Electricity is as dangerous as it is valuable, and the potential for someone to suffer an injury in an electrocution accident is everywhere. Electrocution accidents can be serious and often result in severe injuries or even death. In the State of New Jersey, individuals who have been injured or lost a loved one in an electrocution accident have legal rights to seek compensation for their damages.
If you are dealing with the painful aftermath of an electrocution accident, you should have the professional guidance and support of a top-notch New Jersey electrocution accident attorney. Our electrocution accident attorneys at O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble are respected, award-winning counselors. We are even the go-to counselors when individuals in the legal community need help for themselves or their loved ones.
Legal Claims
There are several different types of lawsuits that you can file after an electrocution accident in New Jersey. Depending on how your electricity-related injury occurred, you might have the option to initiate multiple legal actions to recover the compensation you deserve.
Civil Lawsuits
A victim of an electrocution accident can file a civil lawsuit when another person’s misconduct causes damages. These types of cases come in many forms.
Personal injury
A common type of civil lawsuit is a personal injury claim. This type of claim is filed by an individual who has been injured in an electrocution accident due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct. A defendant in a personal injury claim for electrocution injuries could be a property owner who unreasonably fails to protect visitors against electrical hazards on their premises or an electrician or construction professional who performs faulty electrical work.
Wrongful death
Another type of lawsuit that may be filed after an electrocution accident is a wrongful death claim. This type of claim is filed by the family of an individual who has died in an electrocution accident caused by another’s negligence, reckless behavior, or intentional acts. A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the family as a result of the loved one’s death, such as lost income and loss of companionship.
Product liability
Under New Jersey’s product liability law, manufacturers and sellers of products that run on electricity can be held responsible for injuries or damages caused by those products, even if they were not negligent in the design or production of the products. There are three main types of product defects that can give rise to liability under New Jersey law; they are:
- Design defects,
- Manufacturing defects, and
- Warning defects.
To establish liability under product liability law, you must prove that the product was defective and that the defect was a proximate cause of your injury.
Damages
In an electrocution accident lawsuit in the State of New Jersey, you may be able to recover damages for the harm and losses you have suffered as a result of the accident. There are several types of damages that may be available, including economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages
Economic damages pay you for your financial losses. These damages are quantifiable and can be calculated with a reasonable degree of certainty. Examples of economic damages in an electrocution accident lawsuit may include:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages, and
- Loss of earning capacity.
You can prove these damages with receipts, medical records, wage records, and work history records. However, hiring a knowledgeable attorney is essential to help ensure that you recover the maximum compensation you are owed.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are damages that are more difficult to quantify and are intended to compensate an individual for intangible losses. Examples of non-economic damages in an electrocution accident lawsuit may include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Loss of consortium.
While these damages can be challenging to translate into a dollar amount, they are a vital part of your recovery.
Punitive damages
The purpose of punitive damages is to punish a civil defendant who causes harm by acting maliciously, wantonly, or willfully. Not every civil plaintiff is entitled to punitive damages, and punitive damages can be challenging to prove.
There are several factors that may be considered when determining the amount of compensation to award in an electrocution lawsuit. These factors include the extent of the injuries sustained, the impact the injuries have had on the individual’s quality of life, and any medical bills or other expenses incurred due to the accident.
Workers’ Compensation
If your electrocution injury occurred while you were working, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including compensation for your impairment and medical benefits from your employer. You do not have to prove anyone was at fault to receive remedies under workers’ compensation. However, workers’ comp claimants do not have access to non-economic or punitive damages. Depending on the nature of your workplace injury, you might be able to recover punitive and non-economic damages from a third party.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an electrocution accident, it is crucial to seek legal counsel from an electrocution injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced electrocution injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and can advise you on the best course of action to take in your particular situation.
Speak to a New Jersey Electrocution Accident Lawyer Today
At O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, our experienced electrocution attorneys are ready to protect your interests and champion your right to compensation. Not only are we prepared, but we also get top-level results for our clients. We have recovered over $100 million for victims of misconduct and negligence in New Jersey. If you need help, please call us or contact us online.