Time of occurrence of the injuries

The consequences of an electric injury may occur immediately or be delayed. Examples of immediate (within a few hours or days) occurring injuries are burns, necrosis, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures as well as motor and sensory deficits. Delayed injuries are mainly neuropathy, cataracts, depression and neuropsychological sequels such as behavioral changes, concentration difficulties and anxiety. These late-onset sequels may occur after several months or even years after the electric injury and it is therefore difficult to diagnose them as a sequel because the treating physician has to establish the connection between the symptoms and the earlier electrical injury.