What Is Considered an Electrical Injury?
Electrical injuries occur when an electrical current passes through the body, causing internal and external damage. These injuries can range from mild shock to fatal electrocution and may result in:
- Severe burns (entry and exit wounds)
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Cardiac arrest or irregular heartbeat
- Brain injury due to oxygen loss
- Fractures or falls caused by electrical shock
- Vision or hearing loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the trauma of electrocution
Even when external burns appear minor, the internal damage can be catastrophic. Always seek immediate medical evaluation after an electrical incident.
Common Causes of Electrical Accidents in South Carolina
Electrical accidents can occur almost anywhere, but certain environments are especially high risk.
Workplace or Construction Site Accidents
- Exposed or ungrounded wiring
- Contact with overhead or buried power lines
- Faulty tools or equipment Lack of lockout/tagout procedures
- Defective circuit breakers or safety devices
Residential or Commercial Property Hazards
- Poorly maintained wiring or outlets
- Unsafe renovations or DIY electrical work
- Negligent landlords or property managers
- Defective appliances or electronics
Other Scenarios
- Downed power lines after storms
- Pool or water-related electrical hazards
- Utility company negligence
If your injury happened while working, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a potential third-party negligence claim against the property owner, contractor, or manufacturer responsible.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Electrical Injury?
Determining fault in an electrical accident requires careful investigation. Depending on where and how the electrocution occurred, liability may fall on:
- Property owners or landlords (unsafe wiring, code violations)
- General contractors or subcontractors (construction site negligence)
- Electrical companies or utilities (downed or uninsulated lines)
- Product manufacturers (defective tools, appliances, or safety gear)
- Maintenance crews or service providers (failure to repair known hazards)
Our legal team can work with electrical engineers, OSHA consultants, and accident reconstruction experts to uncover exactly how the incident happened and who is responsible.
Compensation After an Electrocution or Electrical Accident
Electrical injuries can lead to long-term medical needs, permanent disability, and financial stress. A successful electrical injury claim may recover compensation for:
- Emergency and hospital care
- Burn treatment and skin grafts
- Nerve or cardiac damage treatment
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Long-term care or assistive devices
In cases involving gross negligence, such as knowingly ignoring electrical hazards, electrical burn victims may also pursue punitive damages.
Why Electrical Injury Cases in South Carolina Are Complex
- Multiple insurers and defendants – contractors, property owners, and utilities may all share fault.
- Technical evidence – proving causation often requires expert electrical analysis.
- Workers’ compensation interaction – third-party claims may still be available beyond workers’ comp limits.
- Severe, delayed symptoms – nerve damage and internal burns may worsen over time, complicating claim valuation.
At the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger, we understand the intersection of personal injury law, workers’ compensation, and product liability that defines electrical injury cases.
Our Approach to Electrical Injury Cases
- Listen first. We take time to understand how the accident has affected your health, family, and future.
- Investigate thoroughly. We secure maintenance records, OSHA reports, and expert evaluations.
- Build a clear narrative. We explain the science and human impact behind your injury to insurers and juries.
- Pursue full justice. We seek every dollar of coverage available and work tirelessly to help our clients obtain full, fair recovery for the harm they have experienced.
See what our former clients have said about working with our team here.
Where We Handle Electrical Injury Cases in South Carolina
At the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger, we represent people throughout South Carolina who have been seriously hurt in electrical and electrocution accidents. With offices in Columbia and Myrtle Beach, we’re positioned to serve clients from the Midlands to the Upstate and along the Grand Strand.
Midlands
Electrical injuries often occur in Columbia, Lexington, Sumter, and Orangeburg, where construction growth and industrial sites increase exposure to live wiring, faulty equipment, and power line hazards.
Upstate
We frequently assist clients in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and surrounding areas. Industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers in the Upstate are among the most common sites for serious electrical injuries.
Coastal & Pee Dee Region
From Myrtle Beach and Conway to Florence and Georgetown, many cases stem from unsafe wiring in hotels, rental properties, and retail businesses, as well as storm-related electrical hazards and downed power lines.
No matter where your accident occurred, our attorneys can investigate the cause, identify who is responsible, and help you pursue the full, fair recovery you need.
What To Do After an Electrical Accident
- Seek emergency medical care. Even if you feel okay, internal injuries can be life-threatening.
- Report the incident to your employer or the property owner immediately.
- Preserve evidence. Take photos of equipment, wiring, or the scene if possible.
- Do not discuss fault with insurers or employers before speaking with a lawyer.
- Call a South Carolina electrical injury lawyer to protect your rights and secure evidence early.
Talk to an Electrical Injury Lawyer in South Carolina
Electrical accidents are devastating, but you don’t have to navigate the insurance system alone. The Law Offices of Kenneth Berger helps people across South Carolina rebuild their lives after catastrophic electrical injuries.
Call 803-790-2800 (Columbia) or 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach), or start a live chat now for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you move toward recovery with confidence.