Steps to Take Immediately After a Power Lineman Accident

Power linemen provide an invaluable service to communities nationwide by ensuring that electricity is transmitted to nearby homes, businesses, hospitals, government buildings, and much more. In doing this, these workers are exposed to a wide variety of risks. Power linemen injured on the job should understand their rights so they get the full benefits and compensation they need and deserve. 

Steps to Take Immediately After a Power Lineman Accident

The seconds, minutes, and hours following any workplace accident can be intense. Despite the confusion and chaos you may be experiencing, there are some important steps you should take if you’ve been involved in a power lineman accident:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Your safety and health are always your first priority. Have a supervisor or co-worker call 911 or get transportation to the closest emergency room. Even though employers have the right to choose your healthcare provider under some workers’ compensation laws, this doesn’t apply to emergency situations. 

Getting prompt and proper medical treatment can make the difference between long-term impairment and a full recovery. Getting checked out immediately is also essential to document your injuries for a claim. 

2. Report the Accident to Your Employer

The next step you should take is to report the accident to your employer. This can be done by speaking with someone in authority, such as a foreperson or supervisor, or putting the report in writing. At this point, your employer should also notify its insurance company of the accident. If they don’t, you can file the claim with the insurance company directly or speak with an attorney who can handle this on your behalf. 

3. Collect Important Evidence

When serious accidents happen on the job, there is usually a cause. While negligence isn’t a factor in workers’ compensation cases, it would be in a third-party case. It may also be useful to know if your employer failed to adhere to OSHA regulations for power linemen. 

To uncover negligence, you will need to collect evidence from the accident scene. This will include things like photos, witness statements, and even physical evidence of faulty equipment. 

4. Speak With an Attorney

When you’ve been hurt on the job as a power lineman, you may be entitled to medical benefits, wage replacement, and other valuable compensation. Unfortunately, injured workers often face roadblocks, even when they are dealing with serious and debilitating injuries. Contacting an attorney can provide the peace of mind and assistance you need to collect the full compensation you are owed. An experienced attorney can also advise you of your rights if more than one party could be held responsible for your accident. 

Types of Claims After a Power Lineman Accident

Power linemen and utility workers have the right to file for compensation after a workplace injury. Here are two ways accident victims or their families may be able to file a claim:

Workers’ Compensation

Most workers who are injured in the course of their employment are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. This is a state-mandated program that offers a variety of benefits, such as payment for medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and the replacement of a portion of your lost wages. 

If you suffered permanent impairment, you may be able to secure other benefits. If a power lineman is killed on the job, there are also benefits and compensation available for the victim’s dependents. 

Third-Party Cases

In many cases, a third party is entirely or partially responsible for a power lineman’s accident and injuries. If this is your situation, you would be able to file a third-party lawsuit to pursue additional damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. 

Some of the third parties that could be held responsible include an equipment manufacturer, a landowner, or another business or individual who is not an employee. Securing a fair settlement or judgment in a third-party case can be challenging because you have to prove negligence. In other words, you must show that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached their duty and that failure resulted in your accident and injuries. 

Working around electricity is incredibly dangerous. As a power lineman, it’s important to understand your rights and protections. OSHA guidelines require that employers provide a safe workplace with appropriate training and safety equipment to protect against things like falls and electrical hazards. If you have suffered an injury as a workplace injury, it is important to speak with a reputable lineman injury attorney in order to fully understand your legal rights and options.