Actual Cases with Large Settlements
Regarding Electrical Equipment Accidents

1. Lawsuit Against an Oil Company

A Washington mechanical engineer was instructed to photograph and measure the dimensions of an electrical substation in preparation for the design of metal housing cabinets. After the Defendant's electrical technicians had supposedly turned off the electricity, the Plaintiff entered the cabinet. Moments later, a 13,800-volt electrical flash severely injured the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff suffered third-degree burns over his entire neck, chest, ears, forehead, nose, lips, and hands and portions of his back, abdomen, arms, and legs. Overall, approximately 16% of the Plaintiff's entire body suffered third-degree burns.

The parties reached a settlement of $4,250,000. At the time of settlement, the Plaintiff had approximately $200,000 in past medical expenses and approximately $900,000 in combined past and future income loss.

2. Lawsuit Against a Manufacturer

A California jury awarded the Plaintiff's estate $1,250,000 following the electrocution death of the Plaintiff. The decedent was fatally electrocuted after opening an electrical junction box and separating wires to perform diagnostic tests on a 480-volt system. One of the Defendant's employees inadvertently turned on the electrical power instantly killing the decedent.

3. Lawsuit against U.S. Government

A Florida jury awarded the Plaintiff $4,108,985.38 following a severe injury whereby the Plaintiff suffered electrical burns to approximately 70% of his body. At the time of trial, the Plaintiff had approximately $850,000 in medical bills.

The Plaintiff was employed by a construction company who was under contract with the United States Navy to perform repair work at the main electrical substation at a naval base. The Navy was obligated to disconnect or reroute the electrical power at the electrical substation and delegated this duty to the foreman of the Plaintiff's employer. Under the impression that the electrical power had been turned off, the Plaintiff entered the particular part of the electrical substation and began painting a piece of energized equipment. The Plaintiff absorbed approximately 26,000 volts.

4. Lawsuit Against a Manufacturer

In a California wrongful death action, the parties reached a settlement of $2,200,000. The decedent was hired to clean the interior of a large warehouse-type building. One of the allegations was that the Defendant had been warned to lock out the electrical power to the bridge crane before any cleaning work could begin. Under the impression that the electricity had been locked out, the decedent climbed his 24-foot ladder and began cleaning the metal walls and ceiling using a bucket of cleaning solution, tamp towels, and squeegees. After working for approximately 1-½ hours, the decedent was seen slumping over, groaning, and then falling backwards to the floor. The Plaintiffs alleged that the Defendant was negligent for not assuring that the electrical power had been locked out of the bridge frame.

5. Lawsuit Against a Manufacturer

A New Jersey jury awarded the Plaintiff $1,108,567 after suffering an amputation of his dominant arm. At the time of the trial, the Plaintiff had approximately $173,000 in past medical specials.

The Plaintiff was working at a water pollution plant and was attempting to clean one of the components of the system when the accident occurred. The Plaintiff alleged that the system was defective because it permitted an electrical current to pass through the system even though one side of the system had been shut down. The Defendant contended that the accident occurred because of the negligence of the supervisor in turning to turn off the second power source.

6. Lawsuit against a Manufacturer

An Ohio jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff's estate in the amount of $3,000,000. In that case, the decedent was electrocuted as a result of the Defendant inadvertently allowing a vault room to become energized.

Interlocking is accepted by safety, insurance, and standards authorities throughout the world as the most reliable and cost effective way of guarding against operator error. Properly installed, inexpensive key interlocks may have been able to prevent all of the above accidents.

Call Kirk Key to see how our interlocks can force maintenance people to follow proper procedures
and reduce liability risks.

Other Application Links AVAILABLE:

Overview
An overview of the importance of key interlock systems in your sequential operations.

Technical Papers
Kirk Key Interlock Company has published these technical papers for your reference when specifying key interlocks in your project.

Standards & Regulations Supporting Utilization of Interlocks
The utilization of key interlocks is supported by many standards and regulations.

Links to Standards and Safety Organizations
Kirk Key Interlock is continually working with safety and standards organizations to recognize that key interlocks are appropriate in many more circumstances than manufacturers and installation contractors are currently utilizing them.