Premises Liability & Electrical System Failures

When a personal injury, fire, or equipment failure occurs on a property, the question of liability often follows. In many of these cases, improperly designed, installed, or maintained electrical systems play a central role. For attorneys and insurance professionals navigating these claims, understanding the relationship between electrical engineering and premises liability is critical.

At Discovery Engineering, we bring deep experience in evaluating electrical system failures and assessing whether these issues stem from code violations, product defects, or negligent maintenance. This article explores how electrical engineering intersects with premises liability, highlights common failure points, and outlines how our expertise supports litigation.

What Is Premises Liability in an Electrical Context?

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility a property owner or manager has to maintain safe conditions for those who enter the premises. When injury or property damage occurs due to unsafe electrical infrastructure, such as faulty wiring or failed safety systems, legal liability may fall on the party responsible for the building’s maintenance, construction, or design.

In the context of electrical engineering, liability often centers on failure to comply with established electrical safety codes, neglecting system maintenance, or improper installation of critical components. These failures can have devastating consequences, from electric shocks and fires to the breakdown of emergency systems like fire alarms or exit lighting.

How Electrical Engineering Supports Liability Investigations

Electrical engineers play a crucial role in investigating incidents tied to electrical components and infrastructure. We assess whether systems were designed to code, installed properly, and maintained in a way that ensured continued safety.

Our work often includes:

• Inspection of physical equipment and electrical systems
• Analysis of as-built wiring diagrams
• Determination of failure origin
• Assessment of whether the National Electrical Code (NEC) was followed
• Root cause failure analysis of malfunctioning systems or components

By connecting these technical findings to industry standards and safety regulations, Discovery Engineering helps clarify who may be liable – and why.

NEC Code Compliance and Legal Exposure

The National Electrical Code (NEC) provides the baseline for safe electrical installations in commercial and residential structures. Failure to comply with these standards can result in serious hazards and significant liability.

For example, NEC Article 110 outlines general requirements for equipment, including its mechanical strength, temperature ratings, and proper working clearances. Failure to comply with these provisions can result in overheating, arcing, or even electric shock – each of which may lead to a premises liability claim.

A key update in NEC Article 760, which governs fire alarm systems, now mandates surge protection for fire alarm control panels. This change acknowledges the critical nature of fire detection systems and the growing threat of power surges from lightning, utility faults, or internal equipment.

When these systems fail due to inadequate protection, the property owner may be held accountable – especially if the failure contributed to injury or delayed emergency response.

Common Electrical Failures Behind Liability Claims

Shock and Electrocution Hazards

One of the most direct links between electrical failures and premises liability is electric shock. Common causes include:

• Lack of grounding or bonding (Article 250)
• Improper splicing or terminal connections (Article 110.14)
• Exposure of energized conductors due to missing or non-compliant panel covers

These issues often stem from poor installation practices or deterioration that went unaddressed, both of which fall under a property owner’s duty of care.

Fire Risks and Overheating

Undersized or overloaded conductors, unventilated enclosures, and outdated electrical components are major contributors to electrical fires. These failures can be linked to violations of:

• Equipment clearance and ventilation rules
• Conductor temperature ratings
• Overcurrent protection requirements (NEC Article 240)

In the eyes of a jury, failing to prevent these known risks can equate to negligence – especially when codes clearly warn against such practices.

Surge and Lightning Damage

Power surges from external events, such as lightning or grid fluctuations, can disable critical systems like CCTV, access control, or fire alarms. Inadequate surge protection allows this transient energy to damage sensitive equipment, leading to system-wide failure at the moment it’s needed most.

This is particularly relevant for buildings with safety-critical infrastructure. Code-compliant surge protection – typically involving a layered system of Type 1 and Type 2 devices – is no longer optional when life-safety systems are involved.

Security Systems, CCTV, and Legal Responsibility

While surveillance and access control systems are often considered “low-voltage,” they’re no less important in premises liability cases. If a camera fails to record a slip-and-fall or a door lock malfunctions during a security incident, the question arises: was the failure preventable?

NEC Articles 725 and 300 provide requirements for the wiring and support of low-voltage signaling circuits. Issues that may trigger liability include:

• Use of non-listed cables or connectors
• Routing security cabling through unprotected or wet environments
• Inadequate support spacing or insulation

As buildings become more connected, improperly installed low-voltage systems can present just as much liability risk as traditional power circuits.

Grounding and Overvoltage Protection

Proper grounding and bonding are essential not only for system functionality but also for limiting the effects of lightning, power surges, and induced voltages. The grounding electrode system creates a safe path for fault currents and helps stabilize voltage levels during abnormal events.

When grounding is absent, inadequate, or deteriorated, surge energy has nowhere to go – often resulting in arcing within equipment enclosures or conductor insulation breakdown. In court, this can be interpreted as a failure to meet safety standards, especially if it leads to fire or electrocution.

The Expert Witness Role in Litigation

Discovery Engineering provides comprehensive support as an expert witness in claims involving electrical system failures. Our services include:

• On-site inspections
• Evidence documentation and reporting
• Code compliance reviews
• Technical opinions based on failure analysis
• Trial testimony and deposition support

Attorneys rely on our expertise to establish or refute claims of negligence, code violation, or product defect. Our technical clarity and ability to communicate complex electrical issues in understandable terms often prove pivotal in litigation outcomes.

Preventive Design and Risk Mitigation

Many electrical incidents that result in premises liability claims could have been avoided through better design, routine maintenance, or earlier code compliance review. Design professionals and facility managers should be proactive about:

• Verifying installations against the NEC and local amendments
• Installing surge protection where required
• Conducting periodic inspections of older wiring systems
• Using listed and tested products for all installations

A third-party engineering review, like those provided by Discovery Engineering, can help uncover latent risks before they become liability events.

Premises Liability Litigations Caused by Failures

Electrical systems are central to building safety – and increasingly central to premises liability litigation. From high-voltage failures to low-voltage security system breakdowns, the consequences of non-compliance, poor design, or aging infrastructure can be severe.

Discovery Engineering offers the experience, technical knowledge, and courtroom credibility needed to evaluate, explain, and testify in these complex cases. Whether you’re defending a property owner or seeking damages for a building-related injury or failure, our expertise helps uncover the truth behind electrical system performance and failure.

To learn more or request a consultation, contact Discovery Engineering today.