A tragic workplace incident occurred Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Genoa Township, Michigan, when two construction workers were critically injured after being electrocuted by a falling power line. The accident happened at a commercial construction site on Latson Road, where a new car wash is under development.
According to reports, the workers were pouring concrete when the boom spreader from a concrete truck made contact with an overhead power line. The high-voltage line snapped and fell to the ground, striking two workers who were nearby. Both men sustained severe electrical injuries and were transported by emergency responders to the University of Michigan Hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors
While the investigation is ongoing, initial reports suggest that the concrete truck’s boom may have breached a safe clearance zone near energized power lines. The contact likely caused the line to arc or snap, resulting in the electrocution of the nearby workers.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous environments, particularly when heavy machinery is operating near overhead electrical lines. Safety procedures should include:
- Pre-job hazard assessments or JSAs
- Clear demarcation of power lines
- Use of spotters or flaggers to guide concrete boom operators
- Compliance with OSHA and state-specific safety regulations
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is leading the investigation into whether proper protocols were followed and if any regulatory violations contributed to the incident.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Electrocution is one of the leading causes of fatal injuries on construction sites in the United States. Contact with overhead power lines is a well-documented hazard, and construction companies must implement controls to prevent such accidents, including maintaining minimum clearance distances and grounding equipment when working near electricity.
Electrical injuries often result in long-term medical complications, including neurological damage, burns, cardiac events, and mobility impairments. Victims and their families may face staggering medical bills and months—if not years—of recovery.
Legal Rights and Options for Injured Workers
Injured workers may have the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim to help cover medical expenses and lost wages. However, when an incident results from negligence by a third party—such as a subcontractor, equipment operator, or utility company—a separate personal injury lawsuit may be warranted.
Our firm represents workers and their families in cases involving falls, heavy equipment incidents, and other catastrophic job site accidents. As experienced accident attorneys, we work to determine whether safety violations occurred and who should be held responsible.
Legal remedies may include compensation for:
- Emergency and long-term medical treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
If a company failed to comply with safety standards or federal OSHA regulations, that may serve as powerful evidence of liability in a personal injury lawsuit.
Call a Construction Accident Lawyer for Help
If you or someone you love was injured in a workplace accident involving electrocution or heavy equipment, it’s essential to consult an experienced construction accident attorney right away. Our legal team can investigate the circumstances and take action to protect your rights.
Contact our office at 713-804-9306 to speak with a qualified construction injury lawyer. Consultations are free and confidential.