Pocatello Electrocution Attorney

Most people have been on the unpleasant end of being electrocuted. In may have been the result of an outlet, an overused cord, or perhaps even a battery. Fortunately, most of these electrical shocks are fairly benign. However, what should a person do when the electrocution is severe. This is a complicated area and requires an expertise that exceeds what most people possess. Here at the Pocatello office of Racine Olson, we have attorneys who have worked on electrocution cases and achieved favorable results for clients. Racine Olson has been in the community with you since the 1940s and has helped many people involved in many different types of accidents and injuries. We believe that we can help you achieve the results that you desire as well.

One of the questions that comes to mind when a person is electrocuted is: “Who’s at fault?” Is it the victim? Is it the electrical company? Did someone alter the electrical source making it more likely to shock someone?

The Fault of the Electrical Company
In Idaho, the law provides generally that a person, or company, must act as a reasonable person would under all the circumstances. However, the standard is somewhat elevated when it concerns electrical companies. In this situation, the Idaho Supreme Court has stated that when a company is engaged in the transmission or generation of electricity, that company or person owes the highest standard of care to others. This does not mean that the electrical company would be liable in every single circumstances, but it must caution against all reasonable possibilities. This standard is heavily in the injured person’s favor and places a heavy responsibility on electrical companies to make sure that they protect innocent people.

Comparative Negligence
Idaho has adopted a comparative negligence approach to fault in cases where people are injured. This means that just because the electrical company may be at fault, that does not mean that an injured person may not also be found to be negligent. At trial, a jury will determine who is responsible for the injury, and it will do so using a percentage. If the electrical company is found to be totally at fault, then the jury will write that it is “100%” negligent. If the jury finds that the electrical company is 90% at fault and the injured person is 10% at fault for causing his or her own injuries, then the jury will write 90% negligent for the electrical company and 10% negligent for the injured person. This is important because the verdict is then reduced by the amount that the plaintiff is negligent. In other words, if the jury found that the plaintiff was damaged in the amount of $100,000 but was 10% at fault, then the verdict would be reduced by $10,000 and the injured party would only collect $90,000. If both the electrical company and the injured person are both equally at fault, then the injured person collects nothing. In other words, it is very important to show the jury that the innocent plaintiff was acting as a reasonable person would under the circumstances and was not at fault.

When a person is the victim of a severe electrocution, the injuries are often catastrophic. The victim may lose the use of their legs, sustain terrible internal injuries, or death. This often means large medical bills, lost wages, a loss of future earning capacity, and, of course, pain and suffering.

These cases are difficult and serious. Racine Olson in Pocatello has handled these cases before and would be pleased to represent you to reach a proper and fair result. We’ll be there with you. We’ll address the problem, talk with you, and help you feel like a neighbor. Give us a call. Problem Solved.