Electric Shock Injury Lawyer Michigan: When Products or Places Turn Deadly

Electric shock injuries are among the most traumatic and life-altering events a person can endure. These injuries often result in severe burns, neurological damage, internal injuries, cardiac complications, or even death. But the true cost isn’t limited to the hospital bills. Victims can lose their ability to work, care for themselves, or live independently. Families are often forced to become caregivers overnight, navigating grief, stress, and mounting financial pressure.

In Michigan, many electric shock injuries are not accidents—they are legal failures. Behind the scenes, someone often cut corners. A property owner ignored clear safety hazards. A manufacturer released a dangerous product. An employer failed to follow basic electrical safety protocols. These are not honest mistakes—they are violations of the law. And under Michigan civil law, those responsible can be held accountable.

If you’ve suffered an electric shock injury, or if someone you love has, the law is on your side—but only if you act quickly. Michigan has strict time limits for injury claims, and key evidence can disappear in days. Property owners clean up. Products get thrown out. Records go missing. That’s why it’s critical to speak with an experienced legal team as soon as possible.

Legal Grounds for Filing an Electric Shock Injury Lawsuit in Michigan

Negligence

Most electric shock lawsuits begin with the legal foundation of negligence. To succeed in a negligence claim, four elements must be proven:

1. Duty – The defendant had a legal obligation to act with care.
2. Breach – They failed to meet that obligation.
3. Causation – That failure directly caused your injuries.
4. Damages – You suffered real, measurable harm as a result.

Importantly, Michigan follows a comparative negligence rule under MCL 600.2959. This means that even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages. However, your total compensation can be reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your award will be reduced by 20%.

Premises Liability

Electric shocks that occur on another person’s property may fall under premises liability law. This legal framework holds property owners and occupiers responsible for maintaining safe environments and addressing dangerous conditions—especially those involving electrical hazards.

In Michigan, the legal duty owed to a visitor depends on their legal status at the time of injury:

• Invitee – These are individuals who enter a property for mutual benefit, such as customers at a store or tenants in an apartment. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, including regular inspections and prompt repairs.
• Licensee – Social guests fall into this category. Property owners must warn licensees of known dangers but are not required to inspect the property for hidden hazards.
• Trespasser – Generally, property owners owe limited duties to trespassers. However, children may be protected under Michigan’s Attractive Nuisance Doctrine, especially if the property contains dangerous features like electrical boxes, transformers, or exposed wires that may entice a child.

Product Liability

Electric shocks caused by defective tools, appliances, equipment, or consumer products may fall under Michigan’s Product Liability laws. In these cases, the responsible party may not be a property owner or employer—but the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the faulty product.

Under the Michigan Product Liability Act (MCL 600.2945–600.2949a), companies can be held liable under three main theories:

• Design Defect – The product was inherently unsafe due to its original design.
• Manufacturing Defect – Something went wrong in the production process, making the product dangerous.
• Failure to Warn or Instruct – The manufacturer failed to provide clear warnings or instructions about known electrical risks.

Employer Liability & Workers’ Compensation

If you were injured by electric shock while on the job, you may be entitled to benefits under the Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act. This no-fault system provides:

• Medical treatment
• Wage loss benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Permanent disability compensation

However, it also limits your ability to sue your employer directly, even if their negligence caused your injuries.

Governmental Liability

When electric shocks happen on public property—like sidewalks, parks, housing projects, or near streetlights—there may be grounds for a claim against a government entity.

These cases are governed by Michigan’s Governmental Tort Liability Act, which presents unique challenges. Most public entities have broad governmental immunity, shielding them from lawsuits in many situations. However, there are exceptions, particularly in cases involving:

• Defective public buildings or electrical infrastructure
• Negligence in maintenance or repair
• Dangerous conditions known to the government

To preserve your rights, you must file a notice of intent to sue within 120 days of the injury, as required under MCL 691.1401 et seq. Missing this window can bar your claim entirely.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in Michigan?

Economic Damages

These are the tangible, financial losses resulting from your injury. They are often backed by receipts, bills, and employment records.

• Emergency and Ongoing Medical Care
  Covers hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, medical devices, and future medical needs related to the electric shock.
• Rehabilitation and Therapy
  Includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and long-term care required to recover lost function or mobility.
• Lost Income and Future Earning Potential
  Compensation for missed work, diminished ability to earn a living, or permanent loss of employment capacity due to injury.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages reflect the emotional, psychological, and physical suffering caused by the injury.

• Pain and Suffering
  Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort experienced both immediately and long-term.
• Emotional Distress
  Addresses the trauma, anxiety, PTSD, or depression resulting from the incident and its aftermath.
• Loss of Quality of Life
  Covers diminished ability to engage in hobbies, relationships, or everyday activities that once brought joy.

Special Categories of Damages

Some electric shock cases may qualify for additional or unique types of compensation:

• Wrongful Death
  If a loved one died as a result of an electric shock injury, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under MCL 600.2922. This includes compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, lost income, and more.
• Punitive Damages
  While rare in Michigan, punitive damages may be awarded in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct—such as knowingly selling a dangerously defective product or tampering with electrical systems.
• Loss of Consortium
  Under MCL 600.2945(c), spouses or close family members can seek compensation for the loss of companionship, support, or intimacy resulting from the injury.

What To Do If You’ve Been Shocked or Electrocuted

Get Medical Help Immediately

Electric shock doesn’t always leave obvious injuries. Beneath the surface, electricity can cause nerve damage, muscle destruction, cardiac complications, or brain trauma—even if you feel “fine” at first.

• Go to the ER or urgent care right away.
• Request diagnostic imaging (CT scans, MRIs), EKGs, and bloodwork to detect hidden damage.
• Follow up with specialists such as neurologists or burn care professionals.

Document the Scene

Time is critical. Once the danger is gone, evidence tends to disappear. Property owners may fix wiring. Employers might clean the area. Don’t wait.

• Take clear photos and videos of exposed wires, defective devices, wet floors near outlets, or other hazards.
• Save all clothing, shoes, or tools involved in the incident.
• Keep damaged items or devices, if safe to do so—they may be key evidence.

Report the Incident

Don’t let the responsible party deny it ever happened. Create a written record.

• If the injury occurred at work, file a formal incident report with your supervisor or HR department.
• If you were injured in a store, rental unit, or public building, notify the property owner or manager in writing.
• If a product caused the injury, contact the manufacturer or retailer and keep copies of all communications.

Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters Alone

Insurance companies are not your friend. Their job is to minimize what they pay, not to help you recover.

• Don’t give recorded statements.
• Don’t sign anything.
• Don’t accept any settlement without understanding your full legal rights.

Contact an Experienced Injury Attorney

You only get one shot at justice. The sooner you involve legal counsel, the better protected you are.

At Marko Law, we act fast:

• We send legal notices to preserve critical evidence.
• We track down witnesses and expert opinions.
• We deal with insurance companies, investigators, and anyone trying to shift blame.

This Isn’t Just Injury—It’s Injustice.

An electric shock injury is more than just a medical emergency—it’s a legal crisis. While you're dealing with pain, recovery, and financial pressure, the parties responsible may already be working to protect themselves. Evidence can disappear. Stories change. Insurance companies close ranks.

At Marko Law, we don’t hesitate. We know what’s at stake—and we take immediate, aggressive action to preserve your case, uncover the truth, and fight for every dollar you deserve. Whether the shock happened at work, in a rental unit, in a public space, or from a defective product, we hold the right people accountable.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com

‍