About the Course
Introduction
This CLE webinar will discuss the unique standards of care, issues of liability, and statutory and regulatory frameworks applicable in personal injury lawsuits against electric utilities arising from electrical shock. The panel will also address identifying all responsible parties, how to determine when persons injured on the job can look to non-employer third parties for compensation, and common defense strategies.
Description
Electrical injuries are complex and unique, unlike blunt force or penetrating wounds. Injuries include death, extensive burns, deep tissue damage, and systemic chronic complications over multiple organ systems. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, the most significant category of electrical fatalities (and injuries) both in and outside the workplace is contact with overhead power lines.
Lawsuits seeking compensation for electrical injuries are also complex and involve standards of care, issues of liability, and statutory and regulatory frameworks different from other types of personal injury cases. Liability is typically asserted against utilities under a theory of premises liability as the owner of the transmission poles and lines, and under theories of negligence based on their control of the electricity, the line, or the equipment involved. Ownership and operational control of the electricity, equipment, lines, and poles may not be obvious. Different utilities may be responsible for each component.
Thoughtful and informed investigation and collection of the key evidence are needed, with the applicable standards of care and possible defenses in mind. Obtaining the records showing the status of electrical equipment in real time, dispatch communications, and GPS records may require experts who understand the systems involved. The utility may have some level of immunity for certain claims, but some duties are nondelegable. There may be special pleading or timing requirements. The defense in these cases commonly focuses on the conduct of the injured person, and the utilities' obligations normally stop at the "meter box."
Listen as this experienced panel discusses the unique standards of care, issues of liability, and statutory and regulatory frameworks applicable in personal injury lawsuits against electric utilities arising from electrical shock.
Presented By
Mr. Breen has been recognized multiple times for his service to clients and the legal profession by some of the most prestigious legal organizations in the nation - Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury Litigation (2025), Commercial Litigation and Construction Law (2009), Best Lawyers® 2020 Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, Named the Best Lawyers® 2017 Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Austin, (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC), Top 50 US Verdicts (2016), Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame (2011 and 2016), Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2011-2021), National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Civil Plaintiff (2009-2021), Best Lawyers in America® in 2025, Best Lawyer in America - Colorado, and Super Lawyers® List by Thomson Reuters (since 2004). He has also been included amongst the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on his verdicts and/or settlements with the awards of 7 Figure Litigators® and 8 Figure Litigators® by America’s Premier High-Stakes Litigators®, 2020. Recently, Sean was named Austin’s Top Attorneys by Austin Monthly (2025), and named AV Preeminent Attorney, Judicial Edition by Martindale-Hubbell. Also, Howry Breen & Herman, was selected the Top Personal Injury Law Firm in Austin by Texas Lawyer, “Best of 2020”.
Mr. Floyd has over 45 years of experience in Electrical Safety in the Workplace. His work to advance the practice of occupational electrical safety has been recognized by leading engineering and safety institutions. Mr. Floyd retired from DuPont in 2014, holding the positions of Principal Consultant – Electrical Safety & Technology, and Global Electrical Safety Competency Leader. For more than 35 years, Mr. Floyd focused on electrical safety in the construction, operation, and maintenance of industrial and commercial facilities worldwide for DuPont. This included safety management systems, competency renewal, work practices, and the application of technologies critical to electrical safety performance. Mr. Floyd has been providing expert witness services and litigation support for over 10 years. His expertise is available to counsel representing both plaintiff and defendant. Mr. Floyd’s services include consulting, site inspections, testing, reports, depositions, and trial testimony when necessary.
-
This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
-
Date + Time
- event
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- schedule
1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
I. Statutory and regulatory frameworks
II. Standards of care
III. Issues of liability
A. Tracing ownership and control
B. Identifying all defendants
IV. Defenses and defense strategies
V. Damages
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What are the standards for maintenance and repair?
- How has PG&E's guilty plea in California affected how utilities defend themselves?
- Is electricity considered a consumer product for purposes of product liability?
- Do the standards in the National Electric Safety Code have the force of law?
- Do claims have to be asserted in a forum other than a court of law?
Related Courses
Shock and Electrocution Cases Against Utilities: Duties of Care, Statutory and Regulatory Frameworks, Defenses
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
