(a) Every person, firm, corporation, or association who violates any of the provisions of this subchapter shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000); and in addition thereof, if the violation results in physical or electrical contact with any energized overhead electrical line or conductor, and the violation is a proximate cause of any damage or injury to person or property, then the person, firm, corporation, or association violating the provisions of this subchapter shall be liable to the owner or operator of the electrical line or conductor for all damage to the facilities and for all loss, cost, and damages, including attorney's fees, incurred by way of property damage or personal injury by the owner or operator as a result of any such accidental contact.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to public utilities engaged in business in the State of Arkansas, nor their direct employees, nor to persons owning, leasing, or otherwise possessing a legal interest in the land upon which the energized overhead electrical line is located.