Man Injured In Washington Park Power Line Electrocution Accident
Unsafe Premises - May 27, 2024
Man Severely Injured In Washington Park After Being Electrocuted By Live Wires Near 20th Street and Hill Avenue
WASHINGTON PARK, ILLINOIS (May 27, 2024) – A man was severely burned and injured after being electrocuted by a Washington Park utility pole near 20th Street and Hill Avenue.
Washington Park officials are saying that the incident took place around 7:38 a.m. on Wednesday. A man climbed a utility pole and was electrocuted in the process.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Firefighters used a bucket truck to carefully lower the victim to the ground.
It remains unknown at this time if the man was a worker, but police said that he did have the appropriate clothing for climbing a utility pole.
An ambulance took the victim to the hospital with major injuries and burns over half of his body. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Washington Park Electrocution Accidents
Most of the electrocution accidents that take place occur in a job setting. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Although there were 126 fatalities in 2020, exposure to electricity fatalities has stagnated at around 150 over the last decade. As a percentage of all workplace fatalities, exposure to electricity fatalities has decreased from 8% in 1980 to 3% in 2020.” There are a number of steps that employers should take in order to prevent electrocutions.
- Employers should provide regular training for all employees. This should emphasize the risk of electrical hazards.
- Employers should provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Employers should clearly label electrical hazards and post warning signs about electrical risks.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for an electrocution accident. An electrical company could face liability if they were supposed to deactivate power lines but failed to. Electrical companies have a legal obligation to maintain their lines in a reasonably safe condition. If an electrical company failed to maintain its lines in a reasonably safe condition, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Victims of electrocutions tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Burns
- Cardiac arrest
- Neurological injuries
- Organ damage
- Death
It can be difficult to know what to do after an electrocution accident. Victims may be left with high medical bills and may need to take extensive time off of work. Many people are so seriously injured that they may never be able to work again. It is important for victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person injured in an electrocution accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Illinois Electrocution Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the man injured in this Washington Park power line accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken in order to prevent similar tragedies.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Washington Park electrocution accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of electrocution accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that ancient victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
