Welding Accidents

On construction sites in Westchester County and beyond, welding is used to securely join steel beams, columns, and other structures that support a building. In this fabrication process, separate parts of metal or thermoplastics are joined together permanently by using heat and sometimes pressure.

Welders use tools that produce gas flames, electric arcs, and other hazards as part of their job. They are also surrounded by high heat and dangerous fumes. Each year, welders are seriously injured or even killed on the job. If you have been injured in a welding accident or have lost a close family member in this kind of construction site accident, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation. We can discuss whether you are eligible for compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we represent workers who have been seriously injured in welding accidents throughout Westchester County, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and the surrounding Hudson Valley counties, including Putnam, Dutchess, and Orange.

How Welding Accidents Happen on New York Construction Sites

Welders routinely face high-heat environments, flammable gases, exposed electrical current, and airborne toxins. When a site is poorly managed, these hazards can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death.

Common causes of welding accidents include:

  • Lack of protective equipment. Welders must be supplied with proper helmets, gloves, aprons, and respiratory gear. Missing or substandard PPE can lead to burns, eye injuries, and long-term respiratory damage.
  • Faulty or poorly maintained equipment. Damaged torches, leaking hoses, or defective regulators can ignite fires or explosions.
  • Inadequate ventilation. Welding in confined spaces or poorly ventilated areas can expose workers to toxic fumes, including manganese and hexavalent chromium.
  • Hot work near combustible materials. Welding too close to flammable debris, solvents, or gas lines can result in fires that engulf entire work areas.
  • Lack of fire watch or site supervision. Welding should never occur without proper oversight. Unfortunately, some job sites ignore this safety protocol.
  • Poor training. Welders must pass an exam to secure welding certification from the American Welding Society (AWS) to work in New York. Employers should also check to ensure that welders are qualified to do the work.

In the state of New York, even when an employer is liable for an injury, they may be protected from a lawsuit by workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits to injured workers in case of a workplace injury or illness. However, there are exceptions.

For example, if a construction site owner or other responsible party is in violation of the Industrial Code of New York State and a worker is injured because of the failure to provide “reasonable and adequate safety”, the injured worker may be able to file a claim. In addition, Section 200 of the New York State Labor Law mandates that owners, employers, and contractors are required to provide and maintain a “safe place to work” on construction sites. If they are in violation, injured workers may be able to seek compensation above what workers’ compensation offers. In some cases, faulty welding equipment or protective equipment can also be grounds for a claim against the manufacturer of the faulty product.

If you have a third-party claim or a claim that allows you to seek more compensation than what workers’ compensation offers, it can be important to pursue that claim. While workers’ compensation is meant to offer quick benefits to injured workers, it does not cover all your costs after a serious injury—and many welding accident injuries do tend to be serious. Workers’ compensation, for example, only covers about two-thirds of your average wage if you cannot work—up to a state-set cap. This may not be enough to cover all your bills. In addition, workers’ compensation will not compensate you for pain and suffering, incidental costs, and other expenses that a personal injury claim can compensate you for.

It may not be immediately clear whether you qualify for compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits, which is why it’s important to contact a welding accident lawyer as soon as possible after your construction site injury. An attorney can preserve evidence, investigate your accident, and explain all your options. If you do have a claim, your lawyer can help you pursue full compensation, so more of your losses are covered.

Injuries Associated with Welding Accidents

Welding injuries are rarely minor. In fact, many welders face lifelong medical complications that affect their ability to work or live independently because they may suffer from injuries such as:

  • Skin injuries. Burn injuries can range from first-degree to life-threatening third-degree burns, sometimes requiring grafting and long-term wound care. In addition, tiny pieces of metal can become embedded in the skin during welding and cause tissue damage.
  • Vision loss. Welding without adequate eye protection can result in “welder’s flash” or permanent retinal damage.
  • Lung damage. Welders are exposed to many toxic fumes and substances, including lead, asbestos, manganese, chromium, cadmium, and other substances. Chronic exposure, especially without a respirator, may cause metal fume fever, pulmonary fibrosis, or other conditions.
  • Brain injuries. A fall caused by a welding spark, electrical shock, or nearby explosion can result in traumatic brain injury.
  • Broken bones. Explosions, falls from scaffolding, or collapsing structures can easily lead to fractures that may require surgical repair.
  • Hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to high-decibel tools and sudden explosions can cause partial or complete hearing loss—something many injured workers don’t immediately realize.

It is important to always treat welding accidents seriously. Always get someone on the site to call 911 if you need emergency help. If you are not so seriously injured that you need emergency intervention, at least visit a doctor as soon as you can for a full medical evaluation.

Who Is Liable for a Welding Accident?

In many welding injury cases, responsibility may fall on more than one party. Property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, and site safety managers may all play a role in creating unsafe conditions. At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we thoroughly investigate each accident to determine liability and pursue claims against all responsible parties.

What Makes Welding Cases Unique?

Welding accident cases often involve complex physics and chemistry, which is why our firm regularly consults with independent experts in metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and other professionals. We also work with board-certified medical specialists and forensic accountants to fully document the scope of your injuries, lost earning capacity, and future care needs.

Additionally, many welding-related injuries are progressive—meaning their full extent isn’t always immediately apparent. For instance, long-term neurological damage from heavy metal exposure or repeated micro-explosions can take months or years to develop. It can be challenging to prove that your occupational illness was linked to exposure on a site years ago. In some cases, your employer or other liable parties may no longer be in business. At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, our team has experience with these challenges and knows what to do to help you seek any compensation you may qualify for.

Why Choose The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel?

With offices in White Plains and Peekskill, The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel has decades of experience representing seriously injured workers across Westchester County and beyond. We give each case the personal attention it deserves because we are selective about the cases we take on. This allows us to thoroughly investigate your case and carefully prepare a strong claim. Since we take on only select cases, we are also able to answer your emails and phone calls quickly. In fact, we always reply within 24 business hours and often on the same day when you reach out.

We charge no legal fee unless we obtain compensation on your behalf through verdict, mediation, or settlement. This allows you to pursue the compensation you deserve without worrying about taking on a big investment. We take on the risk for you.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a welding accident on a construction site, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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