Common injuries in this line of work
Shock is the hazard most people think of first. Contact with a live circuit can burn the skin where current enters and leaves, and it can affect the heart and nerves. Arc flash can cause serious burns, eye injuries and hearing damage in a split second, even without touching anything.
Much electrical work happens up high. Electricians climb ladders, ride scissor lifts and work above ceiling grids. Falls can cause head injuries and broken bones, and tools dropped from above can strike someone below. Pulling wire, drilling overhead and holding conduit in place all strain the shoulders and neck.
Electricians work in new construction, old buildings, homes and plants. In older buildings, they may disturb insulation that contains asbestos. Many travel between job sites in a work van, so driving is also part of the risk. Some are union members dispatched to different contractors; others work for a small shop.
Reporting it and the claim process
Report the injury to the company that pays you. If you were dispatched from a union hall, let your hall or business agent know too. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency early.
After a shock, some symptoms, like numbness, memory trouble or heart rhythm changes, can appear later. Report the shock even if you felt okay at first, and keep a log of anything new you notice.
If you think you were exposed to asbestos or other materials in an old building, write down the address, the dates and the material. Illnesses from exposure can take a long time to appear, and rules for them vary by state.
Getting medical care
Any shock or arc flash should be checked by a licensed clinician right away. Tell them the voltage if you know it, how long the contact lasted and where the current may have entered and exited.
Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first after an emergency. Ask your employer or the claims adjuster. A clinician decides what care is appropriate after an evaluation.
Ask how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled at a local pharmacy, and some can be delivered to your home if you cannot drive.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery and medications often used after work injuries.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You were hurt by an electrical shock or arc flash and have lasting symptoms.
- Faulty equipment or another contractor's work may have caused the injury.
- You may have been exposed to asbestos on the job.
- Your claim for shoulder or neck strain from overhead work is denied.
- You were discouraged from reporting, or not dispatched again after reporting.
- You get a settlement offer and want to understand it first.
Recovery and going back to work
Recovery after an electrical injury can be uneven. Follow the care plan, keep appointments and tell your clinician about any new symptoms, even weeks later.
Lighter work may be possible, such as estimating, layout, material handling with no climbing or shop work. Get any offer in writing and share it with your doctor.
Stay in touch with your employer, the adjuster and your hall if you are a union member. Keep notes and copies of everything.
Questions to ask
- Who handles workers' comp, and what is my claim number?
- Should the equipment or panel be preserved for inspection?
- Which clinic should I see for follow-up after a shock?
- Is there work without climbing that I can do while I recover?
- How do I report a possible asbestos exposure?
- How are my prescriptions handled, and can they be delivered?
- What are the reporting deadlines in my state?
If you're hurt on the job
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 now for any electrical shock or arc flash, even if the person seems fine. Do not touch someone still in contact with a live source.
- 2If you can safely shut off the power at the source, do so. Otherwise wait for help.
- 3Call 911 for a fall from a ladder or lift, a head injury or a burn to the face.
- 4Tell your foreman or employer and report the injury in writing. Keep a copy.
- 5Write down the panel, circuit, voltage label, equipment and who was there.
- 6Take photos of the panel, ladder or lift if it is safe, and do not reset or remove anything without being told to.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Injuries common in electricians
Other industries
Frequently asked questions
Should electricians see a doctor after a shock that felt minor?
Yes, getting checked is a good idea after any electrical shock. Some effects on the heart and nerves may not show right away. Call 911 if there is chest pain, confusion or trouble breathing.
What should I do after an arc flash at work?
Call 911 and get emergency care. Arc flash can injure the skin, eyes and ears. Report it in writing and note the equipment involved.
Is a fall from a ladder while doing electrical work covered?
It may be, depending on your state and the facts. Falls while doing your job are often reported as work injuries. Report it in writing and get checked by a clinician.
I'm a union electrician — who do I report my injury to?
Report to the contractor you were working for, in writing. Let your union hall or business agent know as well. Ask the contractor who handles workers' comp.
Can I file a claim for asbestos exposure from old buildings?
Claims for exposure-related illness may be possible, and rules vary by state. Write down where and when you may have been exposed. People often consult an attorney about these claims.
Is shoulder pain from overhead work a work injury?
It may be, if it came from your job tasks. Report it in writing and tell your doctor about the overhead drilling and pulling you do.
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).