New Orleans, LA Power Line Electrocution Injury Lawyer

Electrical Fire on a Power Line

Many electrocutions occur at the work place.  Personal injury victims working in close proximity to high voltage electrical lines accidentally come in contact with the lines and are electrocuted.

The Louisiana Overhead Power Line Safety Act (LOPLSA) provides safety measures for the protection of those working around overhead power lines.  LOPLSA generally prohibits any activity around a power line if it is possible that a person will come within ten feet of the line while performing that particular activity.  

If a person wants to perform work within ten feet of an overhead power line, LOPLSA requires that the person and/or company responsible for the work promptly notify the electric utility company before commencing the work. 

If the person and/or company responsible for the work fails to notify the electric utility company and an accident occurs, the person and/or company in charge may have to reimburse the electric company for all damages, costs, or expenses incurred.

For example, assume a worker was instructed by his employer to perform some work on a billboard that was within ten feet of an overhead power line.  Both the worker and the employer believed the work could be performed safely without contacting the over head power line.  However, the employer, who was in charge of the work failed to notify the electric utility company before instructing the worker to climb the bill board and start working.  If a serious accident occurred whereby the worker was electrocuted, the electric utility company could file suit against the employer to recover funds it might be forced to pay out to the injured worker.  Therefore, even if the electric utility company was negligent for failing to properly insulate its lines, it could still go after the employer under LOPLSA to recover the funds it might be forced to pay out.  

The realities of the LOPLSA can create strange alliances between employers and the electric utility company.  Essentially, employers are forced to work with the electric utility company to try and blame their employee for an electrocution so that they are not forced to reimburse the electric utility company for millions in damages.   

If you or a family member have been seriously injured in an electrical accident, you need to hire an attorney that understands the complexities of LOPLSA and how it could affect your personal injury claim.  Learn about your legal rights from an experienced Louisiana electrocution lawyer by calling 504-581-4892 or by filling out our free, no obligation case review form.

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