There have been numerous storms in Louisiana and across the country over the last decade that have caused billions of dollars in damage. Homes, businesses, and possessions have been damaged and destroyed, and for some, entire livelihoods have been changed.
Recovering from a storm in Louisiana requires significant coordination. Streets are cleared of fallen trees thanks to specialized contractors and local governments. Residents and business owners pile debris by the curb for collection on garbage day. And one of the most important “fixes” after a storm – restoring electricity – is handled by lineworkers who take on the dangerous task of repairing downed and damaged power lines.
These dangers came to the forefront when a Louisiana lineman was shocked while restoring power after the recent winter storm that ravaged Louisiana and many other states. Widespread power outages from downed and damaged power lines, and trees that got tangled with or fell on power lines, required significant work – and led to a severely burned utility worker, highlighting the extreme dangers Louisiana lineworkers face.
To help protect power line workers and the public, there are strict laws that every Louisiana electric utility company must adhere to. When they don’t, the result can be catastrophic.
But even when safety procedures are followed and regulations are adhered to, electrical accidents still happen, and there are several causes.
Causes of Worker Injuries from Power Lines
Power line repairs after a severe storm in Louisiana begin long before most residents venture out or businesses reopen. While others wait for the power to come back on and stay safe at home, lineworkers get started, and it’s often in poor weather conditions. Louisiana power line workers face risks of serious and catastrophic injuries every day, and these injuries are often caused by the following.
Electrocutions
Given the high voltage of electricity running through power lines, there’s a great risk of electrocution when lineworkers are doing their job. Equipment that gets too close to power lines, backfeed from residential generator use, failing to isolate or ground power or follow safety procedures, pressure to fix lines quickly, and equipment failure are all ways a lineworker could be electrocuted.
Falls
Repairing power lines involves working at high heights, and falls can happen. Working at 40 feet or higher on aerial lifts can result in extremely serious, if not fatal, fall injuries.
Falling Debris
When power is out during a Louisiana storm, the weather conditions, especially wind and precipitation, can create hazardous working conditions. Lineworkers are at risk of injuries from falling debris, like trees, branches, and ice, and workers on the ground could be hurt from equipment that’s dropped from above.
Fatigue and Pressure
It usually requires long hours of work to restore power when a storm hits Louisiana. The pressure and exhaustion that workers experience to get the job done can cause injuries; mistakes can be made, and rushing to restore power can create greater risks in an already dangerous profession.
Weather Hazards
Lineworkers repair power lines in all kinds of weather in Louisiana, from extreme heat to frigid temperatures and icy conditions. Handling equipment in certain weather can be more difficult and stressful, and the materials they work with can be affected, too.
Distracted Driving
While this may sound odd, another cause of injuries is distracted driving. Workers frequently repair power lines along roads and highways. While their vehicles have flashing lights and equipment forces vehicles further from where they’re working, there have been numerous lineworker injuries caused by drivers who aren’t paying attention.
The types of injuries experienced while restoring power are typically quite serious due to how electrical accidents occur. Arc flash burns, electrical shocks, and high-voltage electrocution can cause lifelong health struggles and permanent disabilities and can be fatal. In fact, electrocution is the leading cause of death for lineworkers in the U.S., and the average fatality rate per 100,000 workers is highest among electrical power line installers and repairers.
Other types of injuries include electrical burns, broken bones and fractures, organ damage, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, sprains and strains, and lacerations. Working in Louisiana also comes with the risk of injuries, such as heatstroke, and winter storms make getting to and from job sites even more dangerous.
How electricity affects the body is complex, and the true depth of an electrical injury or how long it will cause health struggles isn’t always known. Migraines, tremors, cognitive disabilities, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, muscle weakness, paralysis, and vertigo are all types of injuries someone can experience after an electrical accident.
Recovering Compensation After an Electrical Accident in Louisiana
Being a power line worker isn’t easy, and because of the risks, laws and safety regulations are in place to limit the dangers of injury when repairing damaged power lines. But sometimes, mistakes are made, and laws are broken.
When laws are violated, or a utility company fails to meet industry standards, and a member of the public or a lineworker is injured, there can be devastating consequences. There are both short-term and long-term health effects caused by electrical injuries, and sometimes, these accidents are fatal.
When someone is injured in an electrical accident that involves negligence on the part of a utility company or another party, filing a personal injury lawsuit can help recover much-needed compensation. While Herman, Katz, Gisleson, and Cain (HKGC) doesn’t handle workers’ compensation claims, there are legal options in specific types of lineworker accidents. Our Louisiana electrical accident attorneys can assess what happened and determine whether a third party may be held liable.
If you’ve been injured in an electrical accident, contact us online, use our live chat, or call 1-844-943-7626 for more information or a free consultation.
Other Electrical Accidents News
Serious electrical injuries can leave victims facing lifelong medical treatment, permanent disabilities, and lost income. Learn how Louisiana electrical accident cases may involve utility company or contractor negligence.
When electricity comes into contact with the human body, it can cause serious injury and even death. One of the most vulnerable systems in the body to an electrical accident is the nervous system.
Electricity is an essential part of modern life. However, electricity can also be dangerous, and exposure to it can cause brain injuries such as thermal damage, neuronal death, and hemorrhage.
Electricity powers our modern world, enabling us to enjoy countless conveniences. However, despite its benefits, both low and high-voltage electricity can cause catastrophic injuries to the human body.
Working in the construction industry comes with many risks. Construction workers are four times more likely to be electrocuted than those working in all other industries combined.
Trusted Baton Rouge Electrocution Attorney Ready To Serve You Electricity is distilled lightning, and it is all around us. It is frightening to think that the same power that lights your home can electrocute you [...]
