Electrical Accidents Can Happen Anywhere In Venice
The use of electricity in Venice and the rest of Florida is so commonplace that most people don’t even think about it anymore until something catastrophic happens, like the recent Hurricane Ian knocking out the power grid. For all of its usefulness, however, electricity can also present serious risks to those that don’t respect its power or its volatility. Because electricity is everywhere, it can cause accidents in just about any location, and these are some of the risks people should be aware of about electrical injuries.
Shocks
One of the most common types of electrical injury is electrical shock. This occurs when a source of electrical power with live voltage running through it is either touched or exposed enough that a person’s proximity is close enough for an electrical shock to “jump” the distance.
Electrical shocks, in particular, can be worrying since the human body transmits information through its own low-level electrical current, meaning electricity can affect the nervous system. Some consequences of electrical shock include
• Pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Partial or total paralysis of the affected limb
• Unconsciousness
• Cardiac arrest
Burns
In addition to the possible neural damage, direct contact with an electrical current can superficially damage the skin like a burn. However, thermal burns are different as it is the extreme temperature of the air that causes the damage.
These burns can be superficial, causing red, dry, painful skin. In severe cases however, the victim may not feel much pain in the affected area because the nerves have been damaged or even destroyed by the shock. Symptoms of an electrical burn include:
• Damaged skin
• Disorientation
• Muscle pain and contractions
• Seizures
• Breathing difficulty
The Causes
Electrical accidents can happen for various reasons, although in most cases, some type of carelessness, or negligence, is the determining factor. Under normal circumstances, with proper care and diligence, electricity running through a building is safe and safely isolated from exposure to unsuspecting people. But there are instances where work that should be done hasn’t been completed, which is when the risk becomes greater. The most common causes of electrical accidents are:
Faulty Wiring
Electrical wiring runs throughout a building; if experienced professionals install it, it typically doesn’t create many problems. However, shoddy work, or very old wiring, will normally require professional attention to address the risk of injury. If wiring is faulty, electricity may no longer be safely traveling through it, causing it to degrade the protective covering of the wire itself or send more electricity than is safe through circuits.
Faulty Outlets Or Switches
The final point of contact where electricity is delivered is an electrical outlet or a switch controlling the flow of electricity to a device. If outlets or switches are in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance or were poorly installed, to begin with, defects such as a screw out of place could directly transmit a live current to a person interacting with that outlet or switch, delivering a full charge on contact.
Defective Products
In some cases, it is a product itself that is poorly constructed and doesn’t relay electricity safely the way it is legally required. Poor installation of wiring, low-quality circuit boards, and other examples of poor craftsmanship can lead to an accident where an electrical current is delivered directly to the product user.
Make The Negligent Pay
If you’ve been the victim of an electrical accident in Venice because someone neglected their responsibility to create a safe environment, you are legally entitled to compensation. Someone being victimized by a preventable accident that a more responsible person or organization should have addressed has the right to take legal action. If this is you, talk to an electrical accident attorney to move forward with a lawsuit.
