What Are the Long-Term Effects of an Electrical Injury?

Electricity is a source of power that needs to be contained and directed. In simple terms, it is generated from a source and runs through wiring to power up a wide range of devices, from lights to computers to cars. You can’t see electricity, but you can see the effects of electricity.

For instance, lightning is a massive electrical discharge that occurs when electrical energy ionizes the air, transforming it into a bright flash.

When electricity is uncontained, it seeks a source to ground itself. The earth is the biggest conductor, but unfortunately, so is the human body. An electric current that is released from a wire can strike a person’s body and either cause superficial damage to the skin in the form of burns or pass through the body, attacking nerves, vessels, muscles, and organs.

That type of injury can have immediate and long-term effects, leading to costly medical care, including surgery, hospitalization, and physical therapy. It can also mean extended time off from work or the inability to go back to work altogether.

When that injury happens due to someone else’s negligence, the victim is entitled to seek compensation. These types of claims can be complex and challenging to navigate. If this has recently happened to you or someone in your family, you might not be aware of the potential long-term effects.

It will be helpful to speak with a qualified Peru electrical injury lawyer to gain a comprehensive understanding of all your options for pursuing a claim.

What Are the Immediate Effects of an Electrical Injury?

Electrical injuries are complex and unpredictable. Someone can be struck by an electric current and just experience a mild shock, while someone else can be severely injured and, in a worst-case scenario, it can be fatal. The immediate effects of an electrical injury can be visible, but the true extent of injury often lies beneath the skin, where muscles, nerves, organs, and bones are affected.

Here are some of the immediate injuries from an electrical shock:

Burns

Depending on the voltage and exposure, an electrical burn can range from mild to life-threatening. The jolt can also ignite clothing, which causes thermal burns. An electrical burn is classified as one of the following categories:

• First-degree: Red or pink skin, no blistering
• Second-degree: Red, moist skin with blisters
• Third-degree: Dry, leathery, or waxy appearance
• Fourth-degree: Black, charred skin with damage to muscle or bone

Traumatic Injuries

A high-voltage shock can trigger violent muscle contractions. They can even throw a victim onto the floor, which can lead to spinal, head, or other fall-related trauma.

Compartment Syndrome

Severe burns may cause swelling that cuts off blood flow, a condition known as compartment syndrome. If there isn’t immediate medical intervention to relieve pressure, it can lead to tissue loss.

Amputation

The most severe type of electric burn is a fourth-degree burn, which destroys tissue, blood vessels, and muscles down to the bone. If circulation cannot be restored, amputation may be required to prevent the spread of sepsis.

Internal Damage

If the charge from an electrical current travels through the body, it can damage blood vessels, disrupt the heart’s rhythm, and lead to organ failure for the heart, kidneys, or other vital systems.

What Are the Long-term Effects of Electric Shock?

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, the onset of the consequences of an electrical injury might not manifest for 1 to 5 years after the initial injury event. Here are some of the problems that could occur:

Physical Effects

A person who has suffered an electrical charge injury can suffer from many physical ailments, starting with eye problems that could trigger the rapid development of cataracts. They could also experience generalized pain that is hard to relieve. Additionally, a victim can experience ghost pains or itches, specifically with someone who has gone through an amputation. They can also experience the following:

• Joint stiffness
• Arthritis and contracture due to muscle damage
• Muscle pain and spasms
• Permanent neurological injuries, such as paralysis

Psychological Effects

Long-term effects of electrical injuries can extend well beyond physical harm. There are also psychological effects that you might have to contend with. For instance, many electrical injury victims may experience reduced cognitive abilities, including challenges with verbal recall and attention span.

That can have a direct impact on the person’s quality of life. A person can also experience psychological challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

They might also develop phobias related to electricity that can further impede emotional healing.

Neurological Effects

Neurological effects are also among the types of long-term effects of electrical injuries. A survivor might experience numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations, referred to as paresthesia.

Those sensations can persist for years after the initial injury. There are other neurological complications, including the following:

• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Fainting spells
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Progressive hearing loss
• Chronic tremors
• Migraines

Exploring Options for Compensation

If you or a loved one has suffered an electrical injury on the job or in your own home due to faulty electrical work, you are entitled to seek a remedy. These would be considered personal injury cases that require thorough investigation and ongoing negotiations with an insurance carrier.

Fortunately, help is available from Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP.

We are a team of experienced Peru electrical injury attorneys that can help you understand your rights and explain your options for seeking compensation. If we agree to take up your case, it will be because we are confident in the outcome.

Reach out to our firm today to set up a free consultation to get all your questions answered.