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Shipyard workers are employed in a variety of jobs, including shipbuilding, ship repair, vessel maintenance, and shipbreaking. Welders are vital shipyard workers. However, they have a high risk of injury because of the nature of their jobs. In this blog, our Savannah workers’ compensation attorneys discuss welding injuries in Savannah’s shipbuilding industry, including how to file claims for welding injuries in Georgia.
Common Causes of Welding Injuries in Savannah Shipyards
Shipyard workers are exposed to numerous hazards and dangerous conditions on shipyards, including welding injuries. The molten metal, heat, ultraviolet light, and combustible materials create a dangerous work environment.
Common causes of welding injuries in the shipbuilding industry include:
- Burns from the ultraviolet radiation emitted during welding can burn exposed skin
- Gas and metal fume toxicity can irritate the eyes, throat, and nose. Long-term exposure could damage the nervous system, liver, and lungs. It can also increase the risk of some types of cancer.
- Electric shock when a welder touches two metal objects with voltage between them.
- Injuries from fires and explosions caused by welding accidents, including igniting flammable substances.
- Welder’s Flash or Arc Eye injuries (i.e., photokeratitis) from the intense flash of ultraviolet radiation from a welder’s torch.
Beyond the immediate injuries caused by welding accidents, welders often suffer from long-term impairments and harm. Welders who suffer from severe burns may have significant disfigurement and nerve damage. A shipyard welder may also sustain noise-induced hearing impairment.
Eye injuries from welding could result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Exposure to toxic fumes and gasses while welding can increase the risk of some types of cancer.
Permanent impairments caused by welding injuries impact your ability to work. Depending on the severity of the welding injuries, a welder may not be able to return to work, or they may be required to take another type of job making less money.
Filing Workers’ Compensation for Welding Injuries in Savannah, GA
Georgia workers’ compensation does not cover welders working in the shipbuilding industry in Savannah. Instead, maritime workers are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). The LHWCA covers longshoremen and other workers who do not qualify as seamen for benefits under the Jones Act.
The LHWCA is like workers’ compensation. It provides injured maritime workers benefits, including:
- Reasonable and necessary medical treatment
- Disability income if your injuries prevent you from working, including total permanent disability if you are unable to perform any job duties
- Vocational rehabilitation to help you transition into another type of job if necessary
- Death benefits if a welder dies because of their injuries
Just like state workers’ compensation, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act does not compensate a welder for pain and suffering (non-economic) damages. However, if a third party caused the welding accident, the welder may have a third party claim, which could result in additional compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Savannah Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Shipyard workers may sustain severe and life-threatening work injuries. Call Parsons Law Group to schedule a free case evaluation with a Savannah workers’ compensation attorney. We fight to obtain the compensation injured ship workers need and deserve.