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From: iayork@panix.com (Ian A. York)
Newsgroups: sci.skeptic,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Can you get electrocuted w/ a phone?
Date: 8 May 1996 19:38:25 -0400

In article <4mr36u$cv8@nntp.club.cc.cmu.edu>, <xenon@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu> wrote:
>
>I've never heard of an *actual case* of someone getting electrocuted
>while talking on the phone, either. Maybe it is possible, but I've
>never heard of a case where it has actually happened. If anyone else
>out there is aware of a documented instance of this phenomenon, I hope
>that they will post an answer to your question.

Followups set to alt.folklore.urban only.

There are hundreds of instances. The outcome can be fairly unpleasant, to judge from some of the case reports.

Andrews CJ.
Telephone-related lightning injury
Medical Journal of Australia. 157(11-12):823-6, 1992

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review reported telephone-related lightning injuries, outline the mechanisms of injury and suggest treatment strategies. DATA SOURCES: Cases notified to Telecom Australia and an extensive search of the literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: There is a dearth of literature on telephone-related lightning injury. Some reports note it in passing, others describe single incidents. Case reports from Australia provide detail sufficient for review, and the general principles which govern management of such injuries are presented. CONCLUSION: Telephone-related lightning injury is not rare. Practitioners should be aware of the uniqueness of lightning injury and the complexity of its assessment. A research program aimed at further elucidation of the detail of this injury is proceeding.

Andrews CJ. Darveniza M.
Telephone-mediated lightning injury: an Australian survey. Journal of Trauma. 29(5):665-71, 1989

Abstract

Each year in Australia, about 60 people report injuries attributable to lightning surges while using a telephone during nearby thunderstorms. This paper presents information about such incidents and describes a retrospective survey of more than 300 telephone users reporting injuries possibly attributable to lightning. Questionnaires yielded 132 usable responses, and the results were analysed to identify the extent and nature of the lightning injuries. These are compared with direct strike injuries. Three distinct telephone-mediated lightning strike syndromes are identified (statistically) among the victims.

Ian