Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claim Example Payouts
This case study has been created for illustrative purposes only and is not based on a real event. The claimant, John, suffered an electric shock during an accident at work. Our guide will explore what led to the incident and the steps that John needed to take in order to make an electric shock injury compensation claim and receive an award of £23,000.
Key Takeaways
- In this case study, the claimant suffered electric shock injuries at work due to their employer’s failure to fix faulty office wiring.
- All employers are obliged to follow legislation to protect the health, well-being, and safety of workers.
- John’s compensation covered both his electric shock injuries and their financial impact.
- To support his claim, John needed evidence, including medical records and financial documents.
- Our panel of solicitors represent clients across the country on a No Win No Fee basis.
You can speak to a UK Law advisor if you have any questions about this example of an electric shock injury compensation claim or would like to discuss your own potential case. They have experience in handling enquiries of this nature and can provide you with the information you need. You can also give them the details of your case to determine whether you can proceed with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our expert panel.
- Submit an online enquiry form
- Use the online chat pop-up in the corner
- Call us on 020 3870 4868
John Was Awarded £23,000 In An Electric Shock Injury Compensation Claim
Following his accident at work, John was awarded £23,000 after making a successful electric shock injury compensation claim. He worked in an office as a sales representative. One day, John went to plug in his computer as he did at the start of each workday. However, on this occasion, John experienced a severe electric shock due to faulty electrical wiring.
The electric shock caused John to suffer from multiple injuries, including burns to his hand and damage to the soft tissue in his wrist. He also developed anxiety, which led to additional physical symptoms, sleep disturbances, and a feeling of constantly being on edge, especially around electrical equipment. This impacted his day-to-day life and led to financial issues.
Keep reading to find out how negligence led to John suffering his electric shock injury. You are also welcome to speak directly with our advisors to get guidance tailored to your own experience with electric shock at work.
How Did Negligence Cause John’s Electric Shock Injury?
Unfortunately, John’s electric shock injury was caused by his employer’s failure to act on a risk assessment that identified multiple faults with office wiring. Despite this assessment, John’s employer did not arrange for repairs or take any appropriate precautions. They also did not notify John and his colleagues about the faults and the potential risk of an electric shock.
John’s employer had a duty of care towards staff under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). This required them to take reasonable steps in order to protect the health, well-being, and safety of employees. Therefore, in the case of John’s electric shock injury, the employer failed to uphold this duty.
If you have any questions about how the actions of John’s employer were negligent, speak to our advisors today. They can also assess the circumstances of your own accident and injury. There is nothing to lose from getting in touch, and all advice given is completely free and confidential.
How Was John’s Electric Shock Compensation Calculated?
John’s electric shock compensation was calculated on the basis of 2 different types of damages. The first of these is general damages, which is the compensation paid out for the pain and suffering associated with injury. Therefore, the burns John suffered on his hand and the soft tissue damage to his wrist were evaluated under this part of the compensation.
When assessing general damages, solicitors may inform their calculations by referring to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document is beneficial for this task, as it provides compensation guideline brackets based on various types and severities of injury.
In addition, John received special damages as part of his electric shock injury compensation claim. This part of a claim aims to help claimants recover the financial losses associated with their injuries. It may include costs relating to:
- Private medical treatments (such as surgery in the case of burns or nerve damage), counselling, and therapy
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Rehabilitation support, such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy
- Home adjustments. Severe electrical shock injuries can impact mobility, which may mean a house has to be adapted to accommodate grab rails, downstairs bathrooms, or accessible toilets
- Special equipment. In the context of burns caused by electric shock injuries, this might include wheelchairs or clothing with Velcro straps
- Care in the home from professionals or family members
- Lost income, including future earnings and missed promotions
In John’s case, he had to take time off work to allow his wrist and hand to heal. He also needed physiotherapy and counselling to manage both the physical and psychological harm he experienced. It is essential to note that he was required to provide evidence in order to claim for these costs. He did this using copies of his payslips and bank statements.
John’s Total Compensation
See below for a breakdown of how John’s total compensation was calculated.
| Type of Impact | Type of Injury/Loss | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Injury | Burn | £3,000 |
| Wrist (soft tissue) | £12,000 | |
| Psychiatric damage generally | £2,500 | |
| Financial loss | Lost income | £3,500 |
| Physiotherapy | £1,000 | |
| Counselling | £1,000 |
Although this case study offers insight into how compensation might be calculated, every claim is evaluated on an individual basis. If you would like personalised guidance on compensation, please get in touch with our advisors today. They will outline what factors might be considered for your specific case.
Who Was Responsible For Paying John’s Compensation?
The party responsible for paying John’s compensation was his employer, paid out from the company’s Employer’s Liability insurance. As mentioned earlier, John’s employer failed to meet their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Moreover, The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require employers to ensure that work activity involving electricity is done safely.
As stated, John’s employer was aware of the faulty wiring but failed to take any measures to fix the problem or warn employees about the potential hazard. Consequently, since this breach of duty resulted in harm, John had valid grounds to make an electric shock injury compensation claim.
In order to prove that the employer was responsible for the accident, John had to provide evidence. He gave copies of his medical records to highlight the extent of his injuries and how long they persisted. Additionally, his solicitor took statements from John’s colleagues, who witnessed the electric shock. John also had a copy of an accident book report that his employer had made. This stated that the accident occurred due to faulty wiring.
If you have any questions about how to establish who is responsible in an electric shock injury compensation claim, contact our advisors. They will listen to the details of your accident and explain whether the other party might be liable for your injuries.
How To Know If You Have A Valid Electric Shock Compensation Claim
In order to know whether you have a valid electric shock injury compensation claim, simply contact one of our advisors today. Many people find that they are unsure of their options after an accident. However, our advisors work day and night to help prospective clients determine if they can pursue compensation and how to make a workplace injury claim.
After this carefully reviewed case assessment, our advisors may connect you with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel. They provide a tailored, nationwide service, ensuring clients get support at every stage of the claims process, including:
- Help with obtaining proof and using that evidence to build the strongest case possible
- Access to specialist rehabilitative care from occupational therapists and psychologists
- Regular updates to ensure there is never any uncertainty about where a case stands
- Expert representation to secure a fair and reflective settlement
These and many other services are offered under a Conditional Fee Agreement. This means that you could access a range of excellent services without the need to pay upfront or ongoing solicitor fees.
Under a CFA, your solicitor will receive a success fee if you win. This is payment for their work and would be taken as a capped percentage of your compensation. If your case is lost, you’ll be charged nothing in solicitor fees.
Contact Us
There are a number of different ways to contact our advisory team, so get in touch today for a free, no-obligation case assessment and find out whether you could start a claim. Even if they determine that you are eligible to proceed, you will be under no obligation to work with a solicitor from our panel. Get started today by using the following details:
- Submit an online enquiry form
- Use the online chat pop-up in the corner
- Call us on 020 3870 4868
Learn More
You can learn more about the claims process by reading a selection of our other guides below:
- See how workplace fatal accident claims are made
- Get guidance on crane injury claims
- Read our step-by-step examination of workplace head injury claims
Some external resources:
- Check out the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) statistics on workplace accidents in Great Britain
- Find out whether you can claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in this government overview
- Learn about administering first aid from the NHS
Thank you for reading about this case study of an electric shock injury compensation claim.
