Electrical Injuries

In the maritime work environment, electrical injuries may be caused by various factors. The presence of water makes electrical accidents potentially more harmful because water conducts electricity and reduces the resistance protection of the skin. If you suffer an electrical injury on the job, make sure you know your rights and seek the guidance of a professional experienced with maritime law to ensure you get the compensation you are owed.

Electrical Injuries in the Maritime Industry

Electrical injuries are just one of many risks maritime workers face on the job. An electrical injury occurs when you come in contact with an electrical current. Direct contact with electricity causes damage because the body conducts electricity well.

The electrical current passes through the body, leading to damage that can include: 

• Skin burns
• Organ damage
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Seizures
• Heart attack

The severity of the injuries depends on several factors, including the amount of current and voltage, where it passes through the body, how long you are exposed to the current, and how quickly you can be treated.

Types of Maritime Electrical Injuries

Many different types of electrical injuries are categorized by factors that include the current and voltage, the pathway through the body, the duration of exposure, and the resistance in the current:

• High- and low-voltage injuries. Voltage describes the intensity of the electrical current, and accidents with electricity can be divided into high- and low-voltage incidents. A typical electrical outlet is 110 Volts. Any injury caused by a current over 500 Volts is considered high-voltage.

• Current type. Current can be alternating or direct. Batteries produce direct current, while most circuits produce alternating current. The latter causes more harm because it can cause continuous muscle contractions that make it difficult to separate the victim from the source of electricity.

• Current pathway. The path through the body that the current takes during an electrical accident determines the injuries and severity. Most commonly, the source of the current during an injury is a hand or the head, while the ground is more often the foot. If the current takes a path through the brain or heart, it can cause much more serious damage.

• Duration. The longer you are exposed to a current, the greater the damage.

• Resistance. Resistance is the ability to slow or stop the flow of electricity. The skin has the greatest resistance in the human body, and thicker skin resists electricity more. This resistance is decreased when the skin is wet, as may often be the case in a maritime setting.

How Dangerous Are Maritime Electrical Accidents?

The type of damage, symptoms, and lasting complications of an electrical accident vary depending on the above factors. They also depend on the victim’s health and how quickly medical attention can be given.

The most common type of injury from an electrical accident is a burn on the skin. Burns may occur from direct contact, which causes heat burns on the surface of the skin. Electrical arcs can also cause burns when a spark jumps from an object to the body.

High-voltage electrical injuries are more likely to result in internal burns. This can cause severe damage to muscle tissue, which can swell and cause compartment syndrome, in which the blood supply is cut off to a part of the body.

This can lead to cell death and the loss of tissue or a limb if not treated immediately. Extensive muscle damage can also cause a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which leads to kidney failure if untreated.

A severe electrical shock may impact the heart, causing an abnormal rhythm or even triggering cardiac arrest, which can be fatal.

A severe shock may also cause significant muscle contractions and spasms that cause a person to fall and suffer further injuries, like broken bones or dislocated joints.

Current through the brain can cause seizures, hemorrhaging, memory loss, and personality changes. Nerve damage from a shock may cause a spinal cord injury, paralysis, or chronic pain.

How Are Electrical Injuries Treated?

The first thing to do in the event of an electrical accident is to separate the victim from the source of the current.

• The way that alternating current affects muscles makes it difficult for the person to let go, so it is essential to shut off the source of current. Only then is it safe to touch and attempt to move the victim.
• The next step is resuscitating the victim and administering CPR if they have stopped breathing. It is crucial to call for emergency medical help immediately if possible.
• Immediate treatment for electrical injuries may involve administering fluids, treating burns, and giving painkillers.
• Long-term treatment varies depending on the type and extent of the injuries. For example, the victim may need surgery to treat the burns, antibiotics for infections, heat or brain treatment for seizures, or cardiac arrest.

If the victim does not lose consciousness or have heart problems, the prognosis is good, and recovery is usually possible. More severe injuries can result in longer recovery times and long-term disability.

What Causes Electrical Injuries in the Maritime Setting?

Electrical accidents always have the potential to be serious. In a maritime setting, water, which conducts electricity well, increases the risk.

Ships, shipyards, ports, and offshore rigs run on electricity, which means the potential for an accident is always there. Some of the causes of electrical accidents include:

• Faulty wiring
• Poorly maintained electrical systems
• Careless handling of electrical systems
• Poor or limited training in using electrical systems

The presence of salt water can cause systems to corrode more quickly, making accidents more possible.

Working with electrical systems should be safe if all precautions are taken. When an electrical injury occurs, negligence can likely be determined.

Employers can be negligent because they are responsible for creating a safe work environment. Your employer may be negligent if you or your coworkers were not trained properly, you weren’t provided with safety gear, or your electrical equipment was not maintained.

Examples of Maritime Electrical Accidents

In 2022, an engineer on a ferry traveling between Sweden and Germany died from an electrical shock. At the time, an electrical accident was not implicated, as the worker was found dead from what was assumed to be natural causes.

In 2024, another engineer received a strong electrical shock in the same location and survived. Investigations found several errors in the electrical setup that likely caused the shock that killed the first engineer.

A less serious accident affected an onshore worker at a port in Germany in 2024. He received an electrical shock when plugging a refrigerated container into a socket. The shock was minor and luckily caused no lasting harm.

The cause of the shock was found to be moisture and damaged components. The investigation found that equipment inspections were inadequate and led to the accident.

What Are My Legal Rights After an Electrical Injury?

If you have been hurt in an electrical accident on a ship or another maritime setting, you may be facing months of recovery, pain, and inability to work and earn an income.

You may have thousands of dollars in medical bills related to immediate care, subsequent surgeries, prescriptions, and therapy for rehabilitation. You may also be unable to provide for dependents after this kind of accident.

As a maritime worker, you are likely to be protected under one of several laws, such as the Jones Act. These laws can help you get the compensation you need to cover costs related to the accident. Work with a maritime lawyer and advocate who can guide you through the process of getting back on your feet.