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

Electrical burns are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which are usually preventable with simple safety measures. An observational retrospective study of non-lightening electrocution deaths was conducted in Lucknow, India between 2008 and 2012. Out of 83 deaths, 71 investigated were accidental and the rest were suicidal. The age range was 11months to 75years with a mean age of 28.9±12.5years. 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. 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.