Electrical accidents can cause devastating burns, cardiac problems, and lifelong nerve damage in a matter of seconds. If you or a loved one suffered an electrocution at a home, job site, business, or other property in Austin, you may be facing painful recovery, lost income, and mounting medical bills.
At Howry Breen & Herman, LLP, we represent people and families after catastrophic events like these. For nearly 25 years, our trial lawyers have handled complex injury and wrongful death cases throughout Central Texas. We understand how quickly an electrical incident can change a life, and we work to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing.
Our firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients harmed by severe negligence. When you contact us, we listen carefully, explain your options in plain language, and discuss how an electrocution accident attorney can protect your rights.
Austin’s growth has brought rapid construction, new residential developments, and expanding commercial and industrial sites. With more electrical work and equipment in use, preventable electrocutions can occur in many settings, from unfinished buildings and renovation sites to rental housing, office spaces, and outdoor areas with exposed wiring or energized equipment.
We have seen electrical incidents connected to unsafe temporary wiring, failure to de-energize circuits before work, missing lockout and tagout procedures, and equipment that did not have proper guards or warnings. In some situations, violations of Texas electrical or building codes may play a role. In workplace incidents, agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may investigate, and those findings can become important evidence.
Serious injury and wrongful death cases that arise in Austin are often filed in Travis County civil courts or nearby Central Texas courts, depending on where the harm occurred and who is involved. Our attorneys are familiar with these venues and the procedures that apply in this area. We understand how local conditions, such as ongoing development, multi-contractor projects, and older electrical systems in some properties, can contribute to electrical hazards.
Every situation is different, and the specific laws and standards that apply will depend on where and how the electrocution happened. When you work with us, we review the facts carefully and explain which safety rules and legal duties may have been violated.
What To Do After An Electrocution
In the moments and days after an electrical incident, you may feel overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure what to do next. Taking certain steps can help protect your health and your potential legal claim. If you are reading this for a family member who is hospitalized, these actions can still be useful.
Electrical injuries can affect the heart, brain, and nervous system in ways that are not always obvious at first. Even if someone seems stable, medical providers typically need to evaluate them for internal injuries, burns beneath the skin, or delayed symptoms. Keeping follow up appointments and following medical advice can also create important documentation of the harm you have suffered.
Key steps that are often helpful after an electrocution incident include:
Seek prompt medical care, even if symptoms seem mild, because hidden cardiac or neurological issues can emerge later.
Report the incident to appropriate parties, such as an employer, property owner, or emergency services, so there is an official record.
Preserve evidence by taking photos or video of the scene, visible injuries, exposed wires, damaged tools, or equipment, if it is safe to do so.
Collect contact information for witnesses and note the names of any companies working at or responsible for the location.
Avoid giving detailed statements or signing documents for insurers, employers, or property owners before speaking with an attorney.
At Howry Breen & Herman, LLP, we help clients connect with necessary medical care and work to manage the legal and insurance issues that arise after a serious electrical injury. Our goal is to provide clear guidance so you are not facing these decisions alone.
Who May Be Liable For Electrocution
Many people assume an electrical accident is simply a matter of bad luck. In reality, these incidents often involve preventable hazards and violations of safety rules. Identifying all responsible parties is a critical step in pursuing fair compensation, especially when injuries are severe or life changing.
Liability can arise from careless property maintenance, unsafe work practices, poor planning, or defective products. For example, a property owner may fail to repair known wiring issues, a contractor may leave energized lines exposed, or a manufacturer may sell equipment that does not shut off properly under unsafe conditions. In workplace settings, improper lockout and tagout procedures, missing training, or lack of protective equipment can also contribute to electrocutions.
Potentially responsible parties may include the property owner, a general contractor, one or more subcontractors, an equipment or tool manufacturer, a utility company, or in some cases an employer or other business entity. More than one party can share responsibility. Sorting out this web of duties typically requires a detailed investigation.
Our attorneys review incident reports, maintenance and construction records, photographs, and video when available. We consult with qualified professionals who understand electrical systems and workplace safety to help explain what should have happened and where the process failed. With experience managing substantial litigation dockets and conducting many depositions, our team is prepared to pursue accountability from corporations and insurers that may resist accepting fault.
How Our Austin Lawyers Can Help
When you contact our firm after an electrical injury, we begin by listening. We want to understand how the incident occurred, what medical challenges you are facing, and how the event has affected your ability to work and care for yourself or your family. We then discuss whether an electrocution accident lawyer Austin residents can work with is the right fit for your situation and outline potential next steps.
If we move forward together, we gather records, photographs, and incident reports, and we work with medical and technical professionals to understand your injuries and the electrical issues involved. Our team evaluates damages that may be available, which can include medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In wrongful death cases, we discuss the categories of losses that Texas law may allow surviving family members to pursue.
We prepare each claim as if it could proceed to trial. This trial-ready approach often helps us negotiate from a position of strength, because defendants know we are prepared to present complex electrical evidence and your story to a jury. We use modern trial technology, such as timelines, diagrams, and visual aids, to make technical concepts more understandable.
Throughout the process, we remain focused on client service. We strive to keep you informed, explain developments in clear language, and be available to answer questions. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. If you are considering speaking with an electrocution accident attorney Austin residents trust, we invite you to call for a free consultation and learn how our team can assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have an electrocution case?
You may have a case if someone failed to follow safety rules, maintain equipment, or correct known electrical hazards and that failure contributed to your injury. We review how the incident happened, what medical harm resulted, and which parties controlled the location or equipment.
Who could be responsible for my electrical injury?
Responsibility can fall on property owners, contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, utilities, or in some situations employers or other businesses. Our attorneys investigate the scene, records, and contracts to identify who created or allowed the dangerous condition and whether multiple parties share fault.
How long can an electrocution case take?
The length of a case depends on factors such as the severity of injuries, how long medical treatment takes, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. We discuss likely timelines with you and keep you updated as the case progresses.
Will your attorneys take my case to trial if needed?
We prepare every case as if it could go to trial, and we have a history of trying significant injury and wrongful death cases. Whether a particular case proceeds to trial depends on many factors, but our trial experience is a central part of how we approach litigation.
Talk With Our Team About Your Next Step
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious electrical injury in Austin or the surrounding area, you do not have to navigate the medical, financial, and legal fallout alone. Speaking with our attorneys can help you understand your options and what pursuing a claim might look like in your situation.
I could not have found more caring people, better lawyers or a better law firm than Howry Breen & Herman.
M.A.
“We are so grateful they believed in us and partnered with us to handle this case!”
We don’t have enough words to describe how thankful we are for everything HBH did to win our business case for us. We are so grateful they believed in us and partnered with us to do it. They are amazing at what they do and we could not have had a better team. They made an enormous, positive difference for us and our business. I could not recommend them more highly.
J.K.
“We were always one step ahead!”
My lawyers at HBH were so smart and aggressive – we were always on offense and one step ahead. They just kept hammering and the other side had no answer.
T.B.
“Best in the Business, Strongly Recommend”
HBH went above and beyond to help out following a crisis. Over the course of a 3 year case, I was always kept in the loop by their amazing team. Their preparation and execution was flawless and made the whole process run smoothly. Cannot speak highly enough of their team and how they care for their clients. Will never recommend another personal injury firm besides HBH.
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
Law.com: Top 100 Verdicts 2024
Howry, Breen & Herman is proud to have been named a Tier 1, 2 and 3 Austin “Best Law Firm” in 9 practice areas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® (“U.S. News” and BL Rankings, LLC). Law firms are selected for inclusion in this prestigious ranking based on a series of quantitative and qualitative criteria. Our specialty and tiers are listed here: https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/howry-breen-herman-llp/overview/36628
The Austin Bar Association was founded in 1893 as a nonprofit professional organization for attorneys. Its mission is to enhance the legal profession, administration of justice, and the community through education, networking, and public service.
Abota Foundation Patriot
Howry Breen & Herman, LLP was selected the Top Personal Injury Law Firm in Austin by Texas Lawyer, “Best of 2020”. The annual special supplement contains the results of Texas Lawyer readers’ poll, wherein readers cast their votes for the best providers of services and goods to the legal profession.
Attorney Sean Breen and Attorney Chris Lavorato placed in California’s Top 100 Settlements for 2019, as tracked by The Recorder and VerdictSearch.
Our law firm is proud to have been recognized in the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame. Texas Lawyer in conjunction with VerdictSearch, recognize attorneys and law firms for their verdicts of $10 million or more. In 2011 Sean Breen was a Hall of Fame Award Recipient for the #1 Premises Liability Top Texas Verdict, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for the jury verdict award in the case VanDusen v. Aspen Square Management. In 2016 Sean Breen was inducted into the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for an outstanding verdict in Nester v. Textron.
Selection to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identity the nation’s most exceptional litigators for high-value personal injury, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice matters. HBH is proud that Sean Breen has been selected for this award. Less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community. (2017-2022)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Litigation - Trusts & Estates (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury - Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award. Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession. Both Sean Breen (since 2017) and Randy Howry (since 2018) are honored to receive this award.
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value, high stakes legal matters. To be considered for selection, an attorney must have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. These minimum qualifications are required for initial consideration. Thereafter, candidates are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, litigation experience, significant case results, representative high stakes matters, peer reputation, and community impact in order to rank the candidates throughout the state. HBH is privileged to honor Partners Sean Breen (2017- 2022) and Randy Howry 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for selection of this award.
Expertise - Howry Breen & Herman was recognized and featured in an article by expertisecommunity.com as one of the Best Real Estate Lawyers in Austin. 2020
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100, a highly respected legal organization that limits its members to premier trial attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by strict qualification requirements. Sean Breen Top 100 Civil Plaintiff, since 2009.
Top 10 Business Tort Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Randy Howry 2012-2013; Sean Breen since 2016.
The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes the top 5% of the most skilled attorneys in the nation. The robust selection process requires attorneys to nominate and review fellow lawyers based on their ethics, skill, knowledge, and ability to obtain results for their clients. The Best Lawyers in America® list is a way for plaintiffs to identify the leading attorneys in their region, known for their ability to get results with honesty, strength, and skill. Tim Herman, Sean Breen & Randy Howry have been featured by The Best Lawyers in America® (consecutively from 2006-2023) running alongside some of the most qualified firms in the nation. More info here.
Top Attorneys As Published In Texas Monthly
Sean Breen has been recognized for obtaining the Number 1 Verdict in Texas for electrical injury and utility negligence. This win underscores his relentless commitment to achieving justice for his clients and showcases the firms dedication to exceptional advocacy.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2017. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2016. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen has been a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2011, a renowned legal organization whose membership is restricted to trial attorneys who have achieved seven-figured settlements and/or jury verdicts.
Martindale-Hubbell® is widely regarded as one of the most renowned peer-review rating organizations in the legal field. Randy Howry (2018), Sean Breen (2001), Tim Herman (1998), and Glen Wilkerson (2014) at Howry, Breen & Herman have achieved the organization’s highest distinction of AV Preeminent®.
Each year, Super Lawyers® magazine publishes its list of peer-nominated/evaluated and independently reviewed attorneys. We are proud to have attorneys who have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers® List, by Thomas Reuters since 2003, running through 2020.
Membership in Top American Lawyers is limited to only 1% of all attorneys in the United States. Randy Howry is proud to be honored with a Lifetime Charter Membership in this exclusive organization (2017).
Randy Howry was honored by Austin Monthly’s Top Attorneys in 2023.