New York City Welding Accident Lawyer

We Know Construction Accidents Inside and Out

For more than 40 years, our construction accident lawyers have made injury cases a core focus of our practice. Welding injuries are often linked to unsafe job sites, faulty safety equipment, or employers who fail to follow the law. We know how to spot violations of New York Labor Law and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards that others overlook. Our in-depth knowledge gives you an edge from day one.

We Secure Multi-Million Dollar Results

We don’t aim for quick settlements; we fight for full, maximum compensation. Our team of New York construction accident lawyers has won life-changing awards and verdicts for our clients, including a $19 million settlement for a worker struck by a falling steel beam and a $15 million verdict for a ladder fall. When insurance companies try to delay or deny what you’re owed, we fight back—hard.

We Battle the Bullies

Insurance companies aren’t in the business of being fair. They’ll try to delay your case, deny your claim, or pressure you into settling for far less than you deserve. At The Perecman Firm, we don’t let them push you around. We take the fight straight to them—challenging every excuse, rejecting every lowball offer, and forcing accountability from day one. You focus on healing. We’ll deal with the bullies.

We Build a Case That Can’t Be Ignored

From day one, we get to work collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with top medical and safety experts. We build an airtight case that proves liability and shows the full scope of your injuries, so no one can downplay what you’ve been through.

We Treat You Like a Person, Not a File

At The Perecman Firm, you’re not a case number. You’re someone who’s been hurt and needs real help. We return calls, explain the legal process clearly, and guide you through every step. You’ll always know where your case stands, and you’ll never feel left in the dark.

We Go the Distance

Whether your case ends in a settlement or a courtroom, we’re prepared to go all the way. Some firms avoid trial at all costs. We thrive there. If a full trial is what it takes to get justice, that’s exactly what we’ll do.

We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do

Hiring a lawyer shouldn’t add financial stress to an already difficult time. That’s why our welding accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us anything up front, and we only collect a fee if we win your case. It’s simple: we’re invested in your outcome, and we don’t succeed unless you do.

Key Takeaways About Welding Accidents in NYC

• Welding is one of the most hazardous jobs in the construction industry, involving risks like burns, toxic fumes, and electric shock.
• Common injuries include lung damage, nerve injuries, and disfigurement—all of which may require long-term care.
• Unsafe working conditions, faulty safety devices, and employer negligence are leading causes of welding injuries.
• New York Labor Law provides strong protections for construction workers, including the right to reasonable and adequate safety measures.
• Injured workers may qualify for workers’ compensation, third-party personal injury claims, or both.
• The deadline to file a workers' compensation claim is one year; personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the accident.

The Perecman Firm offers fierce legal representation to help NYC welders recover lost wages, medical expenses, and full compensation for serious injuries.

Common Welding Accidents on NYC Construction Sites

Welders working on high-rises in Midtown, subway tunnels in Queens, or scaffolding along the East River all face extreme job-site dangers. From hot slag flying off a joint to toxic gas buildup in a confined space, welding operations are fraught with risk, even for seasoned professionals. According to OSHA, welders account for one out of 250 construction accident fatalities and many more serious injuries.

What Makes Welding So Dangerous?

• Electricity and heat: Arc welding uses high-voltage currents that can cause instant electrocution if equipment is faulty.
• Toxic fumes: Welding in enclosed areas, like basements or elevator shafts, can lead to toxic inhalation injuries if proper ventilation isn’t used.
• UV radiation: Intense ultraviolet light from welding torches can cause skin damage and permanent eye injuries, including “welder’s flash.”
• Explosions and fire: Sparks can easily ignite flammable materials left lying around on poorly maintained sites.
• Falling objects: Welders working from ladders or lifts are vulnerable to falling tools, metal debris, and unstable platforms.

These risks are worsened when supervisors cut corners. like skipping safety checks or assigning untrained workers to complex welding jobs.

Life-Altering Injuries Caused by Welding Accidents in New York City

Welding accidents aren’t minor. The injuries are often catastrophic, leaving workers with lifelong limitations or permanent disability.

Some of the most common injuries we see include:

• Severe burns from molten metal, fire, or electrical arcs
• Lung damage from inhaling zinc, cadmium, and other hazardous fumes
• Spinal cord injuries from falls caused by collapsing scaffolding or unstable lifts
• Electrocution injuries including internal organ damage or cardiac arrest
• Loss of limbs or extremities due to explosions or machinery malfunction
• Eye damage and vision loss from unshielded UV exposure
• Permanent nerve damage or traumatic brain injuries from blast impact or falling debris

Each of these injuries can take a heavy emotional and financial toll, especially if your ability to work or care for your family is jeopardized.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Welding Injury?

If you’ve suffered welding-related injuries on the job, your first source of compensation will be workers’ compensation benefits.  However, depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to pursue multiple other forms of financial recovery.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Injured NYC Construction Workers

If you're a welder hurt on the job in New York City, your first path to financial relief often starts with a workers’ compensation claim. Under New York’s workers’ compensation system, most injured construction workers, including welders, are entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident. That means even if no one is directly at fault, you may still qualify for financial assistance.

These benefits are meant to cover basic needs, including:

• All necessary medical treatment related to your welding injuries, including surgery, hospital stays, medications, and rehabilitation
• Reimbursement for travel costs to and from doctor’s visits and physical therapy appointments within NYC
• Wage replacement benefits—a percentage of your lost wages if you're unable to return to work or can only work reduced hours in a different role

However, these workers’ comp benefits have limits. In many severe construction accidents, especially those involving electrocution injuries, traumatic burns, or permanent disability, workers’ comp may fall short of covering your long-term needs. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to pursue a construction accident claim against a negligent third party or property owner.

Third-Party Personal Injury Claims

If someone other than your employer contributed to your accident, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. This includes:

• Property owners who failed to maintain a safe construction site
• Equipment manufacturers responsible for defective welding tools and other equipment on the jobsite
• Contractors or subcontractors whose negligence caused unsafe conditions

A third-party claim allows you to recover:

• Full compensation for medical expenses and future care
• Lost income 
• Diminished earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional trauma and mental anguish

New York Labor Law Protections

New York has some of the strongest legal protections for construction workers in the country. One of the most important is Labor Law § 241(6), which requires contractors, property owners, and construction companies to provide reasonable and adequate protection to workers performing dangerous tasks like welding on job sites throughout NYC.

This includes providing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), maintaining safe work surfaces,

ensuring appropriate ventilation for welding operations, and following all applicable occupational safety regulations outlined in the New York Industrial Code and enforced by OSHA.

When these safety measures are ignored or corners are cut, workers can suffer debilitating injuries from fires, explosions, toxic fumes, or falls. In these cases, a labor law violation may give you grounds to pursue a construction accident claim even if workers’ comp benefits are already in place.

At The Perecman Firm, our welding accident attorneys know how to identify these violations, gather the right evidence, and use the law to hold negligent parties fully accountable. It’s not just about compensation; it’s about justice for what happened to you and preventing it from happening to someone else.

What to Do After a Welding Accident in New York City

If you've already sought medical care for your injuries, you're doing the right thing. Your health comes first, and every follow-up appointment, physical therapy session, and test helps you recover while also

documenting the full extent of your injuries. But medical care alone isn't enough to protect your financial future. 

There are other important steps you need to take to build a strong case and protect your legal rights:

• Hire a lawyer right away. A welding accident attorney can step in fast to protect your rights, gather evidence, and deal with your employer and the insurance companies. The sooner your lawyer starts building your construction accident case, the better your chances for full compensation.
• Keep up with all medical appointments and treatments. Skipping visits or ignoring your doctor’s recommendations can be used against you. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries aren’t serious or that you're not trying to get better.
• Write or record a daily journal. Record your pain levels, symptoms, emotional stress, and how your injuries impact your daily life. These personal accounts provide evidence in any construction accident lawsuit or personal injury claim.
• Notify your employer within 30 days. Under New York law, you must report your welding accident to your employer within 30 days to be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Don’t wait—verbal reports aren't enough. Submit it in writing if possible and keep a copy.
• Preserve evidence. Save your work boots, clothing, safety gear, or anything else damaged in the accident. Don’t throw anything away. These items may help prove what went wrong.
• Document the scene. If you’re able, take photos or video of the accident site, faulty welding equipment, or missing safety devices. If not, ask a coworker to help. Every detail can make a difference in a construction accident claim.

These steps can make or break your case. And remember: the longer you wait, the more evidence disappears, and the harder it becomes to hold negligent parties accountable. Talk to an experienced construction accident lawyer right away to protect your rights and your future.

Deadlines for Filing a Welding Accident Claim in New York

You don’t have unlimited time to act. Missing a filing deadline can jeopardize your entire case.

• Workers’ compensation: You must notify your employer within 30 days and file a formal claim within one year.
• Personal injury lawsuits: In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim.

Some exceptions apply, but they are rare. Talk to a lawyer immediately to protect your right to compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Welding Accidents

What is the deadline for filing a welding injury claim in New York?

You have 30 days to notify your employer of a workplace injury and one year to file a workers’ compensation claim. For third-party lawsuits, the deadline is three years from the date of the accident.

What if I was partly at fault for my welding accident?

New York follows a comparative negligence rule. You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

How much does it cost to hire a welding accident lawyer?

The Perecman Firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

What is "reasonable and adequate protection" under Labor Law?

It means your employer or contractor must provide proper safety equipment, ensure safe working conditions, and follow all applicable safety regulations. Failing to do so can make them legally responsible for your injuries.

What types of welding accidents qualify for compensation?

Burn injuries, electric shock, explosions, toxic fume exposure, and falls caused by unsafe work conditions or defective equipment may all qualify. A lawyer can help determine the best path for recovery.

Let Us Help You Reclaim Your Life After a NYC Welding Injury

You didn’t ask for this. You showed up to do your job, and now you’re left picking up the pieces. At The Perecman Firm, we help welders and construction workers across New York City fight for what’s fair.

We have the skill, experience, and resources to stand up to powerful construction companies, insurance providers, and negligent employers, and we use them all as leverage to pursue maximum compensation for you. From the Bronx to Brooklyn, Queens to Midtown, we’ve helped injured workers throughout NYC reclaim their lives after devastating accidents.

You’re not just a case to us. You’re a person who deserves justice, support, and real results.

Ready to speak with a NYC welding accident lawyer who puts you first? Call us at (212) 977-7033 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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