| Electrical injuries can occur in a variety of settings. | | | | skin. |
| Adults often suffer from electrical injuries as a result | | | | Electrical shocks can affect the body in several ways. |
| of workplace accidents, whereas children often | | | | In addition to burns, victims of electrical injuries may |
| suffer these injuries in the home. Electrical injuries can | | | | experience the following: |
| range from mild to severe and life-threatening, and | | | | Cardiac arrhythmias- ventricular fibrillation, the |
| complications may be readily apparent or late in | | | | chaotic quivering of the ventricles, and asystole, the |
| developing. | | | | absence of a heart rhythm, commonly affect those |
| It is estimated that electrical injuries cause 500 to | | | | who have suffered an electrical injury. Victims |
| 1,000 deaths per year in the U.S.; 3 to 5% of | | | | suffering from either of these arrhythmias require |
| admissions to burn units are a result of electrical | | | | immediate CPR and defibrillation in order to survive. |
| injuries. Electrical injuries are the fifth leading cause of | | | | Other, less threatening arrhythmias can occur, and |
| death among workers. Injuries to workers most | | | | may have a delayed presentation. |
| often occur in construction, manufacturing and the | | | | Respiratory arrest- although the lungs are not |
| electrical trades. | | | | good conductors of electricity, a victim may |
| Electrical burns are common following an electrical | | | | experience the cessation of breathing if the brain or |
| shock. These types of injuries are dependent upon | | | | chest is directly involved in the current pathway. |
| several factors, such as the amount of energy | | | | Neurologic problems- victims who suffer electrical |
| (voltage) involved, the direction of the current, the | | | | injuries may suffer damage to the spinal cord, |
| type of current, and the duration of time that the | | | | seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion and |
| victim is in contact with electrical energy: | | | | amnesia. Long-term neurological deficits may present |
| Direct contact burns- electrical energy passing | | | | themselves after the acute phase of the injury. |
| through the tissue will cause damage to the skin | | | | Musculoskeletal injuries- victims of injuries may |
| surface, as well as to the tissue below, depending on | | | | experience secondary injuries such as fractures due |
| the factors above. Generally, there will be damage at | | | | to falling or blunt trauma. For example, a worker on a |
| the contact point and at the ground point. | | | | telephone pole may fall a great distance if |
| Electrical arcs- electrical energy causes current | | | | electrocuted by a live wire, resulting in multiple bone |
| sparks that travel between objects of differing | | | | fractures. |
| electrical potential, as in a highly charged source and a | | | | These injuries can be life-threatening and sometimes |
| ground, resulting in deep thermal burns. There may | | | | result in death. Survivors of such injuries may require |
| also be thermal and flame burns along the pathway | | | | extensive treatment and rehabilitation. The cost of |
| of the arc. | | | | these injuries can be overwhelming, physically, |
| Flame burns- clothing can be ignited, causing | | | | emotionally and financially. In cases of electrical shock |
| direct contact burns from the flames. | | | | that occur in the workplace, as a result of faulty |
| Flash burns- persons close to an electrical arc can | | | | equipment or as a result of negligence on behalf of |
| experience flash burns which may cover large | | | | another, victims of electrical injuries and their families |
| surfaces of the body. These burns are not usually | | | | may want to consider seeking legal advice to protect |
| full-thickness burns, but may involve large areas of | | | | their rights. Compensation is often indicated. |