How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 2,014 severe cases of electrical injury over the last decade. These incidents frequently lead to complications that are not immediately visible on your skin.
The consequences of these injuries extend far beyond initial contact. You may face long-term neurological damage, cardiac irregularities, and secondary injuries from falls or muscle contractions, which can permanently alter your ability to perform physical labor.
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Check My BenefitsWhat causes Electrical Injuries
Direct exposure to electricity is the primary cause of these injuries, accounting for 73% of all severe cases. Most incidents occur when you make contact with live electrical parts or energized equipment during routine maintenance, troubleshooting, or installation tasks.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Direct exposure to electricity | 1,479 |
| 2 | Indirect exposure to electricity | 317 |
| 3 | Exposure to electric arc | 120 |
| 4 | Exposure to electricity— unspecified | 71 |
| 5 | Fall on same level | 5 |
| 6 | Other fall to lower level | 4 |
| 7 | Nonroadway collision with object other than vehicle | 3 |
| 8 | Explosion— n.e.c. | 2 |
Where injuries happen most
Construction accounts for 45% of all severe electrical injuries, as you frequently operate near exposed wiring and high-voltage power lines. The nature of these environments, combined with the use of heavy machinery and temporary power setups, creates frequent opportunities for accidental contact.
Real cases like yours
Recurring patterns in these reports show that electrical injuries often happen when you perform maintenance on energized equipment or work near power sources without adequate protection. If your injury occurred during similar maintenance or troubleshooting tasks, an attorney can help you review the specific safety failures involved in your case.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TX | Utilities | "An employee was changing out load break switches while positioned on the ground next to a bucket. The bucket truck became energized by a nearby electrical line and the employee sustained an electrical shock via contact with the bucket truck." | |
| 2025 | FL | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was preparing to replace a ceiling light fixture in the kitchen area. He removed two ceiling tiles, reached to touch the back of the housing of the light fixture, and contacted a live electrical wire. The employee sustained an electric shock and second-degree burns on his left hand." | |
| 2025 | GA | Transportation & Warehousing | "On July 29, 2025, an employee was troubleshooting and/or changing an emergency power connector on an aircraft. The employee experienced an electrical shock when an exterior electrical source was activated. The employee was hospitalized for electric shock and burns on their lower right arm." | |
| 2025 | IL | Manufacturing | "An employee was welding a bearing on a piece of equipment. He was lying on the belt while performing this task. The welding rod contacted the employee or the belt and the employee was shocked by electricity. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "A three-person crew was inter-setting a new utility pole. An employee was working to cut the conductor when a 14.4-kV arc flash occurred. The employee sustained burns to the upper-right torso. The employee was wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including flame-resistant clothing, rubber gloves, and sleeves." | |
| 2025 | KS | Administrative Services | "An employee was operating a vacuum truck, using the controls to raise the bed. As it rose, the bed touched an overhead power line. Electricity passed through the employee, entering through their left hand and exiting through their left toe." | |
| 2025 | GA | Construction | "An employee was replacing a circuit breaker in a panel and sustained electrical burns to his right hand and both forearms." | |
| 2025 | LA | Construction | "The injured employee was standing in the man basket of an aerial lift as another employee drove the lift across the yard to their destination. The two employees were going to torque nuts that were installed on the 4-hole pads of elevated substation equipment (including various types of transformers, lightning arresters, etc.). At their destination, they were ascending in the man basket when electricity arced to the basket. The injured employee sustained arc flash burns to their face and right arm." | |
| 2025 | OK | Utilities | "Three employees were performing updates on electrical lines. One employee was operating the digger truck. The digger operator swung the boom with an attached auger. The injured employee went to reposition the auger as the boom made contact with the electrified line above. The injured employee was shocked and sustained an exit wound on the outside of their left little toe. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Other Services | "On July 17, 2025, after someone reported a burning smell at the car wash exit near the washing machine, an employee was inspecting the area. When the employee touched the washing machine, he was electrocuted and hospitalized." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.