Electric shock accident claims are compensation claims made when someone suffers an injury after being exposed to an electrical hazard that could have been prevented. These accidents can result in serious physical and psychological harm, including burns, cardiac complications, nerve damage and muscle injuries. If successful, compensation may cover the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, as well as related financial losses such as lost earnings. Accident Claims solicitors can assess whether you could be eligible to claim and, if you are, handle your case on a No Win No Fee basis.

An electric shock can affect your health, mobility and confidence long after the initial incident. Depending on the severity of the shock, you may suffer burns, nerve pain, muscle damage, heart rhythm problems, breathing difficulties or psychological trauma. Some people need hospital treatment, rehabilitation or time away from work, while others struggle with scarring, reduced sensation, weakness or anxiety around electrical equipment. These effects can disrupt everyday tasks, sleep, hobbies and your ability to return to your normal routine.

Our solicitors understand how disruptive electric shock injuries can be. With decades of combined experience and more than £100 million secured in compensation, our trusted legal specialists provide straightforward guidance tailored to your circumstances. The team at Accident Claims can help investigate how the incident occurred by reviewing available evidence and identifying potential safety failings. We can also explain your legal options clearly and guide you through the claims process from the outset.

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What Is An Electric Shock?

An electric shock occurs when electrical current passes through the body. The severity of an injury can depend on factors such as the voltage involved, how long the contact lasted and which parts of the body the current passed through.

Electric shock injuries can range from relatively minor symptoms to life-changing physical and psychological harm. Understanding the full extent of your injuries is often an important step when assessing whether you could be entitled to compensation. If you have been affected by an electrical accident, our advisors can discuss your circumstances and explain your options during a free consultation.

What Injuries Could An Electric Shock Cause?

Electric shock injuries can include burns, nerve damage, cardiac complications and psychological trauma. The solicitors at Accident Claims can help ensure the full extent of your electrical shock injury is properly considered when pursuing a compensation claim.

Common injuries include:

  • Electrical burns and thermal burns
  • Nerve damage
  • Muscle spasms and damage
  • Cardiac complications and irregular heart rhythms
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation
  • Internal organ damage
  • Psychological trauma
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of sensation or mobility

The injuries suffered after an electric shock can play an important role in electric shock accident claims. Message the team at Accident Claims now to discuss what injuries you suffered and find out if you could claim compensation.

A gloved hand poking wires with a sparking wire next to a danger electric shock sign.

Can I Make An Electric Shock Accident Claim?

Yes, you could be eligible to make an electric shock compensation claim if your injuries were caused by someone who was responsible for your safety failing to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. This responsibility is known as a duty of care.

A duty of care is a legal responsibility to protect people from avoidable harm. The person or organisation responsible will depend on where and how the electric shock occurred.

Our solicitors will investigate whether you meet the electric shock accident claims criteria:

  • A person, business or organisation was responsible for your safety.
  • They failed to meet the standards expected of them.
  • That failure caused the electric shock accident, resulting in injuries.

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, our solicitors can review the circumstances of your accident and examine whether you can move forward with a claim for personal injury compensation.

Who Is Responsible After An Electric Shock Is Sustained?

Who is responsible after an electric shock injury is sustained will depend on the circumstances of the accident and who owed you a duty of care at the time. Depending on where the incident occurred, this could be an employer, the occupier of a public place, or the manufacturer or supplier of a defective electrical product. Our solicitors can help identify the correct party while investigating your compensation claim.

Can I Claim For An Electric Shock At Work?

Yes, you could claim for an electric shock at work if your employer failed to take reasonable steps to protect your safety and this caused your injuries. Employers have legal responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment. If these responsibilities are not met and an employee suffers harm as a result, compensation may be available. Our solicitors can help establish whether workplace safety failings contributed to the accident by examining the available evidence.

Example: An employer fails to follow safe isolation procedures before asking an electrician to carry out maintenance work. The electrician receives a severe electric shock from live equipment, suffering burns, nerve damage and psychological trauma.

If you would like to learn more about claiming after a workplace accident, you can also visit our dedicated accident at work claims guide.

Am I Able To Claim If I Got An Electric Shock In A Public Place?

Yes, you could be able to claim if you suffered an electric shock in a public place because the organisation responsible for the premises failed to address an avoidable electrical hazard. Those in control of public spaces have a duty to ensure your reasonable safety while you are visiting under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. Public place electric shock claims often involve faulty electrical installations or maintenance failures.

For example: A visitor receives an electric shock from exposed faulty wiring in a leisure centre changing room. Maintenance records later show the defect had been reported but not repaired. In these circumstances, our solicitors could investigate inspection and maintenance records to help establish whether the organisation responsible for the premises knew, or ought reasonably to have known, about the electrical hazard before the accident occurred.

If you were injured in a publicly accessible place, you may also find it helpful to read our guide to public liability accident claims.

My Electric Shock Was Caused By A Defective Product, Can I Make A Claim?

Yes, you could be eligible to make a claim if a defective product caused your electric shock injury. Electric shock accident claims involving faulty products can arise where an electrical item was unsafe, developed a fault or failed to perform as consumers were entitled to expect.

Defective product claims are typically brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. This legislation allows individuals to pursue compensation where a product was not as safe as people were generally entitled to expect and caused injury as a result. Compensation may be available against the manufacturer, importer or, in some circumstances, another party within the supply chain responsible for placing the product on the market.

Example: A consumer suffers burns and nerve damage after using a pair of hair straighteners that develop an electrical fault during normal use. An investigation later reveals a manufacturing defect affecting the product.

Whether your electric shock was caused by unsafe working practices, an electrical hazard in a public place or a defective electrical product, our solicitors can assess your circumstances and explain whether you could be entitled to compensation. Contact Accident Claims today for a free consultation and find out how we could help you start your electric shock accident claim.

A woman giving a man physical therapy for electric shock injuries.

How Much Compensation Could I Claim For An Electric Shock Injury?

Compensation for an electric shock injury will depend on the severity of your injuries, their long-term effects and their impact on your daily life and finances.  While some people recover relatively quickly, others experience ongoing symptoms, permanent disability or psychological trauma that can significantly increase the value of a claim.

Compensation for physical and psychological injuries is known as general damages. This part of a settlement is intended to compensate for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by an injury. Loss of amenity refers to the negative impact an injury has on your ability to enjoy everyday activities, hobbies, work and other aspects of normal life.

When valuing claims, solicitors often refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG provides guideline compensation amounts for different injuries.  Rather than providing fixed amounts, it offers guideline figures that help legal professionals assess the potential value of different injuries based on their severity and long-term effects.

The solicitors at Accident Claims can use the JCG alongside medical evidence and the specific facts of your case to assess how your injuries may be valued.

The table below provides a selection of compensation brackets that may be relevant to electric shock injuries. The first row is not taken from the JCG and instead reflects the fact that a lot of claims may involve multiple very severe injuries and substantial financial losses. All remaining figures are guideline brackets taken from the JCG. These figures are intended for illustrative purposes only.

Injury + SeverityNotes From The JCGCompensation Bracket
Multiple severe injuries and related expensesSettlements will compensate for more than one severe injury and related costs, including lost earnings, rehabilitation and nursing careUp to £1,000,000+
Paralysis - TetraplegiaThe higher end of this bracket is applicable to cases where there is physical pain present.£428,850 to £533,720
Paralysis - ParaplegiaVarious factors such as degree of independence will affect the amount awarded.£289,420 to £375,540
Brain damage - Very SevereLittle meaningful response to environment, extensive care needs and severe physical limitations£372,570 to £533,720
Brain Damage - Moderately SevereSubstantial dependence on others and significant physical or cognitive impairment£289,420 to £372,570
Kidney damageSerious and permanent damage affecting kidney function or loss of both kidneys.£223,800 to £277,980
Chest injuryTotal removal of one lung and/or serious heart damage with prolonged suffering and permanent effects£133,000 to £198,320
Chest InjuryPermanent impairment of function, physical disability and reduced life expectancy£86,860 to £133,000
Post traumatic stress disorder - SeverePermanent effects preventing a return to pre-trauma functioning and affecting all aspects of life£79,080 to £133,000
Scarring to Other Parts of the Body - Burns Covering 40% or More of the BodyFactors affecting awards include the extent and depth of the burns, cosmetic impact, the need for surgery, any resulting physical disability and the psychological effects of the injury.Likely to exceed £138,490
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What Other Costs Could Be Claimed After An Electric Shock Accident?

Other costs that could be claimed after an electric shock injury include any financial losses caused by your injuries, such as lost earnings and medical expenses. These additional losses are known as special damages. The solicitors at Accident Claims can help identify losses that might otherwise be missed, explain what supporting evidence may be required and ensure that any claim reflects both the physical and financial consequences of the accident.

To help you better understand special damages, we’ve created this infographic.

info graphic showing potential special damages that can apply in electric shock accident claims

If you are unsure what your claim could include, our advisors can review your circumstances and explain your options during a free consultation.

Fatal Electric Shock Accident Claims

Sadly, some electric shock accidents result in fatal injuries. In these circumstances, compensation may still be available, but who can claim and what can be claimed will depend on whether the claim is being brought by the deceased person’s estate or by eligible dependants.

The First 6 Months Following The Death

The deceased person’s estate can pursue a claim for the pain and suffering experienced before death, together with any financial losses incurred before they passed away. The estate can also bring a claim that includes losses suffered by qualifying dependants. During the first 6 months following a death, the estate is the only party that can start legal proceedings.

Dependant Claims

If no claim has been made by the estate within this period on their behalf, certain family members can bring a claim. These individuals are known as dependants and can include spouses, civil partners, certain cohabiting partners, parents, children and other qualifying relatives.

Compensation in a fatal claim may include funeral expenses, loss of financial dependency, loss of services provided by the deceased and, in some cases, a statutory bereavement award.

If you would like more detailed information about claiming after a fatal accident, you may find it helpful to read our dedicated fatal accident claims guide.

Our advisors can explain the options available and discuss who may be entitled to claim during this already difficult time.

How Can I Bring A Claim After An Electric Shock?

Bringing electric shock accident claims involves gathering evidence, obtaining medical treatment and ensuring any claim is started within the relevant time limit. While every case is different, taking the right steps after an electric shock can help establish how the accident occurred, demonstrate the impact of the injuries and strengthen the evidence available to support a claim. The solicitors at Accident Claims can guide you through each stage of the process.

Obtain Medical Attention As Soon As Possible

Your health should always be the first priority following an electric shock. Electric shocks can affect the heart, nervous system and other internal systems, making prompt medical assessment particularly important.

Our solicitors can request a copy of your medical records. These can form an important part of electric shock accident claims because they help document the injuries suffered and the treatment required.

Gather Evidence Relating To The Accident

Evidence can play an important role in electric shock accident claims because it may help establish how the accident occurred, what caused the electrical hazard and who was responsible for addressing it. Our solicitors are experts in electric shock accident claims and can help obtain evidence such as photographs of exposed wiring, defective electrical equipment or the accident scene, maintenance and inspection records showing whether faults had previously been identified, and witness details from anyone who saw the accident or its immediate aftermath.

For a more detailed explanation of the items that can support electric shock accident claims, you may find it helpful to read our dedicated guide on what evidence is needed for a personal injury claim.

Ensure The Incident Is Recorded

Creating a formal record of the accident can help establish when and where the incident occurred. For workplace accidents, this may involve ensuring the incident is recorded in the employer’s accident book. If the accident occurred in a public place, it should generally be reported to the organisation responsible for the premises. Where a defective product is involved, retaining the product and any associated documentation can be particularly important.

Keep Records Of Your Recovery And Financial Losses

Electric shock injuries can affect people in different ways and may continue to cause problems long after the initial accident. Keeping records of symptoms, medical appointments, treatment, time away from work, and financial losses can help demonstrate the full impact of the accident. Our team can then use this information when assessing both the injury itself and any additional losses that may form part of a claim.

Seek Advice From A Specialist Solicitor

Electric shock accident claims can involve complex issues relating to workplace safety, premises liability or defective products. The solicitors at Accident Claims can build the strongest possible case on your behalf and guide you through the claims process on a No Win No Fee basis.

Be Aware Of The Relevant Time Limit

Most electric shock accident claims involving personal injuries must be started within 3 years of the incident. However, exceptions can apply for those unable to manage their claim.

Where a claim relates solely to a defective consumer product and no personal injury is being pursued, different limitation periods apply. Our advisors can explain which time limit is likely to apply to your circumstances and help ensure important deadlines are not missed.

You can also view our guide to personal injury claim time limits for a more detailed explanation of limitation periods and the exceptions that may apply.

Our advisors can review the circumstances of the accident, explain what evidence may help support a claim and discuss the next steps available to you.

A man with burn injuries and arm in a sling making a personal injury claim at a laptop.

Electric Shock Compensation With Accident Claims

Some electric shock injuries resolve quickly, while others can have lasting consequences that are not immediately apparent. Accident Claims understands the unique challenges these cases can present and can help ensure the wider impact of the accident is properly recognised from the outset.

Why Trust Accident Claims After An Electric Shock Injury?

There are several reasons to trust Accident Claims after an electric shock injury, including our experience handling complex compensation claims and our commitment to providing straightforward legal guidance. Electric shock accident claims can involve multiple injuries and issues that are not always easy to navigate alone. Our solicitors can explain the process clearly, answer your questions and help you understand the options available based on your individual circumstances. Some of the ways we can help you include:

  • Investigating delayed symptoms linked to an electric shock, including heart, neurological and psychological complications that may not become apparent immediately after the accident.
  • Gathering medical and other supporting evidence to demonstrate the full impact the electric shock has had on your daily life, work and independence.
  • Ensuring psychological injuries, cognitive difficulties and other less visible effects of an electric shock are properly reflected when valuing your claim.
  • Assessing how future treatment needs, ongoing symptoms and long-term recovery could affect the compensation sought on your behalf.
  • Managing the claims process from start to finish, providing regular updates and expert guidance while you focus on your recovery.

Can I Claim After An Electric Shock On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Yes, you may be able to make electric shock accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis if your case is accepted by one of our solicitors. A No Win No Fee agreement can allow eligible claimants to pursue compensation without paying solicitor’s fees upfront, making legal representation more accessible following an electric shock injury.

If your claim is suitable for a No Win No Fee agreement, our solicitors will offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee agreement.

Under a CFA, you will not be required to pay solicitor’s fees at the beginning of your case or while the claim is ongoing. If the claim does not succeed, you will not be responsible for paying your solicitor’s fees for the work carried out on the claim.

If compensation is awarded, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from the compensation. This fee is a legally capped percentage of the compensation and will be discussed with you before you decide whether to proceed, ensuring you understand how the agreement works from the outset.

Speak To Accident Claims’ Solicitors

If you suffered an electric shock injury and are unsure whether compensation may be available, Accident Claims can help you understand your options during a free consultation. Let us review the circumstances of the accident, answer your questions and provide clear guidance before you decide whether to proceed.

Learn More

Here are a few more guides from Accident Claims that you might find interesting:

A few external resources to help you following an electric shock:

Speak to Accident Claims today to discuss electric shock accident claims and find out what action may be available based on your individual circumstances.