Property, Utility, or Product: Who Is Liable?
One of the first questions in an electrical injury case is which kind of hazard caused it, because that points to different responsible parties and different ways of proving the case.
A property hazard
When the injury came from a building's wiring, outlets, or fixtures, the property owner — and any contractor who did faulty work — is usually responsible. It turns on the maintenance, permit, and inspection records and an expert examination of the system.
A utility or a product
When a power line caused it, the utility is usually the responsible party, held to a high degree of care for its lines. When a tool, appliance, or electrical product caused it, the manufacturer may be responsible under product-liability principles. Each is a different case built on different evidence.
The bottom line
Because a single injury can involve a property owner, a contractor, a utility, and a manufacturer — sometimes several at once — a proper investigation traces the hazard and identifies every responsible party. That is what a thorough case requires, and why preserving the evidence matters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know who to hold responsible for my shock?
By tracing exactly what caused it — a building's wiring points to the owner and contractor, a power line to the utility, and a defective tool to the manufacturer. Experts and the records establish it, and more than one party may be responsible.
This is general information about Electrocution Injuries injury claims, not legal advice. Every situation is different.
The law depends on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to electrocution injuries.
Not sure which applies to you?
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