If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911. Electrical injuries and arc flash burns need emergency evaluation even when the skin looks only slightly marked.
- 2Do not touch anyone who may still be in contact with a live source. Make sure power is shut off by a qualified person before anyone approaches.
- 3If clothing is smoldering, help put it out. Do not pull off clothing that is stuck to the skin.
- 4Watch for confusion, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing or loss of consciousness and tell responders right away.
- 5Mention any eye pain, blurry vision or sensitivity to light from the flash.
- 6Tell your supervisor as soon as you can and report the injury in writing. Keep a copy.
- 7When it is safe, note the panel, equipment, task, time and who was there. Take photos only if the area is de-energized and secure.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Electrical incidents tend to get attention quickly at a workplace, but that does not replace your own written report. Tell your supervisor what you were doing, what equipment was involved and what happened, and put it in writing. Ask for a copy of any incident report.
A workers' compensation claim generally starts once your employer is told about the injury and passes it to its insurer or claims administrator. Ask for the claim number when there is one, and write down the name of the adjuster assigned.
Deadlines to report an injury and to file a claim vary by state. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible rather than waiting to see how the burn heals.
Keep a folder with hospital paperwork, discharge instructions, photos of the burn as it changes, and a log of every call. Electrical injuries sometimes show new symptoms weeks later, such as numbness, weakness, memory trouble or vision changes. Write those down with dates.
Getting medical care
Emergency care comes first. After that, follow-up may happen at urgent care, an occupational medicine clinic or with your primary care clinician, and some people are referred to burn, eye or nerve specialists. A licensed clinician decides what is needed after evaluating you.
Tell every provider this was an electrical or arc flash injury at work, including the type of equipment if you know it. That detail helps them know what to look for beyond the visible burn.
Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster. If you are prescribed medication or burn care supplies, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled; many can be picked up locally or delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your burns are serious, involve your face, hands or large areas, or leave lasting scarring.
- You develop delayed problems like nerve pain, weakness, memory or vision changes and your claim does not account for them.
- Equipment made or serviced by another company may have failed, which can raise third-party questions.
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or you are told the injury was your own fault.
- You feel pressured not to report the incident or are treated differently after you do.
- You cannot return to electrical work and there are disputes about restrictions or retraining.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Burn wounds and electrical injuries can take time, and follow-up visits matter. Keep wound care and eye appointments, and tell your clinicians about anything new, including tingling, fatigue, mood changes or trouble concentrating.
Before going back, ask your doctor what restrictions apply, especially around heat, protective gear rubbing on healing skin, or working at height. Ask your employer whether light duty is available while you heal.
Keep your employer and adjuster updated after each appointment. If you are nervous about returning to energized work, say so to your doctor; that is a common reaction after an arc flash.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Could there be damage under the skin or to my heart, nerves or eyes that I can't see yet?
- Doctor: What new symptoms should make me come back right away?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of the incident report and any equipment inspection notes?
- Employer: Is light duty available away from energized equipment while I heal?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and do I need to see a specific provider for follow-up?
- Adjuster: How are burn care supplies and prescriptions handled under my claim?
- Attorney: Does an equipment failure or another contractor's work change anything about my situation?
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to the ER after an arc flash or electrical burn?
Yes, call 911 or get emergency care even if the burn looks minor. Electrical current can injure deeper tissue, nerves and the heart without much showing on the skin. Only a licensed clinician can check for those problems.
Can an arc flash hurt my eyes?
Yes, the intense light and heat from an arc flash can affect the eyes. Tell responders and your clinician about any pain, blurry vision, gritty feeling or light sensitivity. They will decide whether you need an eye specialist.
Is an electrical burn at work covered by workers' comp?
Electrical injuries that happen on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, but coverage depends on your state and situation. Report the injury in writing right away. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency about deadlines.
What symptoms can show up later after an electrical shock or burn?
Some people notice numbness, tingling, weakness, headaches, memory or concentration trouble, or vision changes days or weeks later. Write down any new symptom with the date and tell your doctor. Let your adjuster know too, so your records stay complete.
Who is responsible if faulty equipment caused the arc flash?
That depends on the facts. If equipment made, installed or serviced by another company was involved, there may be questions beyond workers' compensation. Many people talk with a workers' compensation attorney to understand their options.
Can I go back to electrical work after an arc flash burn?
Many people do return, but timing depends on your injuries and your doctor's guidance. Ask about restrictions for heat, gear and climbing. If you cannot return to the same work, ask about other options.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).