Welders have one of the most dangerous occupations in the construction industry since they are exposed to extremely high temperatures and bright light. Sparks and spatter from a welding arc can extend far beyond the area where a welder is working. That means that other employees at a construction site can be hurt if steps are not taken to prevent accidents.
If you suffered injuries due to a requirement to carry out your duties near a welder without being given appropriate protective equipment, or if the building owner or contractor did not take appropriate steps to make the workplace safe, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A Los Angeles close proximity of multiple workers lawyer may be able to help.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm represents clients across the United States in personal injury cases. Many of our clients suffered injuries at work because their employers did not recognize dangerous conditions or were aware of hazards but failed to take appropriate actions to protect their employees. Call our office at (800) 529-9122 to talk to a member of our staff about how we may be able to help you.
How Employees Working Near a Welder Can Be Hurt
A welding arc emits ultraviolet radiation that can burn a person’s unprotected skin. An individual who is working near a welder or someone who happens to walk by can be burned. Skin can also be burned if radiation from a welding arc is reflected off a wall, ceiling, or metal object. That means that even employees who are not in the immediate vicinity of a welder may be injured.
Welding burns may require hospitalization, surgery, and skin grafts. Burns can leave a victim scarred and disfigured for life and can make it difficult or impossible to work and to return to life as it was prior to the accident.
The ultraviolet radiation emitted by a welding arc can damage the surface and mucous membrane of the eye. That can cause pain, eye irritation, and sensitivity to light. If a person who is working near a welder is not wearing appropriate eye protection, that employee can be injured.
The process of welding also gives off toxic fumes. If the area where a worker is welding is not well ventilated, other employees in the vicinity who are not wearing protective equipment can inhale the fumes. That can cause them to experience eye, nose, and throat irritation as well as nausea and dizziness. Long-term exposure to toxic fumes from welding may cause cancer, organ damage, and neurological problems.
Rules in Place to Protect Workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates and enforces regulations that are designed to protect employees in a wide range of industries. OSHA has rules regarding protective equipment and steps that should be taken to prevent welding accidents. For example, workers should be given protective eyewear, vests or jackets, and footwear. A room where an employee is welding should be ventilated to protect workers from the effects of toxic fumes.
Those regulations are in place to protect employees, and companies can face financial penalties for failing to comply. Additionally, injured workers can file lawsuits and receive financial compensation, yet some employers still do not follow the rules. That can put workers’ lives in jeopardy, even if they are not welders themselves.
For a free legal consultation with a Close Proximity of Multiple Workers Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 529-9122
How Injured Employees Can Seek Justice
If you suffered harm in a welding accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. You might think that you should file a workers’ compensation claim. While that is an option, it may not be the best one. Workers’ compensation would cover bills for emergency room treatment, surgeries, physical therapy, and other medical treatments, as well as lost wages, but it would not pay for pain and suffering.
If you suffered serious harm in a welding accident, your injuries may continue to affect you for the rest of your life. You may never be able to work again, at least in the field you worked in prior to the accident. You may struggle to perform household chores that you used to do easily. You may be unable to care for your children and enjoy playing with them. You and your spouse may be struggling financially and worried about the future.
All those changes can take a heavy emotional toll. A personal injury lawsuit could allow you to receive compensation for the mental pain that your injuries caused in addition to the physical and financial harm.
A Los Angeles close proximity of multiple workers lawyer may be able to help you obtain a financial award for injuries caused by a welding accident. While that might not allow you to return to the life you once had, it could give your family some financial security and help to ease the emotional burden. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your case with a member of our staff.
Los Angeles Close Proximity of Multiple Workers Lawyer Near Me (800) 529-9122
Connect with an Attorney to Pursue Justice
Construction companies, contractors, and building owners have a responsibility to take precautions to protect their workers. Unfortunately, some employers cut corners or ignore safety regulations altogether to save time and money. That puts workers at risk and can lead to catastrophic and avoidable injuries.
If you suffered injuries because of a requirement to work near another person who was welding, and the contractor or building owner did not provide you with appropriate protective equipment and take other necessary safety precautions, you may be entitled to compensation.
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Our Firm Is Standing By to Help
If you are concerned about the cost to hire a Los Angeles close proximity of multiple workers lawyer, you should not be. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means that when we represent a client in a personal injury case, we are only paid if we obtain compensation for the client.
According to California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years. Investigating the circumstances that led to a workplace accident and building a case can be a long and complex process. The sooner you contact us, the sooner our team will be able to get to work. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 529-9122.
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