Welding Accident Attorney Conway
Legal Help For Injured Welders & Metalworkers
A welding accident at work can turn your life upside down in seconds. One moment you are focused on your job, the next you may be dealing with serious burns, eye damage, breathing problems, or injuries from a slip and fall, and you may not be able to return to work right away. If you were hurt while welding in Conway or the surrounding area, a severe burn injury or a sudden accident can leave you worried about medical bills, lost income, and what your future looks like.
At , we help injured workers and families across Horry County and nearby communities understand their rights after a workplace welding accident. Our firm has been serving this region since 2005, and attorney Jeff Johnson has practiced law since 1999. We focus on personal injury and workers' compensation matters, and we work to guide clients through the confusion that follows a serious work-related injury.
Don’t face the burden of medical bills and lost wages alone after a workplace injury. Call (843) 202-4776 today for a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected and your future is secure.
Why Injured Welders Turn To Our Firm For Help
If you’ve been injured in a welding or construction accident in Conway, you may be entitled to more than just South Carolina workers' compensation, which covers medical bills and partial wages but excludes pain and suffering. Because these sites often involve multiple subcontractors and equipment providers, you might also have a "third-party" personal injury claim if a defective tool or another company's negligence caused the incident. Given that specialty trades like welding account for a high percentage of site fatalities, it is vital to act quickly, you generally have 90 days to report the injury to your employer and two years to file a formal workers' comp claim (or three years for a third-party lawsuit) to ensure you receive the full financial recovery you deserve.
The Serious Impact Of Welding Accidents On Your Life & Work
Welding is skilled, physical work. It involves intense heat, sparks, bright light, fumes, electrical current, and often working at heights or in tight spaces. When something goes wrong, the injuries can be severe. Many welders in and around Conway rely on this work to support their families, so the impact of an accident reaches far beyond the job site.
Common injuries from workplace welding accidents can include deep burns, damaged skin and tissue, and scarring that may require ongoing care. Eye injuries from arc flash or flying debris can threaten your vision or cause chronic pain. Some welders develop respiratory problems after inhaling fumes or smoke, especially in areas with poor ventilation. Others are injured in falls from ladders or platforms, or suffer electrical injuries if equipment is not grounded or maintained properly.
What To Do After A Welding Accident At Work
The hours and days after a welding accident can feel chaotic. Taking a few key steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights. Every situation is different, but some general actions injured workers in South Carolina often find helpful.
After a welding accident, consider these important steps:
- Seek immediate medical care for burns, eye injuries, breathing issues, or any serious symptoms, and follow the treatment plan your doctor recommends.
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as you can, preferably in writing, and keep a copy of what you submit.
- Document the scene when it is safe to do so, including photos of the work area, equipment, and safety gear, and note the names of any coworkers who witnessed the incident.
- Be cautious about detailed recorded statements to insurance adjusters until you understand your rights and have spoken with an attorney.
- Reach out to a law firm with experience helping injured workers so you can discuss how workers' compensation in South Carolina may apply to your case.
How A Welding Accident Lawyer Conway Can Help You Move Forward
Handling a serious welding injury on your own can be exhausting, especially while you are trying to heal. A welding accident attorney in Conway can guide you through the legal process and help you focus on recovery. Workers' compensation in South Carolina is intended to cover reasonable medical treatment related to your work injury and a portion of your lost wages if you cannot work. We help clients file claims, respond to questions from insurance adjusters, and address disputes when benefits are delayed, reduced, or denied. Our goal is to make sure the paperwork, deadlines, and hearings are not something you have to face alone.
In some cases, there may also be claims beyond workers' compensation, such as when defective welding equipment malfunctions or another company on the site created a hazard. We review the facts carefully and, when the law allows, we explore whether additional claims may provide more complete compensation. These situations are very fact-specific, so we talk through what happened in detail before advising you about options.
Who May Be Responsible For A Welding Accident Injury
In South Carolina, workplace injuries like welding accidents are often handled through the workers' compensation system. Your employer and its insurance carrier usually handle the claim, which can cover medical care and a portion of lost wages. You generally do not need to prove that your employer did anything wrong to receive these benefits.
Unsafe practices at the job site can include inadequate training, worn or damaged protective gear, poor ventilation that concentrates fumes, lack of fall protection on platforms, or failure to maintain electrical systems. Each of these issues can increase the risk of a serious injury. Our firm reviews the situation with you, looks at how the accident occurred, and then explains what types of claims may be possible under South Carolina law.
Welding Injuries, Workers' Compensation, & Long Term Planning In South Carolina
Some welding injuries heal with time and treatment, and workers are able to return to their previous jobs. Others have long term effects that change what kind of work a person can safely do. When injuries are more serious, planning for the future becomes just as important as handling the immediate claim.
Workers' compensation is designed to pay for medical care that is reasonably necessary for your work injury and to provide wage benefits while you are unable to work or while you are on restricted duties. Serious burns, vision loss, chronic lung disease, or orthopedic damage can require ongoing treatment or limit your ability to return to full duty as a welder. In these situations, there may be discussions about permanent impairment and how that affects your benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do If My Employer Downplays My Welding Injury?
If your employer downplays your welding injury, you should still take it seriously and protect yourself. Report the injury in writing, even if a supervisor suggests that it is minor or asks you to just use your own insurance. Include the date, time, and how it happened, and keep a copy for your records. Seek medical care and follow the doctor's recommendations, because your health and accurate documentation are both important. If you feel pressured not to report, or if your report is ignored, you can contact our firm so we can review the situation and talk about how South Carolina workers' compensation law may protect you.
Can I Get Workers' Compensation For A Welding Injury In South Carolina?
Many employees in South Carolina are covered by workers' compensation for injuries that occur while they are performing their job duties, including welding. If you are eligible, workers' compensation can provide medical treatment related to your injury and wage benefits if you cannot work for a period of time or if you are placed on restricted duty. Whether you qualify depends on factors such as your employment status, how the injury happened, and whether proper notice was given.
Will I Work Directly With Attorney Jeff Johnson On My Case?
Yes, when you hire our firm, you work directly with attorney Jeff Johnson. From your initial meeting forward, Jeff takes the lead on your case rather than handing you off to a chain of unfamiliar lawyers. Our team supports his work, but you can expect Jeff to be the attorney who explains your options, prepares you for hearings, and answers your legal questions.
How Long Does A Welding Accident Claim Usually Take?
The length of a welding accident claim can vary based on several factors, such as how serious your injuries are, how long your medical treatment lasts, and whether the insurance company disputes any part of your claim. Some workers' compensation claims resolve relatively quickly when injuries are straightforward and the insurer accepts responsibility. Other claims take longer, especially if there are disputes about how the accident happened, what treatment is necessary, or whether you can return to your old job. When we represent you, we discuss likely timelines based on our experience with similar cases in this region, and we work to keep you informed as your claim moves forward.
What If My Welding Injury Keeps Me From Going Back To My Old Job?
If your welding injury keeps you from returning to your old job, it is important to talk about both your medical limitations and your legal options. Workers' compensation may provide benefits for permanent impairment or restrictions that affect your ability to work in the same way as before. In some cases, there may be discussions about changing roles, retraining, or seeking other types of work that fit your abilities. If your condition is severe enough that you cannot engage in substantial gainful employment, you may also want to explore Social Security Disability. Because our firm handles both workers' compensation and disability matters, we can talk with you about how these systems may interact and what steps make sense in your situation.
Do I Have A Case If A Defective Welding Machine Caused My Accident?
You may have a separate claim if a defective welding machine or piece of safety equipment contributed to your accident, in addition to a workers' compensation claim. These cases, often called product liability claims, usually depend on whether the equipment was designed, manufactured, or sold in an unreasonably unsafe way and whether that defect played a role in your injury. It can be difficult to tell on your own if a machine was defective or simply worn out from use. We can review the details, look at how the equipment was being used, and talk with you about whether it makes sense to investigate a potential claim against the manufacturer or another company involved with the product.
How Soon Should I Contact A Welding Accident Lawyer After Getting Hurt?
It is usually a good idea to contact a welding accident attorney as soon as you have taken care of your immediate medical needs and reported the injury to your employer. Early legal guidance can help you avoid mistakes, such as missing deadlines, signing forms you do not fully understand, or returning to unsafe work conditions too quickly. The sooner we talk, the easier it is to preserve important evidence and to document how your injuries affect your work and daily life. If you are still in the hospital or at home recovering, you or a family member can reach out to us, and we can explain the next steps at a pace that fits your situation.
Talk With A Local Welding Accident Lawyer Conway Today
If you are recovering from a welding accident, you do not have to figure everything out on your own. A conversation with an experienced local attorney can help you understand your rights, your options, and what to expect from the workers' compensation system and any other claims that may apply. At Jeff Johnson Law, we serve injured workers in Conway and throughout Horry County and nearby communities, and we work to provide personal guidance throughout the process.
When you contact us, you speak directly with attorney Jeff Johnson, who brings decades of legal experience and a commitment to treating clients like family. We listen carefully to what happened, review your situation, and explain practical next steps in clear language. Reaching out is often the first step toward protecting your health, your income, and your family's stability after a serious welding injury.
To talk with a welding accident attorney about your situation, call (843) 202-4776 today.
Client Testimonials
Hear Directly From The Clients We've Helped
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"I would highly recommend."Desiree was incredible to communicate with and she and Atty. Johnson answered all my questions and concerns I had with my medical bills, with treatments and finally in the settlement discussions.- Diane C.
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"10 out of 10"I definitely recommend, they do an amazing job and treat you like family.- Ann L.
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"I couldn’t be more pleased and I highly recommend!"Jeff Johnson and his stellar ensemble of professionals took my case and delivered the desired results.- Stacey B.
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"I would recommend this law firm to anyone that needs a great standup attorney."Several Years ago my husband was in a terrible accident and we called Jeff Johnson . He is very knowledgeable about the law, trustworthy, honest, likeable, and tells you the truth.- Former Client
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"Thanks, Jeff!"Jeff's honesty makes him above the rest. I feel he gives everything his best.- Jody C.
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"My experience at Jeff Johnson was amazing."I would highly recommend them. The staff was very professional and treated me like if I were a family member. They help me through one of the most difficult times in my life. Thank you so much.- Karen S
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"Would recommend to anyone."Jeff helped us with a very lengthy case and he was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, patient and gave us the best advice.- Carrie C.
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"Very reliable team."Mrs. Jeanne is awesome. I've had a chance to meet the whole staff, very loving and caring staff.- Raymond S.