Welding Accident Attorney
Legal Help When A Welding Injury Changes Your Life
Welding work involves heat, electricity, fumes, and heavy materials. When something goes wrong, a welding accident can cause burns, vision loss, breathing problems, or other injuries that disrupt your ability to work and care for your family. If you were hurt while welding in Asheville or elsewhere in Western North Carolina, our team at Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C. is here to help you understand your options.
We have spent decades representing injured people and families after serious incidents on job sites, in industrial facilities, and in other hazardous environments. We know that you may be facing mounting medical bills, time away from work, and pressure from your employer or an insurance company to make quick decisions.
Our founding attorney has over 30 years of experience in personal injury, and our team brings more than 85 years of combined knowledge to every case we handle. When you contact us after a welding accident, you can speak with a firm that understands both the realities of industrial work and the tactics insurers often use to limit their liability.
Don't let medical bills and insurance pressure overwhelm you while you focus on recovery. Contact Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C. today for a free consultation to ensure your rights and your family’s future are protected.
Why Injured Welders Turn To Our Firm For Help
When you are dealing with a serious welding injury, you need more than a name from a list. You need a legal team that understands how these accidents happen, what your medical future may look like, and how to deal with the companies on the other side. At Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., we have spent decades representing individuals and families in complex injury cases, including incidents that occur in industrial and construction settings.
Our firm was founded by John C. Hensley Jr., who began his career representing insurance companies. That background gives us insight into how insurers review welding injury claims, what they look for when trying to deny or reduce payouts, and how they approach settlement negotiations. We now use that knowledge for the benefit of injured workers and their families, not for corporations.
We also make a deliberate choice about who we serve. We represent individuals only, not businesses or insurance carriers. When you come to us after a welding accident, you will not have to worry that we are also trying to keep an employer, manufacturer, or contractor happy. Our focus is on your recovery, your financial stability, and your long-term well-being.
Common Welding Accidents & Injuries We See
Welders and metalworkers face a range of hazards every day. Knowing that your lawyer understands these risks can make it easier to trust that they appreciate what you are going through. In our work with injured clients, we see welding accidents that occur in fabrication shops, construction sites, repair facilities, and industrial plants.
Some incidents involve flash fires when flammable materials or fumes ignite during cutting or welding. Others occur when gas cylinders or fuel sources are not stored or handled safely, creating an explosion risk. We also see injuries from electrical shock, especially when equipment is poorly maintained or used in wet or cramped conditions, and falls from ladders or platforms when welders are working at height.
The injuries from these events are often severe. Clients come to us with deep burn injuries that require grafts, scarring that affects mobility, and arc eye injuries that threaten vision. We also see hand and arm trauma, hearing loss, and damage from inhaling fumes or smoke that can lead to ongoing breathing difficulties. These work-related injuries may keep you away from work for months or make it hard to return to the same kind of job. In many cases, a welding accident is initially handled through workers' compensation. However, if defective equipment, unsafe safety gear, or the careless actions of another company on the site played a role in these work accidents, there may be additional claims to consider.
Who May Be Responsible For A Welding Injury
An employer may be responsible for unsafe work practices, lack of proper training, or inadequate protective equipment. General contractors and subcontractors control scheduling, workflow, and parts of the job site where welders work, and their decisions can lead to crowded workspaces, unprotected openings, or improper coordination with other trades. Property owners may be involved when hazards on the premises contribute to the accident.
Equipment manufacturers can also play a role. A defect in a welding machine, gas regulator, protective hood, respirator, or harness can create risks that no amount of care by a worker can fully avoid. In those situations, a product liability claim may be appropriate. There may also be responsibility on the part of companies that service or maintain welding equipment if they fail to identify or correct dangerous issues.
Steps To Take After A Welding Accident
Right after a welding accident, it can be hard to think beyond the pain and confusion of the moment. Still, certain steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights. Even if some time has already passed, focusing on the basics can still make a difference.
- Prioritize Your Health & Document Treatment
Your priority should be medical care. Seek emergency treatment if needed, especially for burns, eye pain, breathing trouble, or signs of electrical shock. Follow up with your doctor or a specialist, and be honest about every symptom you notice, even if it seems minor. Some conditions, such as inhalation injuries or eye damage, may worsen over time.
- Report The Accident & Preserve Evidence
Reporting the incident is also important. Make sure your employer or supervisor knows exactly what happened and where. Ask that an incident report be created, and provide accurate information, but avoid speculating about fault. If possible, keep a copy of anything you sign and make a note of the date and who you spoke with.
When it is safe to do so, preserving evidence can help later. This may include keeping damaged tools or safety gear, taking photographs of the work area and your injuries, and writing down the names of any coworkers who saw what occurred. If an insurance adjuster or company representative asks for a detailed recorded statement or pushes documents in front of you, you have the right to take your time and get legal advice first. Contacting a lawyer early allows us to guide you through these conversations so that you do not unintentionally harm your claim.
How Our Attorneys Approach Welding Accident Cases
Every welding injury story is different, and we take the time to listen carefully when you contact us. During an initial conversation, we ask about how the accident happened, the work you were doing that day, the equipment involved, and how your injuries are affecting your daily life.
Because our founding attorney spent part of his career on the insurance side, we understand how insurers evaluate welding injury cases. We know that they often focus on gaps in treatment, preexisting conditions, or suggestions that a worker did not follow procedures. Our role as a welding accident lawyer is to anticipate these arguments and build responses that are grounded in the facts and the medical record.
Serving Injured Welders In Asheville & Across North Carolina
Welding work in and around Asheville takes many forms. Some of our clients work on construction projects where new buildings and infrastructure are going up. Others are employed in fabrication or repair shops, or in industrial facilities throughout Western North Carolina, where equipment and structures must be maintained under demanding conditions. Each environment has its own safety challenges, and we are familiar with how those conditions can lead to serious injury.
When a welding accident occurs, injured workers in this area are often treated at hospitals and clinics that handle burns, orthopedic injuries, and respiratory problems. Our familiarity with regional medical providers helps us gather records efficiently and understand the treatment paths our clients are likely to follow. We also handle cases within the North Carolina court system, which is important for claims that go beyond workers' compensation.
Because we are based here, it is easier for clients to meet with us in person when that is helpful. We can schedule in-office meetings, phone calls, or virtual conferences, depending on what works best for you and your recovery. Whether your welding accident happened in Asheville or elsewhere in the state, our attorneys are prepared to guide you through the legal process and work to protect your interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have A Case Beyond Workers' Comp For My Welding Injury?
You may have additional claims beyond workers' compensation, depending on how your welding accident happened. Workers' compensation typically covers medical care and a portion of lost wages when you are hurt on the job, but it usually limits your ability to sue your employer. However, if a third party such as an equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another contractor contributed to the accident, there may be grounds for a separate personal injury or product liability claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Your Firm After A Welding Accident?
We know that cost is one of the biggest concerns for people who have been injured and are already facing lost income and medical bills. At Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., we offer free initial consultations, so you can talk with us about your welding accident and your questions without paying anything upfront. If we accept your case, we typically work on a contingency fee basis.
What Should I Do If My Employer Is Pressuring Me After The Accident?
If your employer is pressuring you after a welding accident, for example to return to work before you feel ready, to sign documents quickly, or to avoid reporting the injury, it is important to protect yourself. You have the right to accurate reporting of your injury and to seek medical care that reflects your needs. You also have the right to ask questions about any form put in front of you, and to take time to read it before signing.
How Will Your Attorneys Handle My Welding Accident Case?
When you contact us about a welding injury, we start by listening. We want to understand what happened, what kind of work you were doing, the equipment involved, and how your injuries are affecting your daily life. From there, we gather and review medical records, incident reports, photographs, and any other available evidence to build a clear picture of the accident and its impact.
Our attorneys then evaluate which parties may be responsible and what types of claims may be available. Drawing on our experience, including our understanding of insurance company strategies, we work to value your case in a way that reflects both your current losses and likely future needs. We handle communication and negotiation with insurers and opposing parties, and if a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are prepared to present your case in court. Throughout, we keep you updated and explain each stage of the process in straightforward terms.
Can I Still Have A Claim If I Think I Made A Mistake At Work?
It is common for injured workers to worry that a momentary mistake on their part means they cannot pursue a claim. In reality, fault in welding accidents is often shared and complex. Even if you believe you did something wrong, there may still have been unsafe conditions, defective equipment, or inadequate training that contributed to what happened.
How Long Do Welding Accident Cases Usually Take To Resolve?
The time it takes to resolve a welding accident case can vary, and it depends on several factors. These include the severity of your injuries, how long it takes you to reach a point of maximum medical improvement, the number of parties involved, and how willing insurers are to negotiate in good faith. Some claims can be settled in a matter of months, while others may take longer, especially if a lawsuit is filed and the case moves through the court system.
Will I Be Able To Talk Directly With Someone About My Injuries?
Yes. We believe that meaningful legal representation starts with listening. When you reach out to us after a welding accident, you will have an opportunity to discuss your injuries, your concerns, and your goals with our team. We know that no two cases are the same, and we want to understand how your injury has changed your daily life, your work, and your plans for the future.
Talk With Our Welding Accident Lawyer Asheville Team
Choosing to reach out to a lawyer after a welding accident can feel like a big step, especially when you are already dealing with pain, appointments, and financial stress. Our attorneys at Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C. are here to make that step easier. We bring decades of personal injury experience, deep knowledge of how insurers handle serious injury claims, and a commitment to representing individuals, not corporations.
When you contact our welding accident lawyer Asheville team, you can ask questions, share what happened, and learn about your options in a free consultation. If we take your case, you do not pay upfront attorney fees, and our payment comes from a recovery if one is obtained. We work to shoulder the legal burden so that you can focus on healing and on your family.
To speak with an attorney about your welding injury, call (828) 383-8414 today.