Electrical injuries at work can be devastating. An electric shock or arc flash can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, neurological damage, and death — often in a fraction of a second. If you or a family member has been injured by electricity at work, your employer may have breached their duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
NJS Law’s specialist team handles electrical injury claims across England and Wales on a No Win, No Fee basis.
This page is part of our Accident at Work Claims service.
If we do not win your case, you pay nothing.
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Electrical injuries can cause life-changing harm. NJS Law will fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Discover today if you’re eligible to make a claim.
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An electrical injury at work claim is a legal claim for compensation made against your employer — or another responsible party — when you have been injured by electricity at work due to their negligence or failure to comply with health and safety law.
Electrical injuries in the workplace include:
The overarching duty on all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of all employees — including protection from falls when working at any height.
The primary legislation governing electrical safety at work. Requires all electrical systems to be constructed and maintained to prevent danger, all electrical work to be carried out in a way that prevents danger, and all persons who work on electrical systems to be competent to do so. Regulation 4 imposes a duty to ensure electrical systems are safe; Regulation 12 requires that live conductors be made dead before work begins unless it is unreasonable to do so.
PUWER 1998 requires machinery to be suitable for its intended use, properly maintained and inspected, fitted with effective guards and other safety measures, protected against specific hazards, and operated only by workers who have received adequate information, instruction, and training.
Falls from height are the single biggest cause of fatal construction accidents. The Work at Height Regulations require employers and principal contractors to plan and supervise all work at height, use collective protective equipment (guardrails, safety nets), and provide fall arrest equipment (harnesses) where collective measures are insufficient. Scaffold must be designed, erected, and inspected by a competent person
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the broader health and safety framework, your employer must:
Common employer failures that give rise to electrical injury claims include: live working without proper permits, failure to isolate before maintenance, defective PAT-tested equipment still in service, inadequate training, and failure to provide arc flash PPE in switchgear environments.
Electrical injuries frequently cause severe and permanent harm. Solicitors use the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (April 2026) to estimate the value of your injury.
Injury Type | Severity | Approximate Range |
Burns — minor (limited area, good recovery) | Minor | Up to £11,200 |
Burns — moderate (significant scarring, some psychological impact) | Moderate | £11,200 – £27,220 |
Burns — severe (significant body area, permanent scarring) | Severe | £55,700 – £136,430+ |
Burns — very severe (extensive, full thickness, life-altering) | Very Severe | £136,430+ |
Hand injury — loss of fingers | Serious | £17,580 – £98,670 |
Arm amputation (above elbow) | Severe | £109,650 – £130,930 |
Moderate brain injury (cognitive and physical effects) | Moderate | £90,720 – £150,110 |
Severe psychiatric injury / PTSD (permanent) | Severe | £59,860 – £100,670+ |
Cardiac injury (from electrocution — lasting effects) | Significant | £54,830 – £100,670+ |
In addition to general damages, you can recover: lost earnings (past and future), medical and rehabilitation costs, psychological treatment, home adaptations, care costs, and all other financial losses caused by the accident. See: General Damages vs Special Damages and Average Compensation Payouts.
NJS Law has recovered over £6 million for injured workers in 2024–25 alone.
Electrical injuries may appear minor externally but cause severe internal damage. Always attend A&E. Ensure the treating doctor records both the injury and the cause — “electric shock at work” — in your medical notes.
Report to your employer immediately and ensure the accident is recorded in the workplace accident book. Serious electrical injuries — including shocks causing unconsciousness, burns, or hospitalisation — must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR 2013.
Photograph the electrical system, equipment, or wiring involved. Do not allow the employer to repair, remove, or modify the equipment until it has been photographed and examined. Request any permit-to-work records, PAT test logs, and inspection certificates. Obtain witness details.
Note the names and contact details of all witnesses — workers, site managers, and any visitors present at the time. Request any CCTV or dashcam footage immediately. Note the exact time and location to assist your solicitor in identifying relevant footage.
Our specialist employer liability team will assess your claim, explain your options, and — if we take on your case — issue a Letter of Claim to your employer’s insurer.
We gather all documentation, commission an independent medical report, build your Schedule of Loss, and negotiate the maximum possible settlement with the defendant’s insurer. Around 95% of claims settle without a court hearing.
Under the Limitation Act 1980, there are strict time limits for bringing a personal injury claim. Act within these limits — missing the deadline is the most common reason valid claims cannot be pursued.
Claim Type | Time Limit | Notes |
Standard workplace accident | 3 years from date of accident | The most common scenario |
Industrial disease or occupational illness | 3 years from date of diagnosis (or “date of knowledge”) | Applies where symptoms developed gradually over time |
Child injured at work (or as a visitor) | 3 years from their 18th birthday | A parent or guardian can bring a claim at any time before the child turns 18 |
Person lacking mental capacity | Time limit suspended during period of incapacity | A litigation friend manages the claim |
Fatal workplace accident | 3 years from date of death | Dependants may claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 |
For a full explanation of all time limit exceptions and what to do if you are approaching your deadline, see our guide: Personal Injury Claim Time Limits in England and Wales.
For guidance on how long the claim process itself takes once you have started: How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
Case highlight
Our client arrived for work early one morning when his forklift truck struck a pothole hidden under murky water at the loading bay. The impact caused severe spinal injuries, leaving him unable to move. What followed was four years of rehabilitation, specialist hospitals, and legal complexity — with NJS Law by his side throughout.
“Nichola, my solicitor, took on two professional barristers who got my claim going. Without NJS Law, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. They helped me far beyond things I wouldn’t have known about.”
— NJS Law client, £3.7 million settlement
Settlement
£3,700,000
Injury type
Severe spinal injury
Cause
Hidden pothole — employer negligence
Duration
4-year case
Interim payments
Yes — housing, mobility, therapy
Outcome
Full independence restored
Our client suffered serious leg injuries when faulty workplace equipment malfunctioned without warning, causing a heavy load to fall directly onto both legs.
The injuries included broken bones, severe ligament damage, an extended hospital stay, ongoing pain, and long-term mobility issues.
NJS Law successfully showed that the accident was caused by defective or poorly maintained equipment, and that the employer had failed to keep the workplace equipment safe and fit for purpose.
Our client suffered a broken leg after tripping over a wooden pallet that had been left in a cluttered and poorly maintained workspace while they were operating an electric pump truck.
As they tried to manoeuvre safely around colleagues, they fell backwards over the pallet, which had been left leaning against a pipe.
The pump truck then moved forward and trapped their leg.
NJS Law proved that the accident was caused by unsafe workplace conditions, poor housekeeping, and a failure to remove obvious hazards.
Our client was sent overseas for a work project and was repeatedly required to lift and carry heavy items without suitable lifting equipment, assistance, or adequate manual handling training.
The client suffered a serious back injury, required a four-day hospital stay, experienced long-term pain and mobility difficulties, and needed time off work to recover.
Although the accident happened abroad,
NJS Law successfully established that the UK-based employer had breached its duty of care.
Our client suffered a serious arm injury while trying to clear a printer jam at work.
The printer had been positioned tightly against a wall, making it difficult to access safely.
When the client tried to move it into a safer position, they felt sudden pain and heard three sharp snaps in their arm.
The injury caused muscle and soft-tissue damage, required medical treatment and rehabilitation, led to time off work, and resulted in ongoing pain, weakness, and reduced mobility.
NJS Law proved that the employer had failed to provide a safe workplace setup, proper risk assessments, and safe procedures for dealing with equipment faults.
All accident at work claims at NJS Law are handled under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) — what most people call No Win, No Fee. Here is exactly what that means for you:
You can read a full plain-English explanation of how No Win, No Fee agreements work at No Win No Fee Claims Page.
Our dedicated solicitors specialise in slip and trip claims and have decades of combined experience securing fair compensation. We understand how stressful an accident can be and provide clear, supportive guidance throughout the process.
Contact us today for a free consultation and move forward with confidence under our No Win No Fee promise. Taking early legal advice can strengthen your claim and protect your rights.
680,000 workers were injured in the workplace in 2024–25. You may be entitled to compensation.
Being injured at work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of your rights or worried about your job. Our expert solicitors provide clear, honest advice and manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on recovery while we fight for justice.
Our specialist EL/PL team brings decades of expertise across workplace injury, employer liability, and serious injury claims.
Authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (no. 8006550).
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£3.7M forklift settlement · £135,000 Manchester worker · £33,000 overseas injury · £18,000 arm injury. Real outcomes for real clients.
Making an accident at work claim can feel overwhelming. Below we’ve answered the most common questions our clients ask. These cover eligibility, time limits, compensation, and what happens if your case goes to court.
Yes, if your employer failed to maintain safe electrical systems, allowed live working without proper permits, provided defective electrical equipment, or failed to ensure the person doing the electrical work was competent. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place clear duties on employers that, when breached, form the basis of a compensation claim. NJS Law handles electrical injury claims on a No Win, No Fee basis.
An arc flash is an electrical explosion that releases intense heat, light, and pressure — typically when a fault causes electrical energy to discharge through the air between conductors. Arc flash can cause full-thickness burns, blindness, and blast injuries at distances of several metres. If your employer failed to carry out an arc flash risk assessment, provide appropriate PPE, or implement safe isolation procedures, a claim can be made under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and related legislation.
A claim can be made against your employer for failing to maintain or inspect the equipment under PUWER 1998. If the equipment was defective when it left the manufacturer, an additional claim may be available against the manufacturer or supplier under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. NJS Law will identify all responsible parties and pursue each appropriately.
Yes. Under Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the duty to ensure electrical systems are safe extends to anyone who has control of an electrical system — not just the owner. If the client’s electrical system was unsafe and you were required to work on or near it, a claim can be made against the client. The extent of your own employer’s duty to assess the risk before sending you to work on the site is also relevant.
It depends on the severity of your injuries. Minor electrical burn claims can settle in 9 to 18 months. Serious injuries — severe burns requiring multiple surgeries, cardiac complications, neurological damage, or traumatic psychological injury — take longer to assess and settle, typically 18 months to 3 years. NJS Law will not push you to settle before the full extent of your injuries and losses is properly established.
Our solicitors have written a library of plain-English guides to help you understand your rights. Read the articles most relevant to your situation:
Injured at work? Learn the key steps to take straight away to protect your health, evidence, and legal rights.
Find out how workplace injury compensation is calculated and what factors can affect the value of your claim.
Learn how No Win No Fee accident at work claims work and how you can start a claim without upfront legal fees.
A simple guide to the personal injury claims process, from starting your claim to reaching a settlement.
Understand your rights if you are worried about your job after making a workplace injury claim.
Learn what RIDDOR is, which workplace accidents must be reported, and how it may support your claim.
Find out your rights after a construction site accident and how to claim compensation for your injuries.
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Understand when you may be able to claim compensation after a fall from height at work.
Find out what affects the length of a personal injury claim and what to expect during the process.
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Learn how personal injury payouts are assessed and why compensation varies from case to case.
Understand the key time limits for making a personal injury claim in England and Wales.
Find out how partial fault can affect your personal injury claim and compensation amount.
Learn the difference between compensation for pain and suffering and compensation for financial losses.
Find out when interim payments may be available before your personal injury claim fully settles.
For fast, friendly affordable legal advice. Contact a member of our team today.
