VIC Zapped While at Shopping Centre - What to Do?

[Faye]

I'm in need of a little help on this topic before I move forward with anything.

The scenario took place on Friday night 23rd December at my local shopping centre in Melbourne. I was walking back to my car after having brought some gifts, and out of nowhere, my body is thrown into spasms and a strange sharp pain comes from my leg and I nearly fall into oncoming traffic. I feel like I may have briefly passed out but I'm not actually sure, it was more like flashing in and out on consciousness at a rapid pace.

I feel like it took me maybe half a minute until I was properly aware of what had just happened. I looked down and noticed a broken pipe sticking out of the ground, with wires exposed. I realized I'd just been electrocuted.

There was no signage to say there were any works in this ares, nor was it blocked off in anyway. I was lucky that I had rubber thongs on due to the hot weather, otherwise this outcome could have been a lot worse! I've got a small burn and swollen muscles in that leg at the moment, but am fine otherwise.

I'm not sure as to what I should do in this scenario, any help is most welcome!

Thank you to anyone who can help, and Merry Christmas!

 

[Lance]

Hi,

If it were me, I would take photos, report it to make sure no one else is exposed and head over to a hospital for an assessment.

In a past career, I was corporate OHS Manager so I'm all about making sure the area is made safe, while you received an electric shock the next person might not be so lucky, best let someone know. The hospital assessment is key because a electric shock can affect heart rhythm and various other things you may not be aware of. It will also give you a report should you need to seek legal action if something happens now or in the future as a result of your electric shock.

I hope you are feeling better now.

 

[Faye]

Hi,

If it were me, I would take photos, report it to make sure no one else is exposed and head over to a hospital for an assessment.

In a past career, I was corporate OHS Manager so I'm all about making sure the area is made safe, while you received an electric shock the next person might not be so lucky, best let someone know. The hospital assessment is key because a electric shock can affect heart rhythm and various other things you may not be aware of. It will also give you a report should you need to seek legal action if something happens now or in the future as a result of your electric shock.

I hope you are feeling better now.

Will do. And I do feel fine, but you are right. There could be things I'm not even aware of. Thank you.

 

[Emge]

On face value, this is a valid claim and you should pursue the matter. Did you not think to call an ambulance after something like that? Did you let the centre know?

In the absence of any long-term injury this is would be more of a negligence claim, rather than personal injury perse. Personal injury claims generally compensate for loss of earnings etc. which (hopefully) is not something you will suffer because of the incident. Without doubt have exposed wires in a shopping centre is likely to be considered negligent.

Monitor yourself for any "whiplash" type injuries that generally happen up to a week after the incident - these are the type of injuries that are considered "personal injury claims" (usually).

I would imagine being electrocuted would have your muscles in a right state after contracting so tightly, see how you feel in a week.

 

[Lance]

Just for terminology purposes, 'electrocute or electrocution' whilst often misused in place 'received an electric shock' is actually a word made up of electric or electricity and execute or execution. So it mean to be executed by electricity.

Unless someone dies, you should use 'received an electric shock' resulting in...muscle contraction /sharp pain / chest pains, what ever else. I would hate for a claim to be dismissed on incorrect terminology.

 

[Emge]

Just for terminology purposes, 'electrocute or electrocution' whilst often misused in place 'received an electric shock' is actually a word made up of electric or electricity and execute or execution. So it mean to be executed by electricity.

Unless someone dies, you should use 'received an electric shock' resulting in...muscle contraction /sharp pain / chest pains, what ever else. I would hate for a claim to be dismissed on incorrect terminology.

Well, 12 years of primary and secondary education, 3 years undergraduate commerce and 3 years graduate law and not once did anyone think to teach me this distinction... Thanks Lance, where were you in Year 5!

I checked about 6 dictionaries and you are right Nice pick up.

 

[Lance]

Well, 12 years of primary and secondary education, 3 years undergraduate commerce and 3 years graduate law and not once did anyone think to teach me this distinction... thanks Lance, where were you in Year 5! I checked about 6 dictionaries and you are right Nice pick up.

Hi Emge, Post Grad OH&S helped, that and I was a National OH&S Manager in a previous role.