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Electrocution / Electric Shock

How Does Electrocution Occur?

An electric shock is felt when someone makes direct contact with any source of electricity. As the electric current passes through the source, the electric shock is felt by the one making contact with it. The severity of injury depends on a couple of factors; voltage of the current and the amount of time contact was made. The injury sustained can range anywhere from a simple discomfort, to serious injury, or death. Unsupervised children are the most common to experience any range of electric shock, most commonly when electrical cords are bit into or when metal utensils (i.e. forks knives, scissors, paper clips) are stuck into outlets or appliances. Additionally, there is an increasing number of this type of injury when related to misuse of electric toys, appliances, or tools. Also, it must be noted that when any form of electric current makes contact with water in which any particular child is standing or sitting in, there arises another distinct possibility that the child will experience electric shock.

Detrimental Effects of Electric Shock

As stated previously, the manner in which an individual perceives electric shock is dependent on voltage and length of contact. With this said, anyone who has been unfortunate enough to experience such an injury will undoubtedly begin to face certain effects associated with the degree of their shock. First and foremost, the psychological effects from such an injury are quite common due to the unfamiliarity of the experience. There is also an existing possibility of internal injuries that may not be initially seen at the time of the shock; this includes heating and burning of tissue as well as heart complications. When current travels through the chest it can be lethal, because the current causes muscle contractions that can be so strong that the muscles within the heart are not able to move at all. The neurological effects that can be blamed on electric shock are due to interference in the central nervous system, which can directly complicate organs such as the lungs or heart. Electric shock that continuously takes place is responsible for neuropathy.

Products That Put Your Child at Risk

The most common household items and products that can be attributed to most children experiencing electric shock include electric stoves and ovens, hair dryers, electrical kitchen appliances, heating devices, televisions, and radios. What must be clear, however, is that supervision of children can eliminate most electric shock injuries as long as certain safety precautions are adhered to. The following is just a sample of products and items within the home that put your children at risk:

  • 1) Damaged or frayed electrical wires
  • 2) Electrical appliances utilized near water
  • 3) Metal utensils in an open outlet
  • 4) All forms of electricity near a swimming pool  

Legal Advice

Mark & Associates, P.C. is here to assist you if your child has suffered from electric shock and/or electrocution. Our attorneys have vast experience in such cases and we'd be happy to offer you a free consultation to analyze the liability involved following this devastating injury.