Electrocutions are the second leading cause of death in the construction industry and the fifth leading cause of work-related deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When utility companies fail to follow required safety standards or inspect overhead lines regularly, they put the public at severe risk of harm.
For more than 30 years, Langdon & Emison has litigated cases involving catastrophic injury and death from electrocution; our attorneys have deep experience in and understanding of:
- National Electrical Safety Code standards and clearance requirements.
- Construction specifications for power lines.
- Design and function of power lines and de-energization equipment.
- Power line testing and maintenance procedures and requirements.
Victims of electrical injury cases and their families may be entitled to compensation. For a free case evaluation or to refer a case, contact Langdon & Emison at 866-931-2115 or complete the online form.
We’ve Recovered Millions for Electrical Injury Clients
Clients come to Langdon & Emison for legal help with cases involving electrical injuries because we win. For more than three decades, we have taken on utility companies and other negligent parties and have obtained millions of dollars in recoveries for our clients. Below is one example of a case we successfully resolved.
Case Example: Minter v. Union Electric/Ameren UE, Confidential Settlement
Langdon & Emison obtained a confidential settlement on behalf of Ronald Minter, Missouri man who was severely shocked by overhead power lines while working on top of a canopy in Lathrop, Mo., that was adjacent to 7,200 volt power lines owned and maintained by Union Electric (Ameren UE). As Mr. Minter removed metal skirting on the edge of the canopy, a high-power electrical transfer occurred. Mr. Minter suffered severe burns to his arms, chest, and thighs and his right arm had to be amputated.
When contact with power lines occurs, most lines are designed to de-energize and shut off the electrical current. De-energization equipment, such as circuit reclosers, limit electrical exposure to a fraction of a second rather than several seconds. Langdon & Emison successfully showed that the recloser did not operate properly and, as a result, the power lines did not de-energize as a result. The legal team also showed that the power lines did not meet national clearance standards and were not inspected properly.
