Electrical Injury Workers' Compensation in San Francisco, California
Quick Answer
Electrical Injury claims are common in San Francisco's Construction sectors, with settlements typically ranging from $60,000–$250,000+. The average workers' compensation settlement in San Francisco is $72,300. Your case will be heard at the WCAB office at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102. An experienced attorney who knows the San Francisco board can help you maximize your recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Electrical Injury settlement values in California range from $60,000–$250,000+
- San Francisco area settlements average $72,300 across all injury types
- Key San Francisco industries with electrical injury risk: Construction
- Your WCAB office: 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Report injuries to your employer within 30 days and file a DWC-1 claim form
- Free consultation available — represented workers recover 3-5x more on average
- Report the electrical injury immediately even if you feel fine - cardiac and neurological symptoms can be delayed
Electrical Injury Settlement Range
$60,000–$250,000+
San Francisco avg. across all injuries: $72,300
How Electrical Injurys Happen in San Francisco
Contact with live wires during renovation, overhead power line strikes, and faulty temporary wiring cause electrical injuries on construction sites.
San Francisco's economy relies heavily on Construction, making electrical injury claims a significant portion of local workers' compensation cases. If you've been injured on the job, understanding how your specific industry and role affect your claim value is critical to getting fair compensation.
San Francisco WCAB Office
Street parking is extremely difficult. We strongly advise using the Civic Center BART/Muni station. The nearest paid lot is the UC Law SF garage on McAllister.
Electrical Injury Symptoms to Document
Entry and exit burn wounds
Small, deep thermal burns at points where electricity entered and exited the body - these often appear deceptively minor compared to internal damage
Cardiac arrhythmias and palpitations
Irregular heartbeat, rapid heart rate, chest pain, or feeling of skipped beats - can occur immediately or develop over weeks/months
Muscle pain and weakness
Deep muscle damage along the current pathway, causing pain, weakness, and possible muscle death (rhabdomyolysis)
Nerve damage and neuropathy
Numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or loss of function in extremities from peripheral nerve injury
Cognitive and memory problems
Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, confusion, or personality changes from electrical effects on the brain
Chronic pain syndromes
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and other chronic pain conditions developing after electrical injury
Vision and hearing problems
Cataracts (developing months/years later), retinal damage, tinnitus, or hearing loss from electrical trauma
Psychological trauma
PTSD, anxiety, fear of returning to electrical work, hypervigilance around electrical equipment
Treatment Options Covered by Workers' Comp
Emergency cardiac monitoring and stabilization
Immediate ECG monitoring, cardiac enzyme testing, and rhythm monitoring for 24-48 hours minimum
Typical timeline: 1-3 days hospitalization for monitoring, longer if arrhythmias detected
Surgical debridement and wound care
Removal of dead muscle and tissue damaged by electrical current, often requiring multiple procedures
Typical timeline: Multiple surgeries over first 2-8 weeks
Fasciotomy
Surgical release of muscle compartments to prevent compartment syndrome from tissue swelling
Typical timeline: Emergency procedure within hours of injury if compartment syndrome develops
Amputation
Removal of limb when electrical burns cause non-viable tissue and infection risk
Typical timeline: Performed when tissue death is extensive, typically within first 1-2 weeks
Factors That Affect Your Electrical Injury Settlement in San Francisco
Voltage and current level
High-voltage injuries (>1000V) typically cause more extensive internal damage and higher settlements
120V household shock may settle for $30,000-$100,000, while 13,000V utility line contact can exceed $500,000
Current pathway through body
Hand-to-hand or hand-to-foot paths crossing the heart are most dangerous and result in higher settlements
Electrical path crossing the chest has higher risk of cardiac damage than current confined to one limb
Cardiac effects and monitoring needs
Heart rhythm problems, whether immediate or delayed, substantially increase settlement value and future medical needs
Workers requiring pacemakers or ongoing cardiology monitoring receive significantly higher settlements
Extent of tissue destruction and amputation
Loss of limbs or extensive muscle damage requiring reconstruction dramatically increases settlement
Electrical injuries requiring finger or limb amputation typically settle for $200,000-$500,000+
Filing Your Electrical Injury Claim in San Francisco
- Report the electrical injury immediately even if you feel fine - cardiac and neurological symptoms can be delayed
- Demand immediate medical evaluation including ECG and cardiac monitoring - do not let employer minimize the injury
- Document the voltage level, equipment involved, and whether safety procedures were followed
- Preserve evidence of the accident scene, particularly OSHA violations like missing lockout/tagout procedures
- Request copies of equipment maintenance records, safety training documentation, and incident investigation reports
- Keep detailed records of all symptoms, even minor ones - nerve damage and cardiac problems may worsen over time
- Follow all recommended cardiac monitoring and neurological evaluations - gaps in treatment hurt your claim
- Report any delayed symptoms immediately (new numbness, heart palpitations, vision changes)
- Request evaluation by specialists: cardiologist, neurologist, and pain management if needed
- Do not settle until at least 12-24 months post-injury - many electrical injury effects are delayed
- The San Francisco WCAB office is at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102 — arrive early as parking can be limited.
Electrical Injury Claims in Nearby Cities
Other Workplace Injuries in San Francisco
Electrical Injury in San Francisco FAQ
What is the average electrical injury workers' comp settlement in San Francisco?
Electrical Injury settlements in California typically range from $60,000–$250,000+. The overall average settlement in San Francisco is $72,300. Your actual settlement depends on factors including your wages, the severity of your disability rating, your age, occupation, and the quality of your medical evidence.
Where do I file a electrical injury workers' comp claim in San Francisco?
San Francisco workers' compensation claims are handled at the WCAB office at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102. Phone: (415) 703-5011. First, report your injury to your employer within 30 days, then complete the DWC-1 form they are required to give you within one business day of your report.
How long does a electrical injury workers' comp case take in San Francisco?
Most electrical injury cases take 12-24 months to resolve, though complex cases can take longer. The San Francisco WCAB caseload affects scheduling. Having an experienced attorney who regularly appears at the San Francisco board can help move your case forward efficiently.
Which San Francisco industries have the highest electrical injury risk?
In San Francisco, electrical injury claims are most common in the Construction industry. High cost of living adjustments are critical for SF cases.
Injured at Work in San Francisco?
Our attorneys handle electrical injury claims at the San Francisco WCAB regularly. We understand local procedures, know the judges, and fight for maximum compensation. Free consultation — no fees unless we win.
Settlement values are estimates based on historical California workers' compensation data and are not guarantees. Every case is unique. Consult with an attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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