Electric vehicles are no longer niche—they’re everywhere. With that growth comes a rapid expansion of public EV charging stations in parking garages, shopping centers, apartment complexes, and highway rest stops. But while these chargers promise convenience and sustainability, they also introduce risks that many drivers never think about until it’s too late.
Tripping over cables, slipping near charger pedestals, sustaining shocks from damaged connectors, or being burned by overheated charging units are becoming more common. And unlike traditional slip-and-fall or product liability cases, EV charger injuries involve overlapping responsibilities between property owners, charger manufacturers, utility companies, and sometimes even third-party software providers.
At Alan Ripka & Associates, we’ve handled complex injury claims arising from emerging technologies. Public EV charger accidents are among the newest—and most confusing. In this blog, we break down who may be liable, what evidence matters most, and what victims must do to protect their rights.
Why Public EV Chargers Are Increasing Injury Risks
Much like corporate retreats that mix unfamiliar environments with unexpected hazards, EV charging stations combine everyday public spaces with high-voltage electrical equipment. This creates an environment where small oversights can lead to severe harm.
Common hazards include:
Electrical Shock or Burns
Damaged connectors, frayed cables, exposed wiring, or malfunctioning charging ports can deliver dangerous shocks. Wet surfaces or poor drainage increase the risk.
Trip-and-Fall Injuries
Charging cables often lie stretched across walkways, parking spots, or curbs. Poor lighting or inadequate cable management can turn the area into a minefield for pedestrians and drivers.
Fires or Overheating
Defective charging units or poorly maintained equipment can spark fires or cause heat burns.
Slips Near Chargers
Leaking coolant, rain pooling around poorly designed bases, or oily surfaces can create slip hazards.
Because EV chargers operate with high voltage and require regular maintenance, even a small lapse in safety can have serious consequences.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Just like the retreat example where responsibility might fall on employers, venues, or vendors, EV charger injury claims require a detailed look at every party involved.
Property Owners and Operators
The business or municipality hosting the charger must maintain safe premises. This includes:
- Ensuring cables are properly stored
- Providing adequate lighting
- Maintaining non-slip surfaces
- Repairing broken charger mounts or cracked pavement
If they knew or should have known about the hazard, they may be liable under premises liability law.
EV Charger Manufacturers
If the charger itself malfunctioned—sparking, overheating, shocking users, or releasing defective cables—the manufacturer may be responsible for a design or manufacturing defect.
EV Network Providers
Many public chargers are operated by third-party charging networks. They handle software, updates, and remote monitoring. If a software glitch causes a sudden power surge or overheating issue, the network operator may share liability.
Installation Contractors
Improper installation, poor wiring, or failing to follow safety codes can create dangerous conditions. Contractors who installed the charger may be liable if their work was negligent.
Utility Companies
In rare cases, utility companies may share liability if improper grounding, voltage irregularities, or power fluctuations contributed to the incident.
These cases often involve more than one responsible party—so identifying and preserving evidence early is critical.
Why These Cases Are Legally Challenging
EV charger injury cases exist in a legal gray zone, similar to how corporate retreat claims blur distinctions between work and recreation. Public chargers sit at the intersection of several legal categories:
- Product liability
- Premises liability
- Negligent maintenance
- Improper installation
- Software/device malfunction
Because these systems involve both hardware and software, companies often try to deflect blame onto one another.
“Not Our Charger—Just Our Land”
Property owners may argue the equipment belongs to a charging network.
“Not Our Fault—It Was Installed Incorrectly”
Manufacturers may blame installers for wiring failures.
“We Only Provide Software”
Network operators may deny responsibility for physical hardware defects.
“User Error”
Some defendants claim the victim mishandled cables or ignored safety warnings.
These shifting narratives make it essential to work with a law firm that understands multi-party liability in emerging-tech cases.
Types of Injuries Commonly Seen
In EV charging accidents, injuries can be severe and often surprising:
Electric shock
From mild tingling to serious cardiac complications.
Burns
Caused by overheated ports, cables, or charging units.
Broken bones or sprains
From tripping over loose or poorly positioned cables.
Head injuries
From falls near curbs, charging pedestals, or uneven pavement.
Back and spine injuries
From sudden slips on wet or unmaintained surfaces.
Each injury raises its own liability questions—was the equipment defective? Was the area unsafe? Did the operator ignore maintenance alerts?
What Evidence Matters Most?
Because EV chargers blend physical structures with software systems, evidence collection must be comprehensive.
Critical evidence may include:
- Photos of the charger, cables, and surrounding area
- Video footage from parking lot cameras
- Maintenance logs from the property owner or network operator
- Error reports or data logs from the charger itself
- Weather conditions at the time of the incident
- Witness statements
- Medical documentation of injuries
Just as retreat injuries require written reports and preserved gear, EV charger injuries demand fast action before data is overwritten or equipment is replaced.
What Victims Should Do Immediately
If you’re injured at a public EV charger, take these steps:
- Seek medical attention—injuries from electrical incidents can worsen over time.
- Photograph everything: cable positions, charger screens, warning lights, puddles, uneven surfaces.
- Report the incident to the property owner or charging network immediately.
- Ask whether maintenance logs or device reports will be preserved.
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies without legal counsel.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible—data from EV chargers can be overwritten quickly.
Protecting your rights means acting fast, especially when digital evidence is involved.
How a Strong Attorney Can Help
At Alan Ripka & Associates, we take a comprehensive, investigator-driven approach:
- Examining product defects
- Requesting charger data logs
- Subpoenaing maintenance and inspection records
- Interviewing installation contractors
- Reviewing footage of the incident
- Coordinating with electrical engineers and human-factors experts
- Identifying all responsible parties
Our goal is to determine whether negligence, defective equipment, or poor maintenance directly caused your injury—and then fight for the compensation you deserve.
Conclusion: EV Charging Should Be Safe—And When It’s Not, You Deserve Answers
Electric vehicle infrastructure is growing rapidly, but safety standards aren’t always keeping pace. When a public EV charger causes electric shock, burns, or trip-and-fall injuries, victims shouldn’t bear the burden alone. Liability may rest with property owners, charger manufacturers, network operators—or all of them.
At Alan Ripka & Associates, we stand with individuals harmed by unsafe emerging technologies. We will investigate every angle, uncover who is responsible, and fight aggressively for your full compensation.
📞 Call us today at (212) 661-7010 or visit AlanRipka.com to schedule your free consultation.
Your safety matters—and we’re here to make sure someone is held accountable.
