Los Angeles Electrocution Accident Lawyers
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) operates electrical infrastructure throughout the City of Los Angeles. Southern California Edison (SCE) serves many surrounding communities in Los Angeles County. Other cities, including Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank, operate their own electric utilities. Across Los Angeles County, electrocution accidents may occur near downed power lines, at construction sites, in industrial facilities, or inside buildings with unsafe wiring.
After an electrocution incident, determining who owned, maintained, or controlled the equipment can help establish whether negligence contributed to the death. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include utility companies, property owners, electrical contractors, or equipment manufacturers.
Arash Law’s Los Angeles electrocution accident lawyers represent families who have lost loved ones due to another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances of the death, review LADWP maintenance records and Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) inspection logs where relevant, and help eligible surviving family members pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
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Reviewed by: Arash Khorsandi, Esq., California State Bar #249405, admitted 2007, last reviewed October 2026
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Who Can File an Electrocution Wrongful Death Claim in Los Angeles?
California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 377.60 allows eligible surviving family members and dependents to file a wrongful death claim when negligence or other wrongful conduct causes an electrocution. This law applies to electrocution deaths throughout Los Angeles County, regardless of where the accident occurred, provided the legal requirements for a wrongful death claim are met.
Eligible claimants may include:
- Surviving spouses and qualifying registered domestic partners.
- Surviving children and grandchildren whose parent, a child of the deceased, died before the deceased.
- Relatives entitled to inherit under California intestate succession laws when the deceased left no surviving descendants, such as parents or other eligible heirs.
- Qualifying financial dependents, such as parents, stepchildren, putative spouses, and children of putative spouses.
- Minors who lived with the deceased for at least 180 days before the death and received at least half their support from the deceased.
- Qualifying legal guardians under the conditions specified in § 377.60.
A personal representative may file a wrongful death action on behalf of eligible claimants. A separate survival action may also be available under CCP § 377.30.
Families of workers who died from electrocution may also qualify for workers’ compensation death benefits, depending on the circumstances.
Why Electrocution Accident Cases in Los Angeles Require Local Knowledge
Electrocution accidents in Los Angeles County may involve different municipal and private power providers, construction environments, industrial facilities, public infrastructure, and property safety requirements. Identifying where and how the electrocution incident occurred, as well as who controlled the electrical hazard that caused the death, is essential when determining whether surviving family members have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
Several local factors may affect these cases:
Metro’s D Line Extension opened Section 1 on May 8, 2026, adding three stations along Wilshire Boulevard. Construction continues toward Beverly Hills. Electrocution claims involving construction or maintenance may require contractor records, equipment inspections, and Cal/OSHA findings.
Older buildings, apartment complexes, and commercial properties across communities such as Pasadena, Long Beach, and the San Fernando Valley may contain electrical hazards. Permit histories, inspection reports, and maintenance records from the appropriate city or county agency may help establish liability.
Wrongful death lawsuits filed in Los Angeles County must follow the court’s applicable jurisdiction, venue, and case-assignment rules. The appropriate filing location depends on the circumstances.
How Can an Electric Shock Lead to Electrocution?
An electric shock happens when an electric current passes through a person’s body. These accidents can occur at construction sites, workplaces, homes, public spaces, and other locations where people come into contact with electrical hazards.
Common causes of electric shocks include:
- Contact with exposed or downed power lines.
- Damaged wiring, outlets, or electrical panels.
- Faulty appliances, power tools, or industrial equipment.
- Electrical equipment used in wet conditions.
- Improperly installed or maintained electrical systems.
- Electrical work performed without shutting off the power.
Electric shocks can cause injuries ranging from minor burns to serious internal damage. The severity depends on the amount of current, the path it takes through the body, and the duration of exposure.
Common electric shock injuries include:
- Electrical Burns: Damage to the skin, muscles, nerves, and tissues beneath the surface.
- Nerve Damage: Numbness, weakness, or loss of movement caused by damaged nerves.
- Heart Problems: Irregular heartbeats or other problems affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood.
- Muscle Injuries: Painful muscle contractions and damage to muscle tissue.
- Head and Spinal Injuries: Injuries caused by falls or other accidents triggered by an electric shock.
Severe electric shocks can lead to electrocution when they disrupt vital body functions or cause life-threatening injuries. A person may die immediately or later from complications despite receiving medical treatment.
An electric shock may cause death in the following ways:
- Cardiac Arrest: The heart stops pumping blood effectively, preventing oxygen from reaching vital organs.
- Respiratory Arrest: An electric current disrupts the muscles or nerves that control breathing.
- Severe Brain Damage: A prolonged lack of oxygen causes extensive brain damage that may lead to death.
- Organ Failure: Complications from extensive burns and internal tissue damage can lead to organ failure.
- Fatal Trauma: A fall or other accident caused by an electric shock can result in deadly head, spinal, or internal injuries.
Medical records, emergency response reports, autopsy findings, and death certificates can help your family understand how an electric shock caused your loved one’s death. In Los Angeles, Cal/OSHA investigation reports, utility maintenance records, and electrical inspection findings may provide additional evidence. These documents can help establish the cause of death and whether another party’s negligence contributed to the accident.
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Types of Compensation Families Can Pursue After a Los Angeles Electrocution Accident
Families who lose a loved one in an electrocution accident may qualify for workers’ compensation death benefits, wrongful death damages, or compensation through a separate survival action. The available options depend on whether the death occurred at work, who was responsible, and the family’s eligibility under California law.
Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits
Eligible dependents may receive workers’ compensation death benefits if their loved one died from a work-related electrocution in Los Angeles. These benefits generally do not require proof of employer negligence.
Depending on the circumstances, benefits may include:
- Death Benefit Payments: The amount depends on the number and type of dependents. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2006, standard benefits are $250,000 for one total dependent, $290,000 for two, and $320,000 for three or more. Payments may vary when partial dependents are involved.
- Burial Expenses: Workers’ compensation may provide up to $10,000 for reasonable burial expenses for qualifying injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2013.
- Additional Benefits for Dependent Children: Qualifying totally dependent minor children may receive continued benefits until the youngest child of the decedent turns 18. Different rules apply to certain disabled dependent children.
Workers’ compensation benefits are separate from damages recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit. Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys can help your family understand eligibility requirements, pursue available death benefits, and determine whether you also have grounds for a claim against a negligent third party.
Third-Party Wrongful Death Claims
Your family may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit if a negligent third party, such as a contractor, property owner, utility provider, or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the electrocution. Under CCP § 377.61, eligible surviving family members may be able to pursue relevant damages such as the following:
- Reasonable funeral and burial or cremation expenses.
- Financial support your loved one would likely have provided.
- The value of childcare, household work, and other services your loved one would have performed.
- Gifts and financial benefits you could reasonably have expected to receive.
- Loss of companionship, affection, comfort, and care.
- Loss of protection, assistance, and moral support.
- Loss of advice, training, and guidance.
- Loss of marital affection and enjoyment of sexual relations, where applicable.
California’s wrongful death law generally does not allow compensation for surviving family members’ grief, sorrow, or mental anguish. Workers’ compensation reimbursement or credit rules may also affect a third-party recovery.
Survival Actions
A separate survival action may allow the deceased’s personal representative or qualifying successor to recover certain losses incurred by the deceased before death. Under CCP §§ 377.30 and 377.34, these may include medical expenses, lost earnings before death, and other qualifying damages.
For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the deceased person’s pain, suffering, or disfigurement are generally unavailable because the temporary exception in CCP § 377.34(b) expired. Cases filed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025, may still include them.
The compensation available to your family depends on the circumstances of the electrocution, the evidence, applicable benefit rules, and the legal claims available.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Survived an Electric Shock in Los Angeles?
People who survive electric shocks in Los Angeles may pursue personal injury compensation if another party’s negligence or a defective product caused their injuries. Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages from time away from work during recovery.
- Reduced earning capacity if lasting injuries affect the ability to work or earn income.
- Physical pain and suffering caused by burns, nerve damage, or other electrical injuries.
- Emotional distress resulting from the accident and its effects.
- Future medical expenses for necessary treatment and long-term care.
Workers injured by electric shocks may also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. A separate personal injury claim against a negligent third party may be available, depending on the circumstances.
How Insurance Applies to Electrocution Wrongful Death Claims in Los Angeles
Insurance may help compensate your family if another party is legally responsible for your loved one’s electrocution. The available policies and coverage depend on the responsible parties, how the accident occurred, and the policy terms.
The following may apply:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance: A contractor’s or business’s policy may provide bodily injury liability coverage for a wrongful death caused by negligent electrical work or unsafe conditions. Depending on the policy, premises, operations, products, or completed-operations coverage may apply.
- Homeowners or Landlord Liability Insurance: These policies may cover a property owner’s legal responsibility when unsafe electrical conditions contribute to a death, subject to policy terms and exclusions.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If your loved one died from a work-related electrocution, eligible dependents may receive workers’ compensation death benefits. These are statutory benefits rather than damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Commercial Auto Liability Insurance: This coverage may apply if a commercial vehicle damages power lines, utility poles, or other electrical infrastructure, causing a fatal electrocution. Coverage depends on the circumstances and policy terms.
- Umbrella and Excess Liability Insurance: These policies may provide additional coverage when a contractor’s, business’s, or property owner’s primary liability limits are insufficient to cover a wrongful death claim.
If a claim involves LADWP or another public entity, that entity may use insurance, self-insurance, or other arrangements to pay wrongful death claims. If another party, such as a contractor, also contributed to the electrocution, that party’s liability insurance may provide another source of compensation.
What Happens During an Electrocution Wrongful Death Claim in Los Angeles?
An electrocution wrongful death claim generally begins with an investigation into the cause of death and an assessment of who may be legally responsible. Your family’s claim may then go through the following steps:
- Case Evaluation: An attorney reviews the circumstances of your loved one’s death and determines which family members may qualify to file.
- Evidence Collection: The legal team gathers available medical records, witness statements, and electrical inspection reports. In Los Angeles, relevant evidence may include Cal/OSHA findings, LADWP documentation, or LADBS permit records.
- Liability and Insurance Review: The attorney identifies potentially responsible parties and examines available insurance coverage.
- Claim Filing and Negotiation: Your attorney pursues the appropriate claims and discusses potential settlements with responsible parties or their insurers.
- Lawsuit: If the claim cannot be resolved through settlement, Los Angeles accident lawyers may file a lawsuit in the appropriate court, subject to applicable filing requirements and deadlines.
Establishing Liability in Los Angeles Electrocution Wrongful Death Cases
Your family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim if another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused your loved one’s electrocution. Individuals and businesses generally must exercise reasonable care to avoid harming others (California Civil Code § 1714).
To establish negligence, your family generally must show that:
- The responsible party owed your loved one a legal duty of care.
- The party failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent electrical hazards.
- That failure was a substantial factor in causing your loved one’s death.
- The death resulted in legally recognized damages.
Evidence from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner (LACDME) may help establish the cause of death. Depending on where the accident occurred, maintenance records, electrical inspection reports, and witness statements may also help determine whether negligence contributed to the electrocution.
Electrocution claims may also involve defective electrical equipment. To have a valid product liability claim, your family generally does not need to prove ordinary negligence. Instead, you must show that a qualifying defect caused your loved one’s death.
Electrical accident reconstruction and equipment examinations conducted by qualified electrical experts can help determine how the hazard developed and caused your loved one’s death, as well as who may be legally responsible. Maintenance histories, worksite safety procedures, and applicable electrical safety standards may also show whether a responsible party failed to take reasonable precautions.
Potential Liable Parties in Los Angeles Electrocution Accidents
Several parties may be responsible for an electrocution, depending on who owned, operated, maintained, or controlled the electrical equipment or hazardous conditions.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Utility Providers: Electricity providers may be liable if negligent maintenance, inspections, or operations contributed to the electrocution.
- Property Owners and Landlords: Owners may be responsible if they failed to address dangerous electrical conditions when they had a legal duty to do so.
- General Contractors and Subcontractors: Construction companies may be liable for negligent electrical work or unsafe practices under California’s contractor liability rules.
- Equipment Manufacturers and Sellers: Companies that manufacture or sell defective electrical equipment may face product liability claims if a defect caused the death.
- Public Agencies: A city government, the County of Los Angeles, or another public entity may be responsible under applicable law if its conduct or infrastructure contributed to the death. For example, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting, which maintains the city’s street lighting system, may share liability if a streetlight’s electrical components contributed to an electrocution incident.
Can a Family Sue an Employer After a Workplace Electrocution in Los Angeles?
Your family generally cannot sue your loved one’s employer for ordinary workplace negligence when workers’ compensation covers the death. Under California Labor Code § 3602, workers’ compensation is usually the exclusive remedy against the employer. Statutory exceptions may apply in limited situations.
However, your family may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent third party under Labor Code § 3852. Potentially responsible parties include outside contractors, property owners, utility providers, and equipment manufacturers.
For example, if an electrician dies from electrocution at a Los Angeles industrial facility, your family may have grounds to sue a separate contractor whose negligent electrical work caused the death. Liability depends on the circumstances, including California’s rules governing independent contractors.
How Comparative Fault Affects Electrocution Wrongful Death Claims in Los Angeles
Your family may still recover compensation even if your loved one was partly responsible for the electrocution. California follows a pure comparative fault rule under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804. This rule generally reduces wrongful death damages by the deceased person’s percentage of fault rather than preventing recovery.
For example, suppose a maintenance worker dies after contacting exposed wiring left by an outside electrical contractor, not the worker’s employer, while repairing a streetlight along Sunset Boulevard near Highland Avenue. If a jury finds that the outside contractor was 80% responsible and the worker was 20% responsible, a $1 million damages award would generally be reduced to $800,000.
Time Limits for Taking Legal Action After an Electrocution in Los Angeles
California law sets different deadlines for wrongful death lawsuits, workers’ compensation claims, and government claims after an electrocution. Missing a deadline may prevent your family from recovering compensation, although exceptions may apply.
The following deadlines may affect your case:
- Two Years for Wrongful Death Lawsuits — CCP § 335.1: Your family generally has two years from your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit against a private party, such as a contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or SCE.
- One Year for Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits — Labor Code § 5406: Eligible dependents generally have one year from the death to begin proceedings for workers’ compensation death benefits. These proceedings generally must also begin within 240 weeks of the original work injury, subject to statutory exceptions.
- Two Years for Personal Injury Lawsuits — CCP § 335.1: If you survive an electric shock, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private party, subject to applicable exceptions.
- One Year for Workers’ Compensation Injury Claims — Labor Code § 5405: If you survive a work-related electric shock, you generally have one year to initiate workers’ compensation proceedings. The deadline may run from the injury, the last payment of disability benefits, or the last furnishing of qualifying medical benefits, subject to applicable exceptions.
- Three Years for Property Damage Lawsuits — CCP § 338(c)(1): A separate lawsuit against a private party for damaged personal property, such as tools or equipment, generally must be filed within three years.
- Six Months for Government Claims — Government Code § 911.2: Your family generally must present a written government claim within six months of the death if a public entity may be responsible. Similarly, if you survive an electric shock, you generally have six months from the date of accrual to present a claim for personal injury or property damage. Depending on the circumstances, the relevant agencies and the records they hold may include:
- The City of Los Angeles and LADWP: Electrical maintenance records, outage reports, repair histories, and prior complaints may help identify responsibility. Claims against the City of Los Angeles are generally submitted to the City Clerk at 200 North Spring Street, Room 395, Los Angeles, CA 90012. LADWP maintains a separate claims process. Families should confirm the correct filing requirements for each potentially responsible public entity.
- Caltrans: District 7 may hold highway maintenance records, construction plans, and utility encroachment permits. Claims against Caltrans for $12,500 or less go to the Caltrans District 7 claims office, which covers Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Larger claims, and claims against other state agencies, go to the Department of General Services’ Government Claims Program.
- The County of Los Angeles: County Public Works may hold maintenance reports, inspection records, permits, and prior complaints. Claims must be presented to the appropriate county office.
Claims involving other cities or municipal utilities, such as Pasadena Water and Power, Glendale Water & Power, or Burbank Water and Power, may have different presentation procedures. The correct public entity and filing requirements depend on who was legally responsible.
Under Gov. Code § 912.4, a public entity generally has 45 days to act on a properly presented claim unless the response period is lawfully extended. If it does not act within that period, the claim is generally deemed rejected.
Government Code § 945.6 establishes separate deadlines for filing a lawsuit after presenting a government claim:
- Six Months After Written Rejection: Your family generally has six months to file a lawsuit after the public entity personally delivers or mails a legally sufficient written rejection notice.
- Two Years Without Written Notice: Your family generally has two years from the date the legal claim arose to file a lawsuit if the entity fails to provide the required written notice of rejection.
These deadlines have exceptions. Gov. Code §§ 911.4 and 911.6 may also allow a late-claim application in certain circumstances. However, approval is not automatic.
Preserving evidence early can strengthen your family’s case. Electrical equipment may be repaired, worksites may change, and witnesses may become harder to locate. Utility records, inspection reports, and Cal/OSHA findings can help establish what caused your loved one’s death and who may be responsible.
Representative Electric Shock and Wrongful Death Case Results
Arash Law has secured significant recoveries for clients and families affected by electric shocks, workplace accidents, and wrongful deaths. The following cases demonstrate our experience handling serious injuries and deaths involving potentially negligent parties.
Disclaimer: These results involve an electric shock injury and wrongful death claims, but none involved electrocution. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Every case depends on its specific facts, evidence, and applicable law.
Why Hire Arash Law for an Electrocution Wrongful Death Case in Los Angeles?
Arash Law helps families in Los Angeles pursue compensation when negligence or wrongful conduct causes their loved one’s death. Electrocution cases may involve complex electrical systems, multiple responsible parties, and evidence that requires technical investigation. Our attorneys can evaluate these issues and help eligible family members understand their legal options.
If we handle your case, our team can:
Discuss Your Family’s Legal Options After an Electrocution in Los Angeles
Your family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim if another party’s negligence caused your loved one’s electrocution.
Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. You can also reach our Los Angeles injury law firm at (213) 277-5878. Hablamos español.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrocution Wrongful Death Claims in Los Angeles
Can My Family Pursue Compensation if My Loved One Ignored an Electrical Warning Sign?
Can a Utility Company Be Responsible if It Was Unaware of a Dangerous Power Line?
A utility company may be liable if it failed to conduct reasonable inspections or maintain its electrical equipment, even without prior knowledge of the specific hazard. The applicable legal standard depends on the utility’s responsibilities and whether it is a public or private entity.
Will My Family Have to Pay Legal Fees Before Filing an Electrocution Wrongful Death Claim?
No, if you work with a lawyer who handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, you generally do not have to pay them up front. You would only pay the attorney’s fees if they recover compensation on your behalf. Responsibility for case costs depends on the written fee agreement.
Can My Family Sue if the Electrocution Happened During Unauthorized Electrical Work?
Potentially, yes. Your family may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit if a contractor, property owner, or another party’s negligence contributed to the death, even if your loved one performed electrical work without proper authorization. The circumstances may affect liability, comparative fault, and the compensation available.
Understand Your Family’s Options After a Los Angeles Electrocution Accident
Losing a loved one in an electrocution accident can leave your family facing unexpected expenses, lost financial support, and difficult questions about what happened. If someone else’s negligence contributed to the death, your family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim under California law.
If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles County who can outline your rights and options, consider consulting Arash Law. Our Los Angeles electrocution accident lawyers can review the circumstances of your loved one’s death, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain the compensation your family may be entitled to seek. Our team can also help gather evidence, handle communications with insurers, and address applicable filing deadlines.
Call (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation, or contact our Los Angeles team at (213) 277-5878. We are available 24/7, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Hablamos español.
