Accident due to lightning

This code signifies an injury or adverse health effect directly resulting from a lightning strike. It encompasses both direct strikes and indirect effects such as ground current or side flashes. The resulting conditions can range from burns and cardiac arrest to neurological damage and blunt trauma.

This code is appropriate for documenting any injury or sequela where lightning is identified as the external cause. Documentation should clearly state that the patient's condition is a direct consequence of a lightning strike. This includes initial presentations and follow-up care for lightning-related injuries.

• Always use an additional code to specify the nature of the injury (e.g., burns, cardiac dysrhythmia, fracture).
• Distinguish from electrical shock from man-made sources, which uses different external cause codes.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly links the patient's condition to a lightning strike for accurate coding.