Overhead electric power lines are such a commonplace sight in the United States that few people are aware of their inherent danger – and some pay a terrible price as a result.
At Kline & Specter, our team of more than 50 skilled attorneys, several of whom are also doctors, has litigated many cases involving power line injuries and other forms of electric shock and secured substantial settlements for our clients.
We have the experience and expertise to investigate complex injury cases and take action against major utilities and corporations. We represent injured victims and their families in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the US.
Common Causes of Electric Shock Accidents
Electric shock accidents often result from unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, or human error.
In workplaces, especially construction sites and industrial settings, contact with exposed wiring, overhead power lines, or improperly grounded tools can lead to serious injuries. Defective appliances, frayed cords, and poorly maintained electrical systems are also frequent hazards in homes and businesses.
Water exposure near electrical sources greatly increases the risk of electrocution. In some cases, inadequate safety training or failure to follow proper protocols contribute to accidents as well.
Understanding these common causes can help identify who may be responsible and strengthen an electric shock injury claim.
Serious Injuries Caused by Electrical Accidents
Electrical accidents can result in severe, often life-altering injuries:
- High-voltage shocks may cause deep burns that damage skin, muscles, and underlying tissues, sometimes requiring extensive surgery or skin grafts.
- The electrical current can disrupt the heart's rhythm, leading to cardiac arrest or long-term heart complications.
- Nerve and muscle damage may cause chronic pain, weakness, or loss of mobility.
- In many cases, victims experience secondary injuries — such as broken bones or head trauma — from falls triggered by the shock.
- Severe cases can also lead to respiratory failure, brain injury, or even death.
Proving Liability in Electric Shock Injury Cases
Proving liability in electric shock injury cases involves showing that another party's negligence or wrongful actions directly caused the accident. This often requires:
- Evidence such as incident reports, photographs of hazardous conditions, maintenance or inspection records, and witness statements.
- Expert testimony from electricians, engineers, or safety professionals to explain how the accident occurred and whether safety codes were violated.
- OSHA regulations (in workplace cases).
- Product testing and design analysis information (in claims related to defective products).
Establishing liability is key to recovering compensation for medical costs, lost income, and other damages.
Compensation Available for Electric Shock Victims
Compensation for electric shock victims can cover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if the injury limits the ability to work. Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
In severe cases involving permanent disability, disfigurement, or wrongful death, compensation may also include funeral costs and loss of companionship for surviving family members.
The exact amount depends on the severity of the injuries, the impact on the victim's life, and the strength of the evidence presented in the claim.
What To Do After an Electric Shock Accident
After an electric shock accident, take the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if symptoms seem mild. Internal injuries or heart complications may not be immediately obvious.
- Call 911 for emergencies and follow all medical recommendations.
- If possible, document the scene by taking photographs of hazards, equipment, or conditions that may have contributed to the incident.
- Gather witness names and contact information.
- Report the accident to your employer, the property owner, or another relevant authority.
- Avoid touching or altering any equipment involved before it can be examined.
- Keep all medical records, bills, and correspondence related to the injury.
- Consult an experienced attorney, like those at Kline & Specter, to understand your legal rights and begin building a strong compensation claim.
Why Choose Kline & Specter?
Since 1995, the attorneys at Kline & Specter have fought for victims of severe and fatal injuries, including those related to electric shocks. The firm has a strong history of winning substantial verdicts and settlements for its clients.
In December 2012, Kline & Specter took on an electric shock case and secured a $109 million jury verdict, the largest personal injury verdict in Pennsylvania history, for Carrie Goretzka, a 39-year-old Pittsburgh-area woman who was killed after a high-voltage power line fell on her in her front yard. No adverse weather conditions existed at the time of the mishap.
In the Goretzka case, the lawsuit claimed that West Penn Power linemen failed to properly clean lines before placing them into splices, often using knives to clean lines or doing nothing at all, instead of using wire brushes in accordance with the manufacturer's and the power company's written instructions. On June 2, 2009, a poorly maintained power line fell on Carrie Goretzka, repeatedly shocking and burning her as her two young children watched. The same line had fallen five years earlier and scorched the Goretzkas' lawn. The case even became the subject of a book titled "Danger Above."
This was not the first time Kline & Specter successfully took on a utility company. In an earlier case, the firm's attorneys won a $40.5 million settlement – $11 million from Peco Energy Co. – on behalf of six people who died and six who were injured in an explosion and fire at an apartment complex. The blast occurred after heavy rains flooded a basement and dislodged a gas dryer. The lawsuit claimed that Peco had failed to provide an adequate shutoff or regulatory device to prevent an "overpressurization of gas" in the ruptured line.
Below are some additional cases that Kline & Specter's attorneys have handled:
- State regulators seek $4.5 million from Met-Ed over the death of a Williams Township teacher electrocuted in his backyard, Allentown Morning Call, 7/24/19
- West Penn Power to pay civil penalty in power line death case, Transmission Hub, 1/14/14
- PUC approves penalty against power company, Law360, 1/9/14; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 1/10/14
- Pa. Utility Will Pay $105M In Power Line Death Settlement, Law360 2/20/13
- Based on Specter's complaint, PUC sues to make the utility fix power lines, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 6/5/12, York Daily Record 6/5/12; WTAE-TV 6/5/12 (Watch Video)
- Shanin Specter interviewed on suit over power line death, 1/17/12 (Watch Video)
Discuss Your Case Today
If you or a loved one were severely or fatally injured by a downed utility power line, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Call Kline & Specter at 215-772-1000 or submit our contact form to discuss your case.
Kline & Specter provides free and confidential evaluations of potential cases. Kline & Specter handles cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. For cases outside those states, the law firm works with local attorneys in each state as applicable.
