Dothan Welding Accident Attorney

Welding is a strenuous and dangerous job. Workers are exposed to heat, pressure, fumes, and radiation that can be harmful to all parts of the body. Despite the risks of the job, welders still have the right to a safe and secure work environment. If you’ve been hurt in a welding accident in Alabama, you could be entitled to compensation through the state workers’ compensation system.

Welding Accident Lawyer in Dothan, Alabama

Eligible welding workers can apply for workers’ compensation benefits through their employer’s insurance company. These benefits cover medical expenses and a portion of the employee’s lost wages. If your injury was caused by a negligent third-party (like a contractor or defective product), there is also the possibility of seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The best way to learn what compensation you may be entitled to be by contacting an experienced Dothan welding accident attorney.

Turn to Gartlan Injury Law today. Our Dothan workers’ compensation lawyers can assist with all aspects of your welding accident claim. Let us do the heavy work so that you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track.

Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

How Do Welding Accidents Happen?

Welding accidents occur in a variety of industries, including construction, shipbuilding and ship maintenance, manufacturing, and industrial jobs.
Common welding injuries include:

Electrical shock

Electrical shock happens when you come in contact with objects that have a voltage between them. In a welding accident, primary electric shock occurs when you touch an electrical part of the welding machine at the same time as touching grounded metal. A secondary voltage shock can happen if you touch a part of the electrical circuit at the same time you touch a part of the metal being welded.

Toxic Exposure

Welding often produces toxic fumes. Welding fumes can contain harmful chemical byproducts, such as lead, aluminum, carbon monoxide, and arsenic. Toxic exposure can lead to the development of respiratory illnesses.

Excessive noise

Welders work in environments that typically produce over 85 decibels of noise. Without proper ear protection, welders risk hearing loss.

Fires and explosions

Because of the high heat of the welding arc and the hazardous gases, fumes, and chemicals involved, welders risk being seriously injured or killed in a fire or explosion.

High temperatures

Welders face significant burn risks due to the high temperatures and amount of chemicals involved in the job process. Molten metals, hot sparks, and flying metal pieces can cause serious and painful burns.  Debris landing in the welder’s eye or inside the ear canal can cause permanent damage to the welder’s vision or hearing.

Optical hazards

Sparks and hot metal drops can injure a welder’s eyes. Welders also risk welder’s flash, eye arc, and flash burns, which is caused by ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the electrical arc. Proper eye protection is critical to guard against eye damage in welding accidents.

Uncomfortable workspace 

Welders often work for hours in a confined environment. Because their bodies are in awkward positions for long periods of time, they can suffer from chronic strain injuries.

What Injuries Can Happen from a Welding Accident?

• Burns
• Electric shock
• Vision problems or blindness
• Toxic chemical exposure
• Brain damage
• Nerve damage
• Radiation poisoning
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Amputation
• Scarring and disfigurement

What is an Arc Eye Radiation Injury?

Arc-eye, also known as welder’s flash, is an inflammation of the cornea (the transparent layer in the front of the eye), caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation during welding. The welder is often unaware that they have been exposed until hours later. Common symptoms of arc-eye are eyes that are red, watery, and painful. Light sensitivity is another symptom.

What is Welders’ Parkinson’s Disease?

Manganese, a metallic element found in most forms of steel, has been linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease among welders. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking and coordination. Symptoms of Parkinson’s typically appear gradually and increase in severity over time.

How is Liability Proven in a Welding Injury Case?

If your welding accident happened on the job, there is no need to prove that anyone was at fault in order to collect workers’ compensation benefits in Alabama. All you have to do is show that your injury happened while you were performing job-related duties.

The advantage of the workers’ comp system is that you can collect benefits no matter who is to blame. The tradeoff is that you can’t sue your employer for negligence or collect money for pain and suffering, which ultimately limits how much compensation you can recover after a welding accident.

However, there are cases in which a personal injury lawsuit is possible after a job injury. If your welding accident occurred due to a third party’s carelessness, you may be able to sue in addition to collecting workers’ compensation. Keep in mind that this is only possible if someone else, not your employer, is responsible for your injury.

A simple example of when a third-party lawsuit might be appropriate is if workers a welding tool defect caused your welding injuries. If a faulty rod or component caused the equipment to fail, you could have a valid claim against the product designer or manufacturer. In these cases, the burden of proving fault is on you. Building a solid liability claim is a job for a skilled attorney, who will know what evidence to collect and how to present it effectively in order to obtain compensation for you. Contact our welding injury attorney today.

What Evidence Is Needed for a Welding Accident Injury Case?

No matter if you are applying for workers’ compensation benefits or filing a personal injury lawsuit, the success of your claim will hinge upon providing strong evidence of your injury.

With a workers’ comp claim, you will need to show:

• Written proof that you notified your employer within 5 days of the discovery of the injury or illness
• Medical records confirming your diagnosis and that the injury is work-related
• Other relevant evidence, such as accident photos, video, reports, lab results, and witness testimony

Similar evidence will also be needed for a third-party claim. However, because the success of a personal injury claim depends on proving the other party was at fault, your lawyer will likely need to collect more in-depth evidence than is needed for a standard workers’ compensation claim.

Contact an Our Welding Accident Attorney Today

If you were seriously hurt in a welding accident in Alabama, don’t hesitate to contact the knowledgeable Dothan work injury lawyers at Gartlan Injury Law. With the help of our skilled and compassionate attorneys, you can protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve for your welding injuries.

All initial consultations are free. Call us today to get started.