check the breathing and pulse periodically. You may have to initiate CPR if the situation permits.
  • Cover exposed burns with sterile gauze. Avoid Band-Aids or anything that can stick to the open wound.
  • Keep the victim warm.

Remain Alert and Hire A Lawyer

For any construction worker in California, it is important that they remain alert and aware of their surroundings on site. Although the foreman and site manager are responsible for making sure the site is safe and the equipment is being used properly, construction workers should still be proactive in preserving their well-being at work. Essential workers face serious injuries or death every day. Unfortunately, most employers put profits over their staff, which put them at a greater risk. Outside of filing a workers’ compensation claim, hire a construction injury lawyer in Los Angeles, to preserve your rights and hold negligent employers or employees accountable.