Electrical Injuries to Defense Contractors

Posted on Monday April 05, 2021

Electrical injuries are among defense contractors who work on overseas bases or construction projects, and these injuries can be serious. Seek help with your Defense Base Act claim from a nationwide DBA attorney to protect your rights to benefits.

The human body was not meant to come into direct contact with live electrical currents, and these currents can cause serious injuries to victims of electrical accidents. Most people need immediate medical assistance following an electrical injury, and the treatment needed can be costly. Recovery might be a long process that keeps victims off the job for some time. 

If your electrical accident happened while you were working as a defense contractor for the United States and stationed on foreign soil, domestic workers’ compensation laws will not apply. However, the Defense Base Act (DBA) provides coverage so you can seek benefits to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Speak to nationwide DBA lawyers about your claim today. 

Causes of Electrical Injuries

There are different reasons why electrical injuries can occur at work, including:

• Electrical shock – This happens when part of your body comes into contact with an electrical current, which then shoots through your body. Different factors can make electric shock more or less severe, including the clothes and protective gear you wear, how strong the current was, the length of exposure, and whether there was surrounding water.
• Electrical fires – Electrical currents can start fires when they come into contact with flammable materials. This can include clothing, which is particularly dangerous for the person wearing the clothing. Electrical fires can then result in serious injuries, especially if people try to put out the fire using water. 

Both types of accidents are common on construction sites and other locations where you might come into contact with live electrical systems. 

Common Electrical Injuries

Electrical accidents can result in many types of injuries and conditions. Some are treatable, while others are life-threatening. Some common conditions include:

• Thermal burns where the skin touched the current or where the current entered or left the body. 
• Damage to tissue, including muscles and nerves, that the current passed through
• Falls or other subsequent accidents due to the initial shock
• Cardiac arrest if the current impacts the heart

Sometimes, you will be unable to tell the extent of the electrical injuries right after the accident. Electrical currents can cause internal harm, and this needs to be diagnosed by an experienced medical professional as soon as possible.

What to Do

After an electrical accident, report the matter to your employer (if you’re able to) and get emergency medical help. Once your medical condition has stabilized, you should consult with a DBA lawyer who can advise you of your eligibility for benefits. We can help with the entire claims process to ensure the insurance company does not pay out less than you deserve.

Contact Our Nationwide Defense Base Act Attorneys for Assistance

The nationwide Defense Base Act attorneys at Mara Law Firm work with clients who sustained many types of injuries while working for the U.S. government overseas. This can be a complicated situation, and you want to make sure your rights are fully protected. Call (619) 234-2833 or contact us online to discuss how we might help with your DBA claim.