Electric Shock Drowning In Boating Accidents
With the pandemic numbers decreasing and the world returning to normal, many people around the Nashville area are getting back on the water and enjoying being on a boat this summer. It is important that the vessel’s electrical system be maintained regularly because failures in the system can lead to electric shock drowning. This hidden safety hazard causes serious injuries and deaths every year, and the experienced Nashville boat accident attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help get you the compensation you deserve after a boating accident. To learn more, call or contact us for a free consultation.
What is Electric Shock Drowning?
Electric shock drowning occurs when faulty wiring or damaged electrical cords in a boat sends an electric current into the water, which passes through the bodies of anyone touching the water and causes muscle paralysis. This paralysis makes it impossible for victims to move, swim, or stay afloat in the water, which often leads to drowning or near drowning incidents. Electric shock drowning only happens in fresh water, such as rivers or lakes. There is no visible warning to electrified water, and as little as 10 milliamps, or 1/50 of the power needed to use a lightbulb, can cause electric shock drowning.
If you see someone that is suffering from electric shock drowning while out on the water it is critical that you do not go into the water to help. Turn all power off on your vessel, throw a life ring, and call 911 for help.
Injuries Caused by Electric Shock Drowning
The injuries caused by electric shock drowning can be severe and result in a lifetime of disability or worse. This type of boating accident can cause the following injuries for electric shock victims:
- Muscle damage
- Nerve damage
- Heart damage
- Heart attack
- Internal tissue burns
- Brain damage
- Internal organ damage
- Hypoxia
- Hypoventilation
- Coma
- Death
If you or someone you know has been injured in an electric shock drowning it is critical that only a top tier personal injury attorney handle the case.
Compensation for Electric Shock Drowning Injuries
Victims of electric shock drowning are entitled to economic and noneconomic compensation for their injuries. Economic damages include all current and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and the loss of any future income or benefits. Noneconomic damages compensate a victim for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In the worst cases of electric shock drowning, where the victim dies as a result of their injuries, the family of the victim can also seek compensation for wrongful death. This type of claim compensates a family for any final medical bills, their loved one’s pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs, and for the loss of love, companionship, guidance, and support.
Call or Contact Our Office Now
To learn more about your legal options after a boating accident in the Nashville area, call or contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates today for a free case evaluation.
Resource:
esfi.org/electric-shock-drowning
