Skilled welders perform work that is critical to the success of many different industries. They often work on construction sites, oil rigs, and shipyards. Their work requires a high degree of skill and can be very dangerous because welders work with materials that have extremely high temperatures. Even though welders perform difficult tasks, their working environments should be as reasonably safe as possible.
If you or your loved one experienced a serious workplace injury as a welder, you will need all the help you can get. A trusted Las Vegas welding accident lawyer from Shook & Stone could help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Welders Can Experience
Due to the dangerous nature of their work, welders can suffer many different injuries that can severely alter their lives. Most commonly, welders experience burns, which can result in pain, disfigurement, and scarring. Eye injuries are also common and can occur from flying particles, exposure to toxic gases, and exposure to ultraviolet rays. Exposure to noxious gases can impair proper lung functioning and affect other internal organs. Loss of hearing can occur from welding accidents. Broken bones and crushed extremities are also risks that welders face. Electrocution injuries can also occur.
Regardless of the type of injury that a welder suffers, our dedicated Las Vegas attorneys could fight to get them maximum compensation through various sources of recovery.
Different Causes of Welding Accidents
Although welders perform dangerous work, they should be able to rely on their working environment being as safe as possible. Unfortunately, accidents occasionally happen due to the following:
- Fires
- Explosions
- Untrained workers making a mistake
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, vapors, and fumes
- Problems with machinery and equipment due to inherent safety defects or due to lack of proper maintenance and replacement
- Lack of sufficient safety equipment or safety training in the event of an accident
Our hardworking Las Vegas lawyers could investigate the welding accident to see why it happened. After reviewing the evidence, our attorneys could identify who is to blame and where the injured welder could look to recoup their losses.
Possible Sources of Compensation After a Welding Accident
Injured welders might have more than one method to recover compensation after experiencing workplace injuries.
Workers’ Compensation
Most welders who experience acute injuries while at work or develop a chronic medical condition due to their workplace duties can look to recover compensation under their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance plans. A benefit of workers’ compensation benefits is that they are fault-free, which means that an injured worker can collect benefits without having to prove that their employer did something to cause their injury. However, workers’ compensation benefits are more limited in scope.
Third-Party Civil Suits
Many welding accidents happen because of a third party’s mistake. Although workers’ compensation laws prevent employees from directly suing their employers, an injured welder might be able to pursue a civil lawsuit against other parties. Some of the potentially responsible parties could include the owner of the property or building where the accident occurred, a subcontractor working near the welder, or the manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment or machinery. Third-party civil suits could potentially pay injured welders considerably more than workers’ compensation benefits.
Our knowledgeable legal professionals at Shook & Stone could help you determine the best path forward.
Talk to a Las Vegas Welding Accident Attorney About Your Case
Welding accidents often result in long-term implications that can prevent you from working to support yourself and your family. You need to work with a law firm that knows how to help. Our experienced attorneys from Shook & Stone are well-suited to handle every aspect of your case. Our team has extensive experience handling claims involving personal injury, workers’ compensation, and social security.
Talk to a seasoned Las Vegas welding accident lawyer in a free consultation today.
