How To Make An Electric Shock At Work Claim

Have you suffered an electric shock at work? You could be entitled to claim compensation if you can prove your injury was caused by the negligent actions fo your employer. An electric shock can lead to severe and sometimes lifelong injuries such as burns, muscle spasms, and heart problems. Choosing to work with our panel of solicitors for an accident at work claim means you’ll get the compensation settlement you deserve following an electrical work accident.

In our guide, you’ll find all the information you need to know about electric shock claims, including who can claim, some ways an electric shock can happen, how to begin a claim, and the different forms of compensation that could be awarded.

What You Need To Know

  • You could claim compensation for your injuries and subsequent financial losses.
  • You will need evidence to prove your claim.
  • You may be able to claim even if you are partially responsible for an accident.
  • You have 3 years to make an accident at work claim in most cases.
  • You can claim on a No Win No Fee basis with our panel of solicitors.

By deciding to make an accident at work claim to potentially receive compensation, you’re investing money into your future to treat your injuries and ensure you’re not struggling financially while you recover. Reach out to our advisors to see if you could receive compensation for an electric shock injury claim.

Man on floor after electric shock at work from wire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Make Electric Shock At Work Claims?

Per the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), all employers have a duty of care to their employees. This means they must take reasonable steps towards employee safety. If your employer breaches their duty of care, causing you harm in the form of electric shock injuries, it’s likely you can make a claim.

Put simply, if you:

  • Were owed a duty of care by your employer
  • Had this duty of care breached
  • suffered harm (an electric shock) due to this breach

– There’s a high chance you could receive compensation due to your employer’s negligence.

You may also still be able to claim if you partially contributed to your accident or injuries. To learn more or discuss the eligibility of your accident at work claim, you can contact our advisors.

What If I’m Self-Employed, Part-Time Or An Agency Worker?

If you are self-employed or an agency worker, you may still be able to make a compensation claim following an electric shock at work.

Self-Employed Workers

Under Section 4 of the HASAWA, self-employed workers are entitled to a duty of care if they use specific premises as their workplace or if they use items given to them to carry out their work. An example would be:

  • A self-employed electrician was asked to come into the office to do an electrical safety check. However, the manager of the office failed to inform the electrician of a known faulty plug socket, resulting in the electrician suffering a shock injury.

Part-Time Workers

Part-time workers are entitled to the same duty of care as full-time workers. Workers should be able to still claim compensation for an electric shock as long as the breached duty of care that caused them harm occurred while they were at work.

Agency Workers

Much like self-employed workers, agency workers can likely make an accident at work claim if an accident occurred in a specific circumstance. For example:

  • An agency worker is hired to work on a construction site to help finish a large task. Essential maintenance is not carried out on one of the machines the agency worker must use, leading to exposed wires and the worker receiving an electric shock.

Whom the agency worker would make a claim against would depend on where the fault lies.

It can be difficult to know your rights as a self-employed, part-time, or agency worker. Contact us if you have questions or require further information about this topic.

Can I Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?

Yes, you could claim on behalf of a loved one following their accident at work if they are unable to do so themselves, such as those:

  • Under the age of 18 (as you can legally work from the age of 16)
  • Lacking the mental capacity to make their own claim.

In these instances, you could apply to be a litigation friend to make an electric shock at work claim on their behalf. A litigation friend is a responsible adult who acts in the claimant’s best interests and keeps them informed of the progress of their case.

To see if you could act as a litigation friend, contact one of our advisors today.

Reporting Workplace Electric Shocks Through RIDDOR

Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), employers are legally required to report certain workplace accidents and injuries to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This is Britain’s regulatory body for workplace safety.

  • Incidents that must be reported include:
  • Fatal accidents.
  • Serious burn injuries
  • Any accidents leading to loss of consciousness
  • Fractures (other than to the thumbs, fingers and toes)
  • Amputations
  • Crush injuries
  • Accidents that result in the worker needing to take 7 consecutive days off work

Additionally, you can report your accident in the workplace accident book. A copy of this report could then be used as evidence in your electric shock at work claim.

Defective plug socket with tape over it.

Electric Shock At Work Statistics

According to reports made to my employers under RIDDOR to the HSE in 2023-2024, there were 5 fatal employee injuries caused by contact with electricity or electrical discharge.

In the same year, there were also 188 non-fatal employee injuries suffered due to contact with electricity or electrical discharge.

To see whether you may have a valid personal injury claim, or to learn what happens if you don’t report an accident at work, you can contact our advisors.

How Much Workplace Electric Shock Compensation Can I Get?

According to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a legal document containing compensation guidelines for various injuries, you could receive between £122,850 to £183,190 for chest injuries causing serious heart damage and the removal of one lung.

The JCG is a document that may be used by those valuing your general damages. This is the head of loss awarded to you for the injuries you have suffered and the pain they have caused you.

All figures in the table below have been taken from the JCG, except for the first entry,  and should be used as a guide only.

TYPE OF INJURYSEVERITYJCG COMPENSATION
Multiple Severe Injuries and Special DamagesSevereUp to £350,000+
Chest and Heart InjuriesRemoval of a Lung/Serious Heart Damage£122,850 to £183,190
Traumatic Injury To Chest, Heart and Lung(s)£80,240 to £122,850
Damage to Chest and Lungs Causing Ongoing Disability£38,210 to £66,920
Damage to Tissue without Significant Impact on Lung Function£15,370 to £21,920
Scarring To The BodyBurns Covering 40% or More of the BodyLikely to exceed £127,930
One Single Disfiguring Scar Or Multiple Laceration Scars That Are Noticeable£9,560 to £27,740
Single Noticeable Scar Or Several Superficial Scars£2,890 to £9,560
Brain InjuriesMinor Brain Injury£2,690 to £15,580

Our advisors can assist you if you have any more questions about how compensation is calculated.

What Can Electric Shock At Work Compensation Help With?

Electric shock at work compensation could help you with feeling a sense of justice after suffering an injury that was not your fault.

Additionally, special damages could reimburse you for financial losses you may have suffered due to your injuries. A few examples would be:

  • Loss of earnings if you had to take time off work or leave work entirely.
  • Medical expenses, including private medical treatment.
  • At-home care – if a friend or family member has had to take time off work to care for you fully, this can also be classed as a financial loss.
  • Prescriptions for medicines.
  • Transportation to and from medical appointments.

All of these losses will need to be proven with evidence such as invoices and payslips. To see if you may qualify for compensation, contact our advisors.

Man in red t-shirt lying on floor next to an exposed wire.

 

The Common Causes Of Electric Shocks At Work

You can find some common causes of electric shocks at work below.

Power Surges

Power surges often occur when a circuit board is overpowered, sending a surge of electricity through various pieces of machinery and causing an electric shock. They can also affect a building’s electricity in general. In order to abide by their duty of care, your employer should check that the main switchboard is suitable for use throughout the building and that all steps are taken to reduce the risk of circuit surges.

Exposed Electrical Components

This is a relatively common occurrence, happening when faulty plug sockets or light switches expose the electrical wiring behind. It’s vital for employers to carry out regular and in-depth risk assessments to notice any potential hazards and take steps to rectify any potential dangers.

Inadequate Earthing

Earthing is when a path is created between electrical equipment and the ground for currents to flow through. It reduces the risk of harm being done to employees as the currents are redirected into the earth. However, if not done properly, the faulty circuit will continue to run above ground, causing an electric shock.

Exposure To Liquids

Exposure to liquids often occurs when rainwater or a spilt beverage spills onto electrical equipment. This then compromises the equipment. If equipment is not carefully checked following exposure to liquid, a short circuit could cause the machinery to stop working, leading to an electric shock when a worker uses the equipment.

Poor Maintenance

Improper or poor maintenance of electrical equipment (such as plug sockets or loose wiring) can happen in any workplace and cause serious injuries. Any electrical equipment that is noted to be in need of replacement should be cordoned off before being replaced or fixed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of electric shocks.

To see if you may have a valid electric shock at work claim, you can contact our advisors.

How Can I Start A Claim After Suffering An Electrical Shock At Work?

Evidence is vital when making an accident at work claim. Evidence could help proving liability and the injuries you suffered. The below types of evidence are especially useful.

  • CCTV footage of the incident.
  • Hospital or other medical records showing your injuries.
  • A log of the accident book your injuries were recorded in.
  • The contact information of anyone who witnessed your accident.
  • Photographs of faulty wiring or plug sockets that caused your electric shock

A solicitor from our panel could help you with gathering evidence to support your claim.

Time Limits

There is a time limit of 3 years to make an accident at work claim under the Limitation Act 1980. This time limit usually begins from the date of the accident. There are 2 main exceptions to the time limit:

  • If the claimant is under 18 they are unable to make their own claim until their 18th birthday, and will run for 3 years.
  • If the claimant lacks mental capacity to make their own decisions, the time limit is suspended. Only if they regain this capacity will the 3-year time limit be reinstated.

Don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions about evidence or time limits.

Can Work Electric Shock Claims Be Made On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Yes, you can make an electric shock at work claim with a solicitor on our panel a No Win No Fee basis, provided you have an eligible case. All of the solicitors on our panel operate via a type of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement, which means:

  • There is no service fees to pay upfront.
  • There are no solicitor fees as the claim progresses
  • You will pay nothing for their work if the claim fails.

A success fee will be taken from your compensation as a legally limited percentage if your claim is a success.

If you decide to work with a solicitor from our panel, they will be with you every step of the way to advise you on the right compensation amounts, evidence, legal terminology, and much more.

Contact UK Law

Ready to see if you can make an electric shock injury claim? By receiving compensation, you can get your life back on track and receive closure following an accident that has massively affected your life. Pick your preferred contact method below to get started.

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Thank you for reading our guide about electric shock at work claims.