Industrial worksites in Houston expose workers to serious electrical hazards every day. Whether you work in construction, utility maintenance, manufacturing, or another industrial field, contact with live electrical current can cause life‑changing injuries. Electrocution and arc flash incidents can result in severe burns, cardiac complications, neurological damage, and sometimes death. If you suffered an electrocution injury at work in Houston, you may have the right to pursue compensation from parties whose conduct contributed to the hazardous conditions. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP assists injured workers and their families in pursuing the financial recovery available under Texas law.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Electrocution Injury Claim
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP represents workers injured by electrocution and arc flash incidents across Houston and throughout Texas. The firm has years of experience handling serious injury cases involving workplace accidents, construction incidents, and industrial sites. The team is familiar with how electrical injury cases often involve complex liability questions and multiple potentially responsible parties.
Firm attorneys have earned recognition in publications such as Texas Super Lawyers in the area of personal injury litigation. The firm has obtained significant settlements and verdicts for injured clients in prior matters, though past results cannot guarantee future outcomes. Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney fees upfront, and the firm receives a fee only if it recovers compensation for you. When you hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP, the legal team investigates your case, works to identify all potentially liable parties, and seeks compensation consistent with the evidence and applicable law.
Understanding Electrocution and Arc Flash Injuries
Electrical injuries at industrial worksites occur in different ways, and each mechanism can have serious consequences. Understanding how these injuries happen helps explain how liability can arise.
What Causes Electrocution at Houston Worksites
Electrocution injuries occur when a person’s body becomes part of an electrical circuit, and current passes through the body. Common alleged causes at Houston industrial sites include:
- Contact with overhead power lines during construction or maintenance work
- Improper grounding of equipment or machinery
- Failure to de‑energize electrical lines before work begins
- Inadequate lockout/tagout procedures that fail to isolate electrical sources
- Defective tools, equipment, or protective gear
- Lack of appropriate safety training for workers on electrical hazards
- Work practices that do not comply with electrical safety codes or industry standards
Arc Flash Injuries vs. Electrocution
While related, arc flash and electrocution injuries differ in key ways. Electrocution involves electrical current traveling through the body, which can cause internal damage, burns, and cardiac or neurological complications. Arc flash injuries are typically thermal burns caused by an electrical arc—an intense, rapid release of electrical energy that creates extreme heat, light, and pressure.
Arc flash can injure workers several feet away from the source, even without direct contact with energized components. In some situations, workers may not immediately recognize the extent of an arc flash exposure until burns and other symptoms develop. Both electrocution and arc flash can lead to severe burns, nerve damage, and long‑term medical needs.
Common Injuries from Electrical Accidents
Electrical incidents at industrial worksites can cause a range of serious injuries, including:
- Severe thermal and electrical burns that may require surgery, grafting, and prolonged treatment
- Entry and exit wounds where the current entered and exited the body
- Cardiac arrest or dangerous heart arrhythmias
- Neurological damage affecting the brain and the peripheral nervous system
- Paralysis or permanent loss of limb function
- Chronic pain related to nerve damage
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety or post‑traumatic stress symptoms
- Internal organ damage from electrical current and associated trauma
Many workers with electrical injuries require extended medical care, rehabilitation, and long‑term follow‑up. Some individuals may not fully recover and can face partial or total disability.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Electrical Injury
Identifying responsible parties is critical in electrocution and arc flash cases because more than one entity may have contributed to the dangerous conditions. Depending on the facts, potentially liable parties can include:
- Property owners who do not maintain reasonably safe electrical systems or warn about known hazards
- General contractors and subcontractors that fail to follow appropriate electrical safety protocols
- Equipment manufacturers that design or produce defective tools, machinery, or protective gear
- Utility companies that allegedly fail to de‑energize lines or provide adequate warning and clearance information
- Employers or site operators who violate electrical safety standards or fail to enforce safe work practices
- Third parties responsible for installing, inspecting, or maintaining electrical equipment in an unsafe manner
An attorney can investigate your case, review contracts and safety records, and work with experts to understand how the incident occurred. This process helps identify all entities that may share responsibility, which can expand the potential sources of recovery where the evidence supports it.
Compensation Available for Electrocution Injuries
If another party’s negligence or unsafe conduct contributed to your electrocution injury, you may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, and burn or trauma care
- Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy costs
- Lost wages during your recovery period
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior job or level of work
- Pain and suffering associated with physical and emotional harm
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Permanent disability and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death‑related damages for eligible family members when an electrical incident is fatal
In some cases, punitive damages are awarded where there is clear and convincing evidence of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety under Texas law.
The potential value of an electrical injury case depends on factors such as the severity and permanence of the injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, applicable insurance coverage, and the impact on the worker’s ability to earn a living. Catastrophic injuries often involve substantial medical costs and long‑term losses, which can influence settlement or verdict amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an electrocution injury lawsuit in Texas?
In many Texas personal injury cases, including most electrocution claims, the general statute of limitations is two years from the date the cause of action accrues, which is usually the date of injury. If a lawsuit is not filed within the applicable period, you can lose the right to pursue compensation in court. Certain situations—such as claims against government entities or injuries to minors—may involve additional notice rules or tolling, so it is important to consult an attorney promptly about the deadlines specific to your case.
What if I am partially at fault for my electrocution injury?
Texas generally follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you may still recover compensation if you are found to be partially at fault, as long as your percentage of responsibility does not exceed 50%. Any award is reduced by your percentage of fault—for example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, a court could reduce your recovery to $80,000. An attorney can evaluate the facts and present evidence aimed at fairly allocating fault under Texas law.
Do I have to pay upfront costs to hire a lawyer?
No. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP typically handles electrocution and arc flash cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees upfront, and the fee is collected only if the firm obtains compensation for you through a settlement or court award. Case‑related costs are discussed in your representation agreement so you understand the fee structure in advance.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for a Free Consultation
If you suffered an electrocution or arc flash injury at a Houston industrial worksite, you do not have to navigate the legal and insurance issues alone. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP offers a free case evaluation to review your situation, answer your questions, and explain your options under Texas law. Call (713) 230-2200 today to schedule a consultation. The firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis—no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf.