If you were hurt at work by an electric shock, a burn or an arc flash, and your employer didn't keep the work safe, you can usually claim compensation. There are no upfront fees.
It's a claim for compensation when you're hurt at work by electricity: an electric shock, a burn, an arc flash, or a fall caused by a shock. If your employer didn't keep the work safe, you can usually claim.
The Electricity at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 require electrical systems to be built and maintained to prevent danger, so far as is reasonably practicable. Work should normally be done on equipment that has been made dead and securely isolated.
Working live is allowed only in narrow circumstances, with suitable precautions. Anyone doing electrical work must have the knowledge and experience to do it safely, or be properly supervised.
Yes. In Northern Ireland, a breach of health and safety regulations can still support a claim for compensation, under Article 43 of the 1978 Order. In England and Wales that right was removed in 2013.
HSENI says normal 230-volt mains is the most common voltage in electrical accidents, and that many involve skilled workers on equipment they wrongly believed was dead.
Usually three years from the accident, under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
It's sensible to get medical advice after an electric shock, even if you feel fine at first.
You pay nothing to start your claim and nothing while it runs.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims, from first advice through to court if it comes to that.
If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
Our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed.
We'll look at what happened and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. There's no pressure to go ahead.
Workplace claims are run by Paul Kearney, a solicitor advocate and former barrister, with trainee solicitor John Deeney.
We help clients across Northern Ireland, in person or by phone, email or video.
Yes, if it happened because your employer didn't keep the work or equipment safe, for example through poor isolation, faulty equipment or a lack of training.
You can still claim if your employer also failed in its duties, such as weak isolation procedures, no lock-off equipment or no supervision. Your compensation may be reduced if you were partly to blame.
It depends who was in control of the work. The duties apply to employers and self-employed people for matters within their control, so a main contractor or site owner may be responsible.
Often, yes. An electrical injury that leads to unconsciousness, resuscitation or more than 24 hours in hospital must be reported to HSENI, as must contact with an overhead power line. HSENI explains the rules.
Employers in Northern Ireland must hold employer's liability insurance, so the claim is paid by their insurer, not by your employer personally.
Usually three years from the date of the accident. For a child, the three years usually start on their 18th birthday.
There are no upfront fees. If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs. If it doesn't, our legal insurance covers the costs.
If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
No win, no fee agreements aren't permitted in Northern Ireland. Instead there are no upfront fees, our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed, and if it succeeds you keep 100% of your compensation.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims. There are no upfront fees, our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed, and if it succeeds you keep 100% of your compensation.
Kearney Law Group Ltd is a solicitors' practice regulated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Registered in Northern Ireland, company number NI663222. Registered office: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR.
Kearney Law Group specialises in legal services relating to Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence. We are committed to achieving the best results for our clients.
Contact us today to arrange your FREE initial consultation relating to any of the above matters.
Belfast: Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JH
02890 912 938
Derry: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR
02871 362 299
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
