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Electrocution accidents can have devastating consequences, ranging from minor injuries to the tragic loss of a loved one. In Maryland, wrongful death lawsuits due to electrocution are a harsh reality, often involving complex legal battles to secure compensation for grieving families.
Shockingly, a 2024 study by Grace Technologies revealed a 29% surge in Lockout/Tagout violations — a critical safety procedure designed to prevent these very tragedies.
In this article, we’ll talk about electrocution lawsuits and present real case studies in Maryland showing how these lawsuits concluded.
You'll also learn:
Let’s get started by explaining what an electrocution lawsuit is and the different types out there.
Electrocution lawsuits can take various forms depending on the nature of the accident and the parties involved. Understanding these types can help you assess which category a particular case might fall under and how it could proceed in court.
While these cases vary, most lawsuits follow one of the following categories:
In these cases, the owner of a property is held responsible for failing to maintain safe electrical conditions. Owners have a legal obligation to guarantee that their premises are safe, which includes managing electrical systems that could pose a risk to the general public.
If a property owner fails to maintain safe electrical wiring or equipment, they could be held liable if an electrocution accident occurs.
For example, a landlord who ignores faulty wiring in a rental home could be sued if a tenant or contractor is injured or killed due to an electrical accident.
In a case such as this, the plaintiff must prove that the property owner either knew about the danger or should have known about it through regular inspections and maintenance.
Defective products are a common source of electrocution accidents, especially in homes and workplaces. Product liability lawsuits occur when an electrical product malfunctions and causes an electrocution injury or death.
In Maryland, the plaintiff in a product liability lawsuit must demonstrate that the product in question was either defectively manufactured, designed, or that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the product’s potential risks.
A classic example is a power tool that lacks proper insulation or grounding, resulting in the user being electrocuted. These lawsuits can target the manufacturer, the distributor, or the retailer who sold the product, depending on where the fault lies.
Many workplace electrocution accidents are covered under workers' compensation laws. However, there are instances where a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or a subcontractor, can be held liable.
For instance, if a piece of equipment was defectively designed or improperly maintained by a subcontractor, the victim or their family may file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, even if workers' compensation has been awarded.
Proving liability in these cases requires gathering substantial evidence from the accident scene, expert testimony about safety standards, and a detailed investigation into the equipment's history.
Negligence is a common factor in many electrocution cases, particularly those that involve faulty wiring, improper maintenance, or failure to follow safety protocols.
In a negligence-based lawsuit, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the victim a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the electrocution and subsequent death.
An example might involve an electrician who failed to follow industry-standard practices when installing wiring, leading to a tragic accident. These lawsuits can be challenging to win without strong evidence that the defendant's actions (or inactions) directly led to the fatal accident.
Electric shock and electrocution both involve exposure to electrical currents, but the legal treatment of these cases can differ significantly.
Understanding the distinction between shock vs. electrocution claims is critical for determining how much compensation victims or their families may receive. Let’s take a closer look at how these are different:
Electric shock claims involve non-fatal injuries, which can still be severe and life-altering. Victims often experience burns, muscle damage, neurological issues, and even cardiac problems as a result of being shocked.
In these cases, the plaintiff seeks compensation for medical bills, long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, and any permanent disabilities.
Electric shock claims, while serious, do not usually result in as large of settlements as wrongful death electrocution lawsuits. Because the victim is still alive, the damages are typically more straightforward — medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income.
However, it can be difficult to quantify the long-term impact of electric shocks, especially when the full extent of injuries is not immediately known. Some victims suffer cognitive impairment or chronic pain that may not be evident until years after the accident.
In contrast, electrocution lawsuits deal with fatal injuries and tend to result in higher settlements or verdicts.
Since these cases involve the loss of life, the stakes are much higher, and the family of the victim can claim a wide range of damages, including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for emotional suffering.
In electrocution cases, proving liability is more challenging, as the defense may argue contributory negligence or attempt to shift blame to another party.
If successful, electrocution lawsuits can result in much greater settlement awards, as seen in several Maryland cases where punitive damages were awarded due to gross negligence by the defendant.
Let’s now take a look at some cases that have happened in Maryland in the past years:
This case involved two workers who tragically lost their lives in Charles County when the boom of their concrete pumping machine made contact with a high-voltage power line.
The estates of the workers filed wrongful death lawsuits against both the seller and manufacturer of the equipment.
The plaintiffs argued that the machine lacked adequate warning labels and was not equipped with the necessary safety features, such as insulation to prevent contact with electrical currents. Let’s share key details of this case and what the outcome was:
In Prince George’s County, a woman was electrocuted after coming into contact with a downed power line following a severe storm.
The line had not been repaired promptly, and the victim’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the utility company responsible for maintaining the lines. Here are some key details about the case and what ended up happening in the end:
A contractor working on an older home in Maryland was electrocuted while repairing a light fixture located above a skylight.
The home, built in the late 1800s, had undergone various electrical upgrades over the years, but many of these upgrades were made without permits or inspections. The outdated wiring and lack of grounding made the home particularly dangerous.
Here are some key details about the case and how it was resolved:
When faced with the tragic loss of a loved one due to electrocution, having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference.
Christopher L. Beard has extensive experience in handling wrongful death cases, particularly those involving complex electrocution lawsuits in Maryland.
With a proven track record of success, including securing multi-million dollar settlements for victims' families, Attorney Beard is committed to helping clients navigate the legal complexities of these cases.
Whether the electrocution was caused by faulty wiring, defective products, or negligence on the part of a property owner, Attorney Beard and his team will thoroughly investigate the incident and pursue every avenue to ensure justice is served.
His practice areas include:
If you or a loved one has been affected by an electrical accident, reach out. Contact Christopher L. Beard today for a free consultation or call (443) 569-3950. With his expertise, you’ll have the guidance and support needed to secure the compensation you deserve.
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