Electric shock injury compensation claims

An electric shock occurs when a voltage is applied to the body which results in a flowing electrical current. 

Electric shocks at work can be caused by a range of hazards, including: 

• Power lines
• Faulty wiring or appliances
• Overloaded sockets 
• Working in adverse weather, including wet conditions
• Live parts 
• Poor safety clothing  

Suffering an electric shock can block signals between the brain and muscles, resulting in injuries that can be severe and even life-threatening. 

• Cardiac arrest: Electric shocks can stop the heart or cause arrhythmia, which is when the heart beats out of rhythm. This can result in loss of consciousness and even death. 
• Burns: These can either be internal or external and, when severe, can result in amputation, scarring, issues with internal organs, and, in the most serious cases, death. 
• Nerve damage: This can stop the sufferer from breathing, or it can cause the loss of sensation in parts of the body. Effects can be long term and their onset can be delayed. 
• Psychological effects: Sufferers can also experience mental health effects due to the trauma of the accident. 

There can be other consequences of suffering an electric shock at work too. It may cause an employee to fall, resulting in an injury to the head, brain or back. This is more likely if the fall occurs when working at height.

Employers must make sure that risk assessments are carried out and that there are proper safety measures in place to mitigate hazards. This includes providing regulations relating to working at height and with electricity. 

Employers should also provide appropriate personal protective equipment. This might include insulated gloves, flame-resistant clothing and safety shoes. 

If an employee is electrocuted at work and an employer has breached their duty of care, they might be considered negligent. 

If you've suffered an electric shock at work due to a duty of care breach, you might be able to claim compensation on a no win no fee basis, meaning that when you make a no win no fee claim with us your personal injury lawyer will take out insurance on your behalf that will cover all your claim costs and expenses. So as long as you comply with their terms and conditions, you won't have to pay any costs upfront, and there are no hidden surprises. To be able to claim, your accident must have taken place within the last three years. 

You might be worried about the effect that it can have on your job, but it's illegal to be dismissed or treated differently for making a claim. Any compensation is paid from the employer's insurance. 

If you're unsure about whether you can make a compensation claim for your electric shock at work, our experienced helpline advisors can offer professional and friendly advice. Call us on or request a call back to find out more, with no pressure to continue with your claim should you decide not to.  

The amount you can receive for an electric shock at work claim depends on factors such as: 

• The nature and severity of your accident 
• The psychological effects 
• Any long-term care you might need 
• The impact on your family, such as dependants 
• The financial implications 

Any awarded compensation is split into two categories. These are: 

• General damages: These take into account your pain and suffering as well as the impact of your injuries on your life. 
• Special damages: These relate to financial losses, including loss of earnings, medical expenses, and others that could be incurred in the future. 

Our nationwide panel of solicitors are experienced in electric shock claims. They refer to the Judicial College Guidelines to calculate a fair compensation amount. Our compensation calculator can give you an estimate of what you might be able to claim. 

Alternatively, contact our helpline advisors to find out more about what you might be able to expect from an electric shock at work compensation claim.  

You usually have three years from the date of the accident to make an electric shock at work claim, but there are some exceptions to the rule. 

• You can claim on behalf of someone else if they lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. In this case, there is no time limit. 
• If the accident occurred due to a manufacturer fault or design defect, you might have a different amount of time to make your claim. 
• Electric shock injuries that occurred overseas might be subject to shorter claim time limits. 

Our friendly team will support you every step of the way, but most cases will follow a similar process: 

1. Contact us: Get in touch with us on or use our online form. You can also request a call back and we'll get in touch at a time convenient for you. 
2. Case assessment: Our trained advisors will listen to your case with understanding and empathy and let you know if you have grounds to make a claim. 
3. Evidence: You'll likely need to provide evidence, such as medical records, witness statements and photographs to help build your electric shock at work case.  
4. Negotiations: The other party will be approached and, if they accept liability, negotiations can begin on your compensation. Should they fail to accept liability, we'll use the evidence to take your claim forward.  
5. Settlement: Cases are usually settled out of court but, should your claim go to a judge, our panel of solicitors will provide support at every stage.