CT Man Survives Electrocution Incident at Construction Site: His Story

# Connecticut Man Sues Yale New Haven After Electrical Shock Leaves Lasting Injuries

Michael Zarlenga has filed a lawsuit against Yale New Haven Continuum Corporation, All American Waste, and several other parties. This legal action follows a severe electrocution at a New Haven construction site in 2023.

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The case is now moving through Bridgeport Superior Court. What started as a routine task turned into a life-altering injury for Zarlenga, leaving him with permanent consequences.

Details of the Electrocution Incident

The incident happened at the Grimes Center on Chapel Street in New Haven. This facility operates as part of the Yale New Haven healthcare network.

Court documents say Zarlenga was there for legitimate business reasons. He found himself in a situation that no one would expect to be dangerous.

How the Electrocution Happened

The lawsuit claims Zarlenga got electrocuted while closing the gate to a fenced enclosure around a dumpster compactor. The compactor was apparently broken and left exposed, which seems like a big oversight.

This faulty equipment allegedly touched a partially buried metal conduit. That conduit then carried electricity straight to the fence Zarlenga touched.

Some safety experts from Hartford and Stamford have pointed out that these types of accidents show how crucial proper electrical grounding is at construction and renovation sites. This is especially true for healthcare facilities, where the public might have access.

Permanent Injuries and Their Impact

Zarlenga now deals with severe, lasting health problems. These issues affect his daily life and have made it hard for him to work.

Physical and Medical Consequences

The lawsuit lists several ongoing medical conditions caused by the electrocution, including:

Persistent headaches

Nerve damage

Hand and forearm pain

Chronic fatigue

Decreased physical stamina

Erectile dysfunction

Doctors from New London and Greenwich, who have consulted on similar cases, say electrical injuries often lead to long-term neurological problems. These can be tough to treat and sometimes never fully go away.

Legal Claims and Allegations

The lawsuit, filed in Bridgeport Superior Court, seeks damages over $15,000. The real amount probably reflects Zarlenga’s medical bills and lost income, which must be substantial.

Negligence Claims

Zarlenga’s lawyers allege several types of negligence, including:

Improper design of the electrical systems

Faulty installation of the compactor equipment

Inadequate maintenance procedures

Failure to develop and implement appropriate safety protocols

The lawsuit argues the electrical equipment should’ve been enclosed, grounded, or de-energized. Only qualified personnel should have had access. Inspectors from Waterbury have raised similar safety concerns at other Connecticut construction sites in the past.

Broader Implications for Connecticut Construction Safety

This case has caught the eye of safety advocates in Danbury and all over Connecticut. They see it as a reminder that strict safety standards really matter at every construction and renovation site.

The incident raises important questions about responsibility and oversight when multiple contractors and entities manage facilities open to the public. Some folks in Norwalk’s construction safety community think a clearer chain of responsibility could’ve stopped this from happening.

Here is the source article for this story: A CT man was electrocuted at a construction site. Here is what he says happened.

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