Eye injuries may require examination and treatment by an ophthalmologist, an eye specialist. Broken bones require splinting, casting, or surgery to stabilize the bones. Internal injuries may require observation or surgery. The percentage of the body surface area burned is the most important factor affecting prognosis. If someone who has received an electric shock does not suffer immediate cardiac arrest and does not have severe burns, he or she is likely to survive.
Infection is the most common cause of death in people hospitalized following electrical injury.
Electrical damage to the brain may result in a permanent seizure disorder, depression, anxiety, or other personality changes. For children younger than 12 years, most electrical injuries are caused by power cords. Inspect your power cords and extension cords. Replace any cords that have broken or cracked external covering and any cord that has exposed wire. Do not allow children to play with any electrical cord.