The Long Term Effects of Electrical Injuries

Personal Injury

An electric shock occurs when a human body gets in contact with a voltage source that is high enough to allow current flow. Thousands of people die every year because of electric shock, and many of these deaths are usually as a result of negligence. That being said, you need to be very careful when handling any electric equipment and ensure that you follow all safety precautions when handling high-voltage equipment. Electric shock can cause both short term and long term damages. In this article, we are going to focus on the long-term effects of electrical injuries.

1. Loss of employment and future income

One of the long-term effects of electrical injuries is the loss of employment and future income. Electrocution can cause serious damages to the body that can make it difficult for a person to work. In the United States alone, over 5,000 workers have lost their job and future income because of electrical injuries. That is why people who have suffered from electrical injuries as a result of another party’s negligence are encouraged to file for a lawsuit. You have the right to demand compensation to cover high medical bills, loss of income, as well as emotional and psychological pain that the injury has caused.

1. Disability

Electric current is capable of causing deep and severe burn in the body due to power dissipation across the body’s electrical resistance. An electrical shock can interfere with various parts of the body, especially the lungs and the heart. This can cause permanent disability to the person affected. Studies have shown that 5% of all people who have been electrocuted have become permanently disabled. Being disabled means that your life has to change completely.

1. Low self-esteem and confidence

According to an article published by the Mayo Clinic, self-esteem and a lack of confidence are some of the long-term effects of electrical injuries. This is because many people who suffer from electrical injuries usually end up suffering from debilitating injuries that result in disfigurement, hence the lack of confidence. In addition, electrical energy can cause injuries that can make a person to start feeling that he/she is actually not good enough.

1. Loss of memory

A study that was conducted by clinicians from the University de Montreal Faculty of Medicine also found out that one of the long-term effects of electrical shock is a loss of memory. Their study says that electric shock ranging from 120 to 52,000 volts can cause neuropsychological and neurological symptoms in humans. Following an electric injury, some patients may show various behavioral and emotional aftereffects such as loss of memory. This is because electric shock can cause serious damages to the brain that can result in frequent memory loss.

1. Depression and post-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress and depression is a common long-term effect caused by electric injuries. This is especially common for people who experience the phantom phenomenon or can not let go of any involuntary muscle contractions prohibiting their release from electric current. Loss of consciousness and being knocked out from the electric source has also been linked with post-traumatic disorder and depression. Many people who have suffered from electric injuries have suffered from anxiety, poor quality of life, discrimination from people, a factor that usually end up causing the said depression and post-traumatic stress.