Pursuing Compensation for Welding Accidents in Tampa
There is a strong demand for welders in Florida. In Tampa, the shipbuilding industry has a particularly high requirement for these skilled workers, and welders play a vital role in the local community. However, welding can also be an extremely dangerous career choice. Various accidents can lead to life-altering injuries, and you may have the right to pursue compensation if you experience these accidents yourself. To learn more, contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Tampa.
Common Welding Accidents
A particularly serious welding accident might involve an explosion. This can happen if the welding equipment ignites a flammable substance nearby the work area, such as acetylene, butane, or propane. Workers and safety supervisors must carefully make sure that no explosive or flammable substances are nearby welding projects.
These explosions can cause catastrophic or fatal accidents for welders. Since welders work with metal, explosions can cause metal shrapnel to fly through the air. This shrapnel can impact workers, causing disfiguring scars or fatal injuries. Even without the presence of flammable materials nearby, welding can still cause explosions in poorly ventilated areas.
Eye damage is also extremely common among welders. Welding equipment can cause intense light and radiation, and these factors can cause serious damage to the eyes. Even those who wear proper safety equipment could still be at risk for eye damage, especially if molten slag or metal impacts the facial area directly. The National Institutes of Health states that most electric/arc welders eventually experience eye injuries. 40% of gas welders also experience eye injuries at some point in their careers.
A workers’ compensation claim can provide financial support for those who experience eye injuries. As soon as you notice problems with your vision, you should see a medical professional and file a claim. Depending on the severity of your eye injuries, this could qualify as a disability under workers’ comp laws.
Can I Sue for a Welding Accident in Tampa?
A welding accident in Tampa generally leads to a workers’ comp claim, not a lawsuit. This is because employees cannot sue their employers directly. Instead, they must file workers’ compensation claims. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as workers’ comp can cover your lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.
In some cases, injured welders may be able to file lawsuits. This might be possible in cases involving gross recklessness, or mistakes that verge on criminal behavior in their seriousness. In addition, you could sue a third-party contractor who caused your accident.
Can a Tampa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me?
A Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help after a welding accident. These legal professionals understand how dangerous this trade can be, and they can fight on your behalf for the financial support you need. Whether you’re struggling with vision loss or you experienced catastrophic injuries during an explosion, workers’ comp is a viable source of financial security. To learn more, contact The Franco Law Firm today.
Sources:
blog.red-d-arc.com/welding-shipbuilding-projects/
osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=146989.015
