Electrocution and serious electrical shock injuries at work are among the most devastating and preventable workplace tragedies. Whether you work in construction, utilities, manufacturing, or any industry where electrical systems are present, a single contact with live current can cause cardiac arrest, severe internal burns, neurological damage, or death. If you survived an electrical injury at work, you likely know the feeling of your body being fundamentally altered — nerve damage, memory problems, chronic pain, scarring — and the reality that the life you had before may look very different now.
Electricity-related fatalities are one of OSHA's Fatal Four in construction — one of the four leading causes of construction worker death. Across all industries, electrical hazards claim hundreds of lives and cause thousands of serious injuries every year in the United States. In the vast majority of cases, these tragedies are preventable: unguarded exposed wiring, failure to de-energize equipment before work begins, lack of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), improper use of extension cords, failure to call 811 before excavating near buried lines. When employers cut corners on electrical safety, workers pay with their lives and their health.
Edward T. Garza and The Garza Law Firm have fought for electrocution injury victims and their families in San Antonio for more than five decades. We understand the technical nature of electrical liability, we know how to use OSHA violations as evidence of negligence, and we are committed to pursuing every responsible party — employer, property owner, equipment manufacturer, electrical contractor — to achieve full and fair compensation for our clients.
Key Facts About Electrocution in Texas
OSHA identifies electrocution as one of the 'Fatal Four' leading causes of construction worker deaths. In a recent year, electrical incidents accounted for approximately 8% of all construction fatalities nationally, according to OSHA data.
The BLS reports approximately 160 occupational electrocution deaths per year in the United States, with thousands more workers suffering nonfatal electrical injuries requiring days away from work.
OSHA's electrical safety standards — including 29 CFR 1910.303 through 1910.399 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926.400 through 1926.449 for construction — mandate specific requirements for guarding, grounding, GFCI protection, lockout/tagout, and safe work practices. Violations are among the most cited in the country.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard establishes electrical safety requirements for the workplace, and failure to follow its arc flash hazard analysis and personal protective equipment requirements is recognized as evidence of negligence in civil litigation.
Internal electrical burn injuries are frequently underestimated: electrical current travels through the body along the path of least resistance, causing deep tissue damage, organ injury, and neurological damage that may not be visible on the skin but can be profoundly disabling.
Common Questions About Electrocution
I was told to work on equipment that I later learned was not properly de-energized. Is my employer liable?
Yes. OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) requires employers to ensure equipment is properly de-energized and locked out before any worker performs maintenance or repair on it. Directing a worker to perform such work without following LOTO procedures is a serious OSHA violation and clear evidence of employer negligence in a civil lawsuit.
I work for an electrical subcontractor. Can I sue the general contractor for the electrocution hazard?
Possibly yes. Under Texas's retained-control doctrine, a general contractor can be held liable for injuries to a subcontractor's employees if the GC retained control over the electrical work or the safety conditions that led to the injury. General contractors on construction sites also have independent duties to ensure electrical hazards are properly controlled across the entire project.
Can I bring a claim for neurological or psychological injuries from electrical shock, even without visible external burns?
Yes. Electrical injuries commonly cause profound neurological damage, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain syndromes, cognitive impairment, and personality changes that are not visible externally. These injuries are fully compensable in a Texas personal injury claim. Expert neurological and neuropsychological evaluation is critical to documenting and proving the full extent of your damages.
What if a defective piece of electrical equipment caused my injury?
If a tool, extension cord, transformer, switchgear, or other electrical device was defectively designed or manufactured and that defect caused your injury, you have a products liability claim against the manufacturer independent of any workers' comp or employer negligence claim. Products liability claims can be brought even when your employer has workers' compensation coverage.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
When you hire The Garza Law Firm, we guide you through every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.
Free Case Evaluation
We review the circumstances of the electrical injury, the equipment and systems involved, your employer's workers' comp status, and all potential third-party defendants including general contractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners.
Scene and Equipment Preservation
We coordinate immediate preservation and forensic inspection of the electrical system, equipment, and worksite conditions, and retain a licensed electrical engineer to analyze the cause and mechanism of the injury.
OSHA and NFPA 70E Compliance Analysis
We review all OSHA citations and inspection records, examine whether required lockout/tagout procedures, GFCI protection, arc flash analysis, and PPE requirements were in place and followed.
Medical Documentation of Full Injury Scope
Electrical injuries are frequently more extensive than initial emergency care reveals. We work with neurologists, cardiologists, burn specialists, and neuropsychologists to document the complete impact of the injury on your body and mind.
Multi-Party Liability Strategy
Electrical injury cases often involve multiple defendants: employers, general contractors, electrical subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners. We identify every responsible party and pursue each one to maximize your recovery.
Litigation and Advocacy
We have the experience and resources to take complex, high-value electrical injury cases to trial. Mr. Garza's record of results in serious workplace injury cases — over $35 million recovered — reflects what aggressive, prepared litigation achieves.
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Contact The Garza Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
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