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California electric utilities are subject to specific inspection and maintenance requirements that are intended to keep electrical infrastructure safe. Under California Public Utilities Commission, (CPUC) General Order 165, utilities must inspect electric facilities at regular intervals, document certain problems they find, and schedule corrective action.
These requirements can become important when someone suffers a serious electrical injury involving a power line, utility pole, transformer, or other electrical equipment. Utility company liability depends on facts such as who owned or controlled the equipment, what caused the electrical hazard, and whether required safety measures were followed.
If you have been harmed by utility company negligence, the Santa Barbara electrical injury lawyers at NordstrandBlack PC can investigate the accident, identify potentially responsible parties, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation for medical expenses and other losses like loss of income, pain and suffering, and other legally recoverable damages.
California Electric Utilities Have Safety Obligations
A violation of a safety requirement can provide important evidence when determining how an accident happened and whether an electrical system was properly maintained. California Public Utilities Code § 399.2 requires an electrical corporation to operate its distribution grid in a safe and reliable manner.
General Order 165 addresses inspection cycles for electric distribution facilities. Utilities must patrol covered systems annually in urban areas and at specified intervals in rural areas, while detailed inspection intervals depend on the equipment involved. Inspection records must identify certain types of equipment conditions. When problems are found, corrective action must be scheduled.
When Could a Utility Be Liable for Electrical Injuries?
An electric utility could be responsible when an injury results from a dangerous condition involving equipment the utility owned, operated, maintained, or controlled, and the evidence supports a legal basis for liability.
An investigation must determine why the dangerous electrical condition existed and who had responsibility for preventing or correcting it. Several circumstances may warrant investigation.
Poorly Maintained Utility Equipment
Electrical infrastructure is exposed to weather, age, vibration, corrosion, vegetation, vehicle impacts, and other conditions. Poles, conductors, transformers, connectors, insulators, and related components can deteriorate.
Depending on the type and location of equipment, inspection requirements can include patrols, detailed inspections, and intrusive inspections of certain poles. Evidence that utility-owned equipment had become unsafe, combined with evidence showing inadequate inspection, maintenance, or repair, could become significant in an electrical injury claim.
Damaged or Deteriorating Electrical Infrastructure
A cracked pole, damaged conductor, deteriorated connection, defective insulator, or compromised transformer can create a serious electrical hazard. An investigation may examine how long the condition existed, previous inspection records, repair orders, complaints, maintenance history, and whether utility personnel had previously identified the problem.
Downed or Sagging Power Lines
Downed lines can create an obvious electrocution hazard, but sagging lines can also be dangerous when they are too close to people, vehicles, structures, trees, or equipment. General Order 95 contains detailed clearance requirements for overhead electrical lines. Required distances vary according to factors such as voltage, location, and what is underneath or near the conductors.
Inadequate Inspection or Maintenance
A utility’s inspection records can be important evidence after a serious electrical accident. An attorney may investigate when the equipment was last inspected, what the inspection revealed, whether corrective work was recommended, when repairs were scheduled, and whether those repairs were completed.
Vegetation Contacting Electrical Infrastructure
Trees and other vegetation can contact power lines directly or cause problems when branches fall during wind or storms. When vegetation contributes to an electrocution or arc flash accident, investigators may examine trimming records, inspection history, previous reports of hazardous trees, and responsibility for vegetation management.
Failure to Address a Known Hazard
Notice can become an important issue in a utility injury case. For example, there may be evidence that a utility previously received reports concerning a leaning pole, low hanging line, damaged electrical box, sparking equipment, or another potentially dangerous condition.
An attorney can seek records showing when the problem was reported, how the utility classified it, what response occurred, and whether repairs were completed before the accident.
Unsafe Placement or Clearance of Electrical Lines
Construction equipment, ladders, scaffolding, cranes, trees, buildings, and other structures can come dangerously close to energized lines. California’s General Order 95 establishes clearance standards for overhead lines, including clearances involving thoroughfares, pedestrian areas, buildings, structures, and other wires.
Determining whether a line complied with applicable requirements may require measurements, photographs, engineering analysis, and information about the line’s voltage and configuration.
Failures After Storms, Collisions, or Other Events
California utility safety standards address emergency preparedness and response to damaged electrical distribution facilities. Relevant questions can include whether the equipment was properly maintained before it failed, whether the utility received notice of damage, whether appropriate emergency procedures were followed, and whether a dangerous condition remained energized longer than reasonably necessary.
Southern California Edison Injury Claims Require a Detailed Investigation
Southern California Edison serves territory that includes portions of Santa Barbara County. An electrical injury claim may require investigation of SCE records along with evidence from the accident scene.
An electrical injury attorney’s investigation may include:
- Photographs and video
- Utility inspection records
- Maintenance histories
- Repair and work orders
- Outage information
- Prior complaints
- Vegetation management records
- Equipment data
- Witness statements
- Emergency response records
- Examination of the electrical equipment
Speak With an Experienced Santa Barbara Electrical Injury Lawyer
At NordstrandBlack PC, we represent people who have suffered serious injuries and help them understand their legal options during a difficult time.
Santa Barbara personal injury attorneys Renée Nordstrand-Black and Doug Black are committed to protecting the rights of injured people and pursuing compensation for their medical expenses, loss of income, and other losses. Renée has received the Deborah Talmage Attorney of the Year Award, and our firm has earned a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo based on legal experience, peer reviews, and professional recognition.
Experience Makes the Difference
To find out how we can help, call (805) 962-2022 and schedule a free consultation today.
FAQs About Electrical Injuries and Utility Company Liability
Can an electric utility be held liable for an electrical injury in Santa Barbara?
An electric utility may be held liable when its negligence contributes to an electrical injury. Liability can depend on who owned or controlled the electrical equipment, whether the equipment was properly inspected and maintained, whether applicable safety requirements were followed, and what caused the accident.
What types of utility problems can cause serious electrical injuries?
Potential hazards include downed or sagging power lines, deteriorating utility poles, damaged transformers, defective conductors, inadequate line clearances, and vegetation contacting electrical infrastructure. Poor inspection or maintenance practices may also contribute to dangerous conditions.
Can more than one party be responsible for an electrical accident?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility could potentially involve an electric utility, property owner, contractor, subcontractor, electrician, employer, equipment manufacturer, or another party. Identifying who owned and controlled the equipment and what each party did before the accident is an important part of investigating an electrical injury claim.