An electrical injury occurs when the skin or internal organs are exposed to electric current.
The human body conducts electricity very well. Direct contact with an electrical current can be fatal. Although the cause of an electrical injury is often obvious, these injuries can be overlooked at the time they occur. Sometimes very severe electrical shocks look minor. Outwardly, the shock may only cause small burns. However, internal damage can be very serious.
The most easily damaged organs are the heart and the brain. Cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart stops beating, can occur if the beating mechanism of the heart is affected. There can also be significant muscle destruction from the current passing through the body.
Electrical injuries commonly occur when:
Anyone may be injured by: