Welding Accident Attorney in Boston

75+ Years of Combined Experience Fighting for Injured Boston Workers

Welding accidents produce some of the most serious injuries on Boston construction sites: severe burns, eye damage from ultraviolet radiation, toxic fume exposure, and electrocution. At Crowe & Harris, LLP, our construction-site injury practice covers the full range of welding accident claims, from employer negligence to product liability against equipment manufacturers. Michael J. Harris, whose listed areas of practice include construction site injuries, brings that experience directly to welding cases.

Injuries Common to Welding Accident Claims

The hazards of welding work are varied, and the injuries they cause often require long-term medical care. Understanding what went wrong is the first step toward identifying who is responsible.

• Burn injuries: Intense heat and hot metal splatter can cause deep tissue damage that may require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
• Welder’s flash: Ultraviolet radiation and the arc’s intense light can damage the corneas and surrounding skin, sometimes causing temporary blindness or lasting vision problems.
• Toxic fume exposure: Metal fumes and gases released during welding can cause respiratory illness and other serious health conditions when ventilation is inadequate.
• Electric shock and electrocution: Welding equipment carries significant electrical current, and faulty or poorly maintained gear raises the risk of severe injury.
• Fire and explosion: Welding near flammable materials or improperly stored gases can trigger fires and explosions that injure workers across an entire jobsite.

Contributing factors often include defective or poorly maintained welding equipment, unsafe storage of flammable materials near the welding area, and inadequate personal protective equipment or training.

How Massachusetts Law Applies to Welding Accident Claims

Massachusetts workers’ compensation law, under Chapter 152, is generally the sole remedy against a direct employer for a workplace injury. That means an injured welder typically can’t sue their employer in civil court. However, Chapter 152, Section 15 preserves the right to bring a separate claim against a negligent third party who isn’t the employer.

In welding cases, potentially liable third parties may include a general contractor who controlled site safety, a property owner who permitted unsafe conditions, or an equipment manufacturer whose product failed. A welding accident caused by a faulty welding rod, a malfunctioning helmet, or a defective regulator may support a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but it doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering. A third-party claim may recover those damages, depending on the facts.

Boston Welding Accident Filing Deadline

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2A, personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within three years of the date the cause of action accrues. For a welding accident, that date is typically the day of the injury, though toxic fume exposure cases may involve a discovery question. Missing the deadline can forfeit the right to pursue a third-party claim, so identifying all potentially responsible parties as early as possible matters.