An inverter device for a liquid crystal display includes a transformer for receiving an inverter drive voltage, converting the received drive voltage into an AC lamp drive voltage and supplying the AC lamp drive voltage to a high path of a backlight lamp, a low path switching part selectively connecting a low path of the backlight lamp with a ground voltage source in response to an external inverter ON/OFF signal, and a shutdown circuit for receiving a voltage input through the low path of the backlight lamp to monitor for a malfunction of the backlight lamp in response to an external shutdown ON/OFF signal.