SIL in hospital with pulmonary embolism, received electric shock 5 days ago

Kelsey · December 2011

Hoping someone can help with this one.

My sister in law was having a drink with friends tonight when she suddenly coughed up a large amount of blood and was rushed to hospital with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Earlier this week my in-laws had rented a dodgy shack in Currimundi by the beach at a rate equivalent to blackmail.

The trouble started when on Christmas Eve two of my Sisters In Law and a Brother In Law received electric shocks around the house. One SIL said she felt numb in her hand for hours afterwards, but the other (who is now hospitalised) received the worst shock when standing on a wet bathroom floor and touching a metal window sill.

Energex said it was the lighting and shut off all lights to the house on Christmas Eve. They managed to get an electrician to come out on Christmas Day, enough to get a couple of lights going, but it took another day later in the week to really sort out the problems with the terrible and ancient wiring.

So we've just found out about the embolism 30 mins ago and have done a small amount of research and it seems possible that the shock was the cause.

Electric-savvy dudes (particularly AM), what are your thoughts?

derrilex · December 2011

Cant help with the 240v/embolism connection but that whole situation is utter shithouse. Hope everyone pulls through OK mate.

Kelsey · December 2011

We've had an update from the docs - apparently the ECG stray suggests the electric shock was the cause.

Koffee_Kosmo · December 2011

Firstly its good that they know the cause & looking good to a treatment for recovery However - I hate to say this but have you considered on taking legal action ? KK

Kelsey · January 2012

I think that will be on the cards, KK. My family spent most of their Christmas holidays without main lighting and the lady who owns the joint was quick to dismiss both the inconvenience and the shocks by trotting out the tired old 'well think of those worse off' adage. She tried to offer a couple of free days stay later in the year, but we can't just bring together the family that easily and they wanted a partial refund - the owner basically hung up on her when my MIL suggested it. So I'm guessing legal action will be forthcoming.

Kelsey · January 2012

I should also point out that the voltage measured on that windowsill was just 50v. And apparently these kinds of side effects are seen up to 220 days post-shock. So if that isn't an object lesson on why you shouldn't be fruiting around with 240v unless qualified, I don't know what is.

Muscles · January 2012

This I suspect will be a very long, tedious and drawn out process. I hope it turns out for the best. A lot of time and energy gets spent and sometimes for no return at all. Please keep us posted on your SIL's health and good luck with whatever path this takes you and the family on - I hope at the very least for a speedy recovery for your SIL and that this house gets taken off the rental lists ASAP.

Brett H · January 2012

Thoughts and prayers are with you mate!

Kelsey · January 2012

The owners were definitely aware of the issue. They'd initially told my MIL that previous tenants had had the odd shock from light switches, but only when it was rainy (!!!?!?!?), but later changed her story to say that it had been power switches that were causing issues in the past. The only reason we got an electrician to come out on Christmas Day was because he was my MIL's brother - he spoke to the usual electrician and was told that the owners always tell him to only do the absolute minimum to get things working and to save any other work for 'the renovation' - something that's been spoken about for many years but never eventuated. So the owner was surely aware of the issue previously. The place is self-managed by the owners and is only rented out as a holiday place on an ad-hoc basis. No idea about ELCB. Thanks for your reply AM, much appreciated. No word on my SIL's condition as yet.

Dry_bean. · January 2012

Sorry to hear about your sister in law Kelsey, what a terrible start to the new year, hope she makes a full recovery. I would be very wary about discussing the incident at length or in detail on a public forum, particularly if litigation is being contemplated, keep your powder dry.

Kelsey · January 2012

Unfortunately one of the family has already taken it upon themselves to call the owner and give them a serve. So I'm sure they'll have plenty of time to lawyer up, if it winds up going down that route.

Brett H · January 2012

on 1325377847:

Sorry to hear about your sister in law Kelsey, what a terrible start to the new year, hope she makes a full recovery. I would be very wary about discussing the incident at length or in detail on a public forum, particularly if litigation is being contemplated, keep your powder dry.

Sage advice... hope all is well!

Kelsey · January 2012

Thanks Brett (and everyone else) she's about to be put under for a biopsy and general poke around. Appreciate the well-wishes.

Kelsey · January 2012

Thanks AM glad to have your experience and level head on hand.

GaryatGala · January 2012

All the best to your sister in law Kelsey. Will pray for you for her recovery, and when she does, then it's a good start to the year. Health and happiness is important over all else regardless of fortune nor materialism. I feel for any Crema members who have run into misfortune in some form or another, and especially in the circumstances this one came about. Can relate to it because one of my family members had a embolism a while back, and have recovered well. Now no alcohol to be drunk, and can't drive buses or work for transport companies due to liability. Been through several jobs due to his honesty. That aside, we, and especially AM will tell all that man (or woman) and electrics do not mix. If in doubt about anything, don't do it. It's not worth your well being. Whoever is responsible for the upkeep of the building, had done a disservice for not maintaining up to standard. A case of dodginess. >:( I understand that they paid a bomb for that shack. This could be a case where they can seek legal advice about this incident. Again, all the best and good luck. :thumb: Gary at G

Kelsey · January 2012

Results are in and the docs say that it was caused by electrocution (which I always thought was a term reserved for fatality) but compounded by the fact she's a smoker. Been trying to get her to quit for years. Hope coughing up blood is enough to convince her. BTW - I made an error in my initial post. It was a pulmonary hemorrhage, not embolism.

Kelsey · January 2012

Thanks Gary. Yes, they paid $3k for the week. Sure, nice location, but an absolute dump. There were kids, babies and my own pregnant wife in that place. I shudder to think.

UNM · January 2012

Best wishes to your SIL. Sounds like she is receiving good quality care, which is important at this point in time. I also agree with DBs advice. Keep good records, discuss with professionals. Listen to advice and be careful what you say to whom.

Kelsey · January 2012

Authorities have been updateda and my SIL is doing well. The docs are 100% sure the hemorrhage was caused by the electric shock - in fact it's drawn a lot of curiosity from the staff as apparently this will be one 'for the books', although they haven't really said why. Apparently they've not had a similar case in this country since the 50's.

Kelsey · January 2012

Thanks AM, I agree.

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