Welding Accident Attorney in Laredo
Trial-Ready Representation for Injured Welders in South Texas
Welding accidents can leave workers with severe burns, permanent vision damage, long-term respiratory disease, or worse. At Cardenas & Rodriguez, we handle welding accident injury claims for workers in Laredo and throughout Texas, and we prepare every case for trial from day one. Whether you’re in construction, oilfield services, trailer and truck repair, or industrial maintenance, you deserve an attorney who won’t settle for less than your claim may be worth.
Injured welders face real pressure. Employers and insurers move quickly to contain costs, and early settlement offers rarely reflect the full value of a serious injury. We push back on that pressure with the same strategic approach Attorney Norberto Cardenas III developed as a Prosecutor in Webb County, Texas. We’re ready to bring your case before a jury if that’s what it takes.
We offer free initial consultations with no obligation, and we work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you owe us no legal fees unless we recover on your behalf. Call our welding accident attorneys in Laredo today at (956) 450-7951 to get started.
Why Laredo Workers Choose Cardenas & Rodriguez
Attorney Cardenas graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts. Attorney Rowena G. Rodriguez-Medina graduated from the Texas Tech University School of Law. Both attorneys were educated and trained in Texas, and both provide counsel and communication in Spanish, which matters in a border community where workers on either side of the U.S./Mexico border may need legal help after a serious job-site injury.
Our team also includes a skilled legal assistant and office manager who help move cases forward efficiently. We’re based in Laredo and serve clients throughout the state of Texas.
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“It was a very hard case and our lawyer Norberto fought for us. Knowledge and professionalism.”- Guizelda M.
Welding Injuries & Your Legal Options in Texas
Common Welding Injuries
Welding is among the most hazardous trades in construction and industrial work, and the injuries aren’t always immediate. Some conditions don’t fully appear for years after the exposure that caused them.
Common injuries in welding accident cases include:
- Thermal burns: Contact with hot metal, molten slag, or open arc flames can cause severe burns requiring skin grafts and extended rehabilitation
- Arc eye (photokeratitis) and retinal damage: Ultraviolet radiation from welding arcs causes acute eye injury when proper eye protection is absent or inadequate
- Electrocution and electrical shock: Defective wiring, damaged cables, or poorly maintained equipment can deliver life-threatening current
- Respiratory and neurological disease: Inhaling fumes containing manganese, hexavalent chromium, or other toxic metals can cause permanent lung damage or manganism, a neurological condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, including tremors, slowed movement, and difficulty walking
- Explosion and fire injuries: Improper storage of flammable materials near hot work, failed gas cylinders, or inadequate ventilation in confined spaces
Many of these injuries trace back to inadequate personal protective equipment, defective or poorly maintained welding machines, lack of a proper fire watch, or employer pressure to skip safety steps. OSHA sets enforceable standards for welding operations under 29 CFR 1910.252, covering protective gear, ventilation, and equipment maintenance.
Who Can Be Held Liable
Texas is the only state that doesn’t require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may file a direct negligence claim against them. If your employer does carry workers’ comp coverage, it pays approved medical costs and replaces a portion of lost wages, but it generally bars a direct lawsuit against that employer and doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering.
That’s where third-party claims become critical. Under Texas Labor Code Chapter 417, you can pursue a separate personal injury lawsuit against any third party whose negligence contributed to your accident, even while a workers’ comp claim is active.
Potentially liable third parties in welding accident cases include:
- General contractors and subcontractors who controlled the work site
- Equipment manufacturers if a defective welding machine caused or contributed to the injury
- Property owners who failed to disclose or remedy known hazards on their premises
- Staffing companies and drilling operators who shared responsibility for safety
A third-party claim can recover damages that workers’ comp doesn’t cover, including pain and suffering, disfigurement, and full lost earning capacity. Multiple parties can share liability on the same job, and identifying all of them is a core part of how we build a welding accident case.
Compensation & Deadlines for Welding Accident Claims
A welding accident claim in Texas can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover past and future medical expenses, emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, lost wages during recovery, and reduced earning capacity if the injury prevents you from returning to welding or similar work. Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, emotional distress, physical disfigurement or scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life. In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim covering funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages as long as your share of fault doesn’t exceed 50 percent, with compensation reduced proportionally. Deadlines matter, too. Texas law sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from the date of injury. Workers’ compensation injuries must be reported to your employer within 30 days, and a formal claim must be filed with the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation within one year. For fume-related occupational disease, the clock may start when the condition was or should have been discovered rather than on the date of exposure.
Talk to a Welding Accident Lawyer in Laredo for Free
If you or a family member has been hurt in a welding accident, don’t sign anything or give a recorded statement before speaking with us. Cardenas & Rodriguez offers free initial consultations with no obligation, handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, and provides counsel in Spanish. We’re based in Laredo and represent clients throughout Texas.
Contact our welding accident lawyers today at (956) 450-7951. The consultation is free, and you owe us no legal fees unless we recover on your behalf.
Why Work With Us?
You deserve clear counsel and unwavering support. We build every strategy with your best interests at the center.
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Every Case Prepared for TrialFrom beginning to end, we always help our clients prepare to win.
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Laredo, TX 78045 Map & Directions