Some victims of electrical burns were injured by lightning, a “natural” occurrence. Contact with an artificial electrical current causes the vast majority of electrical burns. Electrical burns can be extremely severe, whether from an electric arc, in which electricity travels through the air, or an electric current. They can destroy skin and tissue completely, necessitating skin grafts or amputations. Electrical burns can occur anywhere there is frayed wiring, if a cord has been damaged, cut, or worn from use, if the wiring was improperly installed, or if the appliance is defective.