Electrocution-related mortality in northern India – A 5-year retrospective study

Abstract

Background and aim: Electrical burns are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which are usually preventable with simple safety measures. Methods: An observational retrospective study of non-lightening electrocution deaths was conducted in Lucknow, India between 2008 and 2012. Results: Out of 83 deaths, 71 investigated were accidental and the rest were suicidal. The age range was 11 months to 75 years with a mean age of 28.9 ± 12.5 years. About 65 (78%) were males and the rest were females. The upper extremity was the most frequently involved contact site in 51 deaths (61%). No electrical burn marks were present in 10 (11.9%) cases. Work-related accidents were responsible for 49 cases of deaths (59%) and home accidents for 19 cases of deaths (22.9%). Deaths were caused most frequently by touching an electrical wire (35 cases, 41.9%). There was an increase in electrocution deaths in the months of July–September (32 cases, 39%). About 50 cases (60.7%) were dead at the scene of the accident and 33 cases (31.9%) were dead on arrival at the hospital. The unique findings of this study include 12 cases (14.4%) of suicidal electrocution and a high rate of work-related accidental electrocution. Conclusion: Death rates from electrocution among all medico-legal deaths were found to be lower in this study than in previous reports, most of them were work-related and preventable. Workers and their employers should be educated to avoid such accidents with safety measures.

Keywords

• Electrocution
• Forensic medicine
• Accident
• Upper extremity