Electrocution Injuries and Premises Liability Claims in Texas
If you or someone you care about has suffered an electrocution injury, everything can change in a split second. One moment, you’re just going about your day at work, visiting a friend, or plugging in a simple appliance. Next, you’re facing a medical emergency you never saw coming. The pain can be intense, and sometimes the injuries are far worse than they look at first. Suddenly, you’re dealing with hospital bills, missing work, and getting calls from insurance adjusters, all while you’re just trying to get your bearings. It’s normal to feel scared, angry, or completely overwhelmed.
A Simple Explanation From a Texas Injury Lawyer
I’m Brad Parker. When you’re facing a crisis, you don’t need a bunch of legal expressions; you need straight answers, real compassion, and a clear plan. At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, that’s what we aim to provide. I want to walk you through, in plain English, how an electrocution injury can turn into a premises liability claim here in Texas.
We’ll talk about who might be responsible, what kind of evidence matters, and why it’s so important to get in touch with to an experienced Texas injury lawyer. Remember, this is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, always talk to a licensed Texas attorney.
How Electrocution Injuries Become Premises Liability Claims
Here in Texas, a lot of electrocution injuries fall under what’s called premises liability. That’s simply a legal way of saying the property owner or whoever is in charge can be held accountable if something dangerous on their property hurts someone. When you walk into a store, visit a construction site, rent an apartment, or even go to a neighbor’s backyard, you expect the place to be safe, especially from hidden electrical dangers. If there’s an unsafe electrical problem and the owner knew about it (or should have known) but didn’t fix it or warn you, you may have a premises liability claim.
Common Electrical Risks We See
These electrical dangers are usually specific and could have been prevented. I have seen cases with exposed wiring left after quick renovations, power lines hung too low over work areas, pool pumps or lights that were not grounded properly, and old electrical panels in apartments that did not meet safety standards. In each case, people had no way to know about the danger. If a property owner fails to check that the electrical system is safe and someone is injured, that situation will give rise to a premises liability claim under Texas law.
Negligence and Legal Status on the Property
To determine whether a claim exists, we first look at negligence, failing to act as a reasonably careful person would under similar circumstances. In an electrocution case, this might entail a landlord ignoring reports of sparking outlets, a property manager skipping inspections, or a contractor telling someone to cut into a wall without confirming that the power is off.
The law also looks at why you were on the property. Customers, tenants, and workers who are there for business are usually called invitees. Property owners must look out for them, which means they must fix the hazards and warn the invitees about dangers that cannot be fixed right away. Social guests, known as licensees, also deserve reasonable warnings and protection from known dangers.
Electrical Codes and Safety Standards Matter
Electrical safety is based on building and electrical codes and standards. If someone places the wrong wiring, skips safety devices, bypasses breakers, or installs electrical work without permits, these violations will support a negligence claim. Showing that a system does not meet the minimum standard is proof that the owner or contractor did not act responsibly.
Who May Be Responsible for an Electrocution Injury
Liability in electrocution cases is often wider than most people think. A lot of people think their only option after an electrocution injury is workers’ compensation or maybe a claim against a co-worker. However, there are often several different parties who could be responsible, because they control the property and fix hazards. Property management companies that ignore repair requests or maintenance reports are also held responsible.
Third-Party and Product Liability Claims
On construction sites, the responsibility rests with general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and utility companies. If a subcontractor leaves an energized wire exposed or a utility company does not mark lines correctly, they can be liable. These third-party claims are important in serious cases because workers’ compensation often does not cover pain and suffering or long-term effects.
Sometimes, the problem is with defective equipment such as a faulty power tool, breaker, lift, or extension cord. In those cases, the manufacturer who maintained the equipment might be responsible. One of the most important things we do as Texas personal injury lawyers is track down every possible source of insurance coverage in an electrocution case.
Proving Negligence in an Electrocution Injury Case
Careful investigation is needed to prove an electrocution case. We need to prove that someone owed you a duty to keep you safe and didn’t act responsibly and show that their actions (or lack of action) led to your injury. We do this by gathering evidence, records, and professional opinion.
At the site, we look for burn marks, damaged wiring, missing covers, exposed junction boxes, and breakers that have been repeatedly tripped without repair. We also review maintenance records and work orders to see whether prior issues were reported and ignored. Missing permits or incomplete inspections suggest unsafe work practices, even if they do not automatically prove negligence.
The Role of Expert Witnesses
Electricity is invisible, which makes it difficult to understand, so we need expert witnesses to help explain what happened. Electrical engineers show how the current moved and how the shock could have been prevented. Safety experts can explain what should have been done and where things went wrong. Medical experts explain how electricity can damage your body; even when the burns look small on the outside, they can still cause damage inside. All of these experts show what went wrong and how it could have been avoided.
Deadlines and Statutes of Limitations inside Texas
Timing is very important in electrocution cases. Texas law has deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and these can change for several reasons, such as your age, whether or not a government agency is involved, or if someone died. In many cases, you may have only two years. These rules are strict, and failing to meet the deadline can result in you losing your right to file. The best thing to do is talk to a Texas injury lawyer as soon as you can so that evidence is saved and deadlines are met.
Damages Available in Electrocution Injury Claims
Electrocution injuries can cause long-term problems like chronic pain, nerve damage, memory issues, or vision problems that do not always show up right away. Damages are meant to make up for what you lost. Economic damages include ER care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, skin grafts, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.
Non-economic damages address the emotional and physical distress, such as pain, anxiety around electrical devices, sleep problems, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Texas applies a modified comparative negligence system, which means compensation can be reduced if you are found even partly at fault, and is cut completely if your responsibility exceeds 50%. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate fault, and part of our role is pushing back against those claims.
What to Do After an Electrocution Injury
If you or a loved one suffers an electric shock, get medical help right away—even if you feel okay. Internal injuries and heart problems aren’t always obvious at first. Once you’ve taken care of your health, try to preserve any evidence you can. Take photos of the scene, the equipment, any standing water, missing warning signs, or open panels. Hang on to the device or tool that was involved and keep it somewhere safe.
You should report the incident to the property owner or your supervisor, and be careful about signing anything or giving recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but their job is to pay as little as possible. Before you give a detailed statement or sign authorizations, it’s best to talk to a lawyer who handles electrocution and premises liability cases.
How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help
When we take on a case, we step between you and the insurance company so you can focus on healing. We investigate the scene, preserve evidence, interview witnesses, work with experts, and manage the legal and insurance issues that most people cannot handle on their own. We’re not a high-volume firm. We limit our cases so we can focus on you, treat you like family, and give your case the attention it deserves. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Taking the Next Step
If you are not sure if your injury is a premises liability claim, and are worried about deadlines, contact us and ask. One conversation can help you better understand your options during such a difficult time. This information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different and depends on its facts, laws, and deadlines. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an electrocution incident in Texas, we are here to listen, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward justice. You do not have to go through this alone.
