Welding and Worker's Compensation Pipes, vehicles, building frames, and more. There’s no a shortage of work for a qualified welder. Welding is one of the most sought after trades because of its good pay and relatively stable job options. Yet, despite the good pay and job security, what would you do if you were hurt on the job or made sick from your job environment? Have you saved any money for hard times? Many people don’t simply because of the high cost of living. Could you provide for yourself and your family? It’s a terrifying scenario that people face every day when they are hurt on the job. The good news is that there is a law in each state that requires more employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance at no cost to employees. If you are hurt or made sick on the job, you can get help with your medical expenses. How Workers’ Comp Helps Welders Workers’ comp helps welders just like you who are injured on the job. If you get hurt or if you get sick, you file a workers’ comp claim. This will provide money to pay your medical expenses. Let’s face it, we all know that doctors’ visits, medications, and medical procedures are extremely costly. Workers’ comp helps with that. It also helps you by paying out some of your lost wages while you are recovering. In extreme cases, workers’ comp can even pay for new job training. Risks Faced By Welders Think about all of the equipment that you use on the job as a welder. The most common injuries experienced by welders are burns. Burns may seem like a minor inconvenience, but they can be severe. Even a minor burn can get worse if you don’t get appropriate medical treatment to prevent infection. Welder’s flash is another feared injury. Can you risk losing your eye sight in any capacity? It would certainly put your livelihood at risk. Being exposed to the chemicals released when you’re welding can make you very, very sick. You could be diagnosed with nerve damage, lung problems, or even what is commonly known as Welders’ Parkinson’s disease. Hurt or Sick Because of Your Job as a Welder? If you’re hurt or sick because of your job as a welder, you may not know what to do. Regardless of whether you feel like you could have prevented your injury, you are entitled to workers’ comp. Follow these four steps to protect your legal rights: Let your supervisor know immediately about your injury. Don’t wait. This is important for two reasons: First, if it is caused by something that could injure another welder, such as faulty welding equipment, reporting the incident to your supervisor protects others. Second, it protects your legal rights. This is a very important step in getting workers’ comp. Fill out an accident report as soon as possible. Because you need to be as accurate as possible, you should complete it immediately. If you are burned or if you have an eye injury, call 911. The responding police officer will provide a report number. You can also pull a copy of that report from the police station. Get medical attention as soon as you can. You have the right to get emergency medical help if you need it. If you have a minor injury, you can see the doctor listed on the workers’ comp policy. You will not pay anything for that visit. You do have the right to see your own doctor. However, you’ll have to cover the cost. You can keep all of your receipts for reimbursement. Get in contact with a worker's comp attorney and make an appointment. It is important to have someone looking out for your best interest. Even the most supportive employer will look to settle the claim for as little as possible to stop their insurance premiums from going up. Never talk to an insurance adjuster on your own. Settling without an attorney could rob you of important legal rights and on getting the compensation that you deserve. Kotecki V. Cyclops Welding Corp. In Kotecki v. Cyclops Welding Corp., we learn the importance of having a good attorney if you are injured on the job as a welder. Mark Kotecki, a welder, was hurt on the job because of a faulty agitator. The law in his home state capped what he could collect through workers’ compensation. In addition to workers’ comp, Kotecki’s attorney filed a personal injury suit. Without the guidance of his attorney, Kotecki would not have received the compensation he deserved for his injury. Contact an Experienced Attorney If you’ve been injured or made sick on your job as a welder, you need to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights. Don’t wait. Make sure that you are treated fairly by your employer. Call a workers’ compensation attorney right away.
