The answer…yes (dependent on the circumstances of course!)
To clarify; you wouldn’t be able to claim for the shock or ‘snap’ you feel from the static on your carpet or when you shut your car door now and again. If you had misused a product in an unreasonable manner which had caused the shock to arise then again it is unlikely you will be able to make a claim.
But what if a product you have purchased is faulty and caused you a serious electric shock? What if your apparatus at work is faulty and you have experienced a shock which has resulted in severe injuries?
If you have suffered an electric shock or electrocution as a result of a faulty product, the negligence of your Employers, school, owners of the property – then you may be entitled to bring a claim for personal injury.
If a product purchased is faulty then you may be able to claim against the retailer for failing to sell you a product which is not ‘fit for purpose‘ or of ‘satisfactory quality‘. When you purchase any product you do so in the good faith that it will do what you expect it do i.e. it does what it says on the packet! You do not expect to be harmed as a result of using the product for its intended use.
Injuries sustained from electrocution can be very serious and it is likely you will experience shock and burns to the skin. The affect to your skin will depend on how resilient your skin is and how long the current is in contact with your skin for. The burn will appear where the current enters and exits the body.
Electrocution can be very serious and if damage is caused to the respiratory or cardiovascular system it can be fatal. A current which disrupts the heart rhythm can cause a heart attack and even death.
If you have experienced an electric shock or electrocution which has left you with injuries, you should seek legal advice straight away as you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation!
