On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | February 20, 2024 | Workers' Compensation
More than 560,000 welding accidents take place each year. Welding poses severe risks to an individual’s well-being. Exposure to toxic fumes can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat, along with other health complications.
Even taking proper precautions, injuries from welding accidents are common. If you have been injured on the job or are suffering from an occupational-related illness, we want to hear from you. Our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorneys will be able to ensure that you are receiving the entirety of your workers’ compensation benefits.
Injuries and Illnesses Associated with Welding Accidents
Welding is the process of fusing two or more materials using heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure.
Common injuries and illnesses due to welding accidents include:
Burns and Skin Effects
Welding equipment emits heat and sparks that burn unprotected skin. You will also be exposed to UV radiation, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Since nickel and chromium are released during welding, this can cause contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin gets inflamed, causing an itchy rash.
Electric Shock
If you ineffectively ground a machine, are operating in wet conditions, or if your hands or any body part create a connection between the welding electrode and the welding return of the welding equipment, you are at risk for electric shock.
Symptoms of electric shock may include an erratic pulse, loss of consciousness, burns, and even cardiac arrest.
Respiratory complications
The metals that you may work with in welding may release toxic fumes into the atmosphere that are dangerous if you breathe them in. Welders are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Welder’s lung (type of pneumoconiosis), and asphyxiation.
Vision impairment
The welding process involves cutting scraps of metal. These metal scrapes can fly into your eye, causing severe eye damage. Most commonly, welders experience arc-eye, which is an acute injury to the cornea. The main symptoms of arc-eye include the eye becoming painful and red a few hours after the incident.
Ocular melanoma, a rare type of eye cancer, is commonly associated with welding. The cancer is caused by the ultraviolet radiation that is generated by the welding process.
Neurological Effects
Welders who are exposed to the manganese in mild steel fumes may develop Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease may cause balance issues, stiffness, trouble moving, speech problems, and tremors.
Florida Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation is provided by most employers in the state of Florida. Welders may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they suffer from a job-related injury or if they develop an illness related to consistent exposure to toxins or other substances.
In Florida, wage benefits will depend on your disability. Most commonly, workers file for temporary total disability, in which they cannot work for a temporary period (benefit is limited to two years). Under temporary total disability, you can expect to receive 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage.
Workers’ compensation will pay the entirety of your medical expenses, including:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Emergency room visits
- Physical therapy
- Hospital stays
- Medications
Speak with a Port St. Lucie Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Although a rewarding career, the risk of getting injured while welding is extremely high. If you have been injured while welding, you need a Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney who can ensure that you receive the full extent of workers’ compensation benefits. Contact us today online or by calling 561-478-2500 to schedule your free consultation.