Electrocution Accident Attorney in New York
SKILLED help from a New York electrocution accident lawyer
Electric shocks on New York jobsites are fast, violent, and often life-changing. From live panels on Midtown towers to temporary power at outer borough warehouses, a split second can leave a worker with burns, nerve damage, cardiac complications, or permanent disability. If you or a loved one was hurt, you need an electrocution accident attorney New York workers can rely on to move quickly and build a winning case.
Schotter Millican, LLP is dedicated to protecting injured workers across all five boroughs and surrounding counties. We understand union rules, site safety plans, Industrial Code requirements, and how New York Labor Law applies to electrical hazards on construction sites, building renovations, transit facilities, and utility work. Our team knows how to secure evidence before it disappears and hold owners, contractors, subcontractors, and equipment makers accountable.
Call us at (718) 550-0610 or fill out our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Who We Represent And How We Prove Electrocution Cases In New York
Electrocution injuries strike electricians, apprentices, laborers, carpenters, HVAC techs, utility crews, delivery drivers, custodial staff, and visitors who are exposed to unsafe power. We represent union and nonunion workers, independent contractors, and families after fatal incidents. Our investigation focuses on finding every party responsible and every insurance policy available so you have the resources to recover.
We act fast to preserve site conditions, request incident reports, and secure photos, video, and witness statements. We work with electrical engineers, human factors professionals, life care planners, and treating physicians to link the unsafe condition to your injuries and to prove the full scope of your losses. When necessary, we file suit and push for a trial to force meaningful settlement discussions.
Common electrocution hazards on New York worksites
Live junction boxes left uncovered during renovations. Improperly grounded temporary lighting. Damaged extension cords run through puddles. Missing GFCI protection on portable tools. Exposed bus bars in switchgear. Overhead lines not deenergized during crane operations. Faulty lockout tagout. Each of these hazards violates basic safety rules and often breaches the duties imposed by New York Labor Law and the Industrial Code.
Evidence That We Move To Secure Quickly
We send immediate preservation requests and, when needed, apply to the court for orders that protect evidence. Our team pursues photographs of the condition, site safety logs, Job Hazard Analyses, daily reports, toolbox talk records, utility one call documentation, lockout tagout logs, maintenance records, and electrical drawings. We also obtain ambulance records, emergency department notes, toxicology reports where relevant, and cardiac monitoring results because arrhythmias and neurological deficits are common after electric shock.
Damages Available in an Electrocution Case
Depending on the facts, you may claim medical expenses, future care and rehabilitation, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement and scarring, and the loss of household services. In a wrongful death case, eligible family members may pursue funeral expenses and other damages permitted by New York law. We document the financial and human impact from day one so insurers cannot minimize your losses.
Your Rights Under New York Law After An Electrical Injury
New York offers multiple, complementary paths to compensation when an electrical incident occurs on a job. Choosing the right path early can protect both your health and your case. Below are the key routes we analyze for every client.
Workers’ compensation benefits for electrocution injuries
If you suffered an electrocution or electric shock on the job, you are generally covered by New York workers’ compensation. Benefits can include payment for all authorized medical care related to electrical injuries, such as treatment for burns and arc flash wounds, cardiac or respiratory complications, neurological damage, vision or hearing loss, and secondary trauma from falls caused by the shock. If you cannot work while you recover, you may receive a portion of your lost wages. For permanent impairments, you may qualify for schedule loss of use awards to the affected body parts or other permanent disability benefits.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, but it does not pay full damages like pain and suffering. When a negligent third party contributed to the electrocution, such as a property owner, general contractor, utility company, or the manufacturer of a defective tool or power source, we coordinate your comp claim with a third party lawsuit. Our goal is to align the cases, protect your benefits and any lien issues, and maximize your overall financial recovery.
Third party lawsuits under Labor Law sections 200, 240, and 241
When an owner or general contractor fails to provide a safe workplace, New York Labor Law can make them responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions and inadequate protection. Section 200 addresses general site safety. Section 240, sometimes called the scaffold law, concerns elevation related risks which can combine with electrical hazards on lifts, ladders, or scaffolds. Section 241 requires compliance with detailed Industrial Code rules during construction and demolition. Many electrical injuries stem from violations of these duties, such as missing covers, noncompliant temporary power, or lack of GFCI protection. We evaluate each section and cite the Industrial Code provisions that fit your circumstances.
Other responsible parties we investigate
Electrical subcontractors who wired the temporary service. Equipment rental companies that supplied defective lifts or generators. Manufacturers of tools and components with design or warning defects. Property managers who failed to control access to energized spaces. Utility companies whose work created dangerous conditions. We pursue each entity whose negligence or product played a role and stack insurance coverage to reach a complete recovery.
Dealing with utilities and public authorities
Some electrocution injuries involve underground or overhead lines owned by utilities or work in transit or municipal facilities. These matters can require notices of claim and fast deadlines that do not apply in private cases. If a city or public authority is involved, you may need to serve a notice of claim in as little as 90 days. We track and meet these deadlines, identify the correct entities, and file the right documents so your claim is preserved.
Statutes of limitation and time sensitive steps
Civil cases are controlled by strict time limits. Many personal injury claims in New York must be filed within three years, and wrongful death claims are often due within two years. Claims against public entities can have shorter timelines as noted above. Evidence in electrical cases disappears quickly. We advise clients to contact a lawyer immediately so we can secure the site, obtain records, and coordinate medical care while deadlines are met.
How electrocution injuries present and why documentation matters
Electrical injuries can cause thermal burns, deep tissue damage, arrhythmias, respiratory issues, cognitive deficits, neuropathy, and psychological trauma. Sometimes a worker looks outwardly unharmed but suffers serious internal injury. We urge clients to follow up with specialists and to report every symptom. Consistent treatment records help your recovery and also prove the link between the event and your condition.
What to do after an electrocution accident in New York
Report the incident to your employer and request that an incident report be completed. Seek immediate medical care, even if symptoms seem minor. Photograph the condition if it is safe to do so and collect the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Do not give recorded statements to insurance carriers or sign releases before speaking with counsel. Contact Schotter Millican, LLP so we can begin preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONs
Do I need an electrocution accident attorney in New York right away?
Yes. Electrical hazards are often corrected within hours, and temporary power systems change daily. A fast response lets us photograph the condition, request records, and notify responsible parties to preserve evidence while your medical team documents injuries.
What if my employer says I cannot sue because of workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation may bar lawsuits against your direct employer, but you can often bring claims against owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and other third parties whose negligence caused the hazard. We evaluate all potential defendants and coordinate your comp and civil cases.
How can an electrocution accident lawyer in New York prove fault if I touched a live part?
New York law focuses on whether owners and contractors provided a safe workplace. Exposed energized components, missing guards, noncompliant GFCIs, and violations of the Industrial Code can establish liability even if you made contact. We bring in professionals to map the circuit, test devices, and explain how the incident was preventable.
What compensation can I receive for an electrical injury?
You may seek medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, scarring, and long-term care. Families may pursue wrongful death damages when applicable. We document future needs with life care planners and economists so your settlement reflects the full impact.
Should I post about my accident on social media?
No. Insurance companies monitor social media. Posts can be taken out of context and used to dispute your injuries or how the incident occurred. Speak with your lawyer before sharing anything related to the accident or your recovery.
How much does it cost to hire Schotter Millican, LLP?
We offer free consultations. If we accept your case, we typically work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no legal fee unless we win compensation for you. We explain the structure in writing so there are no surprises.
Take the next step for your New York electrical injury claim
Your recovery and your case benefit from immediate action. Our New York team is ready to preserve critical evidence, coordinate your medical care, and pursue every responsible party so you can focus on healing. Get clear answers and a plan tailored to your job, your injuries, and your goals.
Contact us today to get your free and confidential consultation.
