Denver Electrocution Injury Lawyers
Electric Shock Accident Injury Attorney near Boulder Colorado
Every year in the United States thousands of victims are seriously injured because of faulty or defective electrical wiring, inadequate safety or defective products. Over 400 people are electrocuted annually and, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 40% of those are consumer product-related electrocution deaths.
At Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC, we have the engineering expertise and case experience to evaluate electrocution and electric shock accidents. Frequently these cases are complicated by occurrence on the job, and by the negligence of a third party - either through negligent conduct or a defective product. We handle these cases in a through manner, investigating all factors which contribute to the shock or electrocution of an innocent victim.
Remember, low voltage does not mean low hazard! Currents greater than 75 mA (1 milliampere = 1/1000 of an ampere) can cause ventricular fibrillation (rapid, ineffective heartbeat) and will cause death in a few minutes unless a defibrillator is used. And a flow of 75 mA is not much current - a small power drill uses 30 times as much!
If you or a loved one has been injured by an electric shock, call or contact a lawyer at our office for legal advice. We would welcome an opportunity to discuss your injury case and potential lawsuit.
Examples of Our Success
Wrongful Death Claim for Son Electrocuted on the Job
Tina Mays brought a lawsuit against Knight Light, Inc. for the wrongful death of her 28 year old son, Gerard "Jerry" Mitchell, who was electrocuted when he came into contact with a 277 volt energized circuit. Knight Light hired Jerry as an independent contractor to remove existing electrical ballasts in lighting fixtures on the fourth floor of the Texaco Building, and to replace them with new, energy efficient ballasts.
Jerry Mitchell was not an electrician. Knight Light knew this. Knight Light did not provide any personal protective equipment to Jerry and falsely suggested that the power to the emergency lighting could not be turned off, and that Jerry would have to work on the emergency lighting "live". Knight Light considered it an "acceptable risk" to have Jerry Mitchell and the other independent contractors work on the live, energized 277 volt wires. From a legal perspective, this made Jerry's work inherently dangerous and, therefore, Knight Light legally responsible for Jerry's death.
Knight Light could not escape liability by claiming that Jerry Mitchell's own negligence caused his death. Even though Knight Light hired Jerry Mitchell as an independent contractor, Knight Light was liable because engaging in an inherently dangerous activity (as this was) brings the action within the exception to the normal rule that an employer of an independent contractor is not liable for injuries resulting from the negligence of the contractor.
Ms. Mays ultimately settled her wrongful death claim for $175,000.00.
Contact an attorney at Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC today.
"Past results are no guarantee of future results."
