Welding Accident Lawyers In Rockford

Legal Help After A Serious Welding Injury in Winnebago County

Welding work keeps factories, construction sites, and shops running, but one mistake or unsafe condition can change your life in seconds. Burns, eye damage, falls, and explosions can leave you unable to work and unsure how you will support your family. If you are looking for a welding accident attorney in Rockford, you may already be feeling overwhelmed.

At DeRango & Cain, LLC, we understand how stressful a sudden work injury can be. You might be in pain, missing paychecks, and getting calls from your employer or the insurance company. Our Rockford-based team guides injured welders and their families through these situations with clear advice and strong advocacy.

We offer free case evaluations for injury matters, and for welding and other construction injury cases, we work on a contingency fee schedule. This means you do not owe legal fees unless we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. Our goal is to reduce your stress, explain your options, and help you make informed decisions about your future.

Injured on the job? Contact a welding accident attorney in Rockford who knows how to hold negligent parties accountable. DeRango & Cain, LLC offers a free consultation to discuss your rights and potential compensation. Call (815) 216-5911 or reach out online today.

Understanding Welding Accident Laws in Illinois

In Illinois, the legal path following a welding accident is often two-pronged. Navigating these paths requires a Rockford welding accident lawyer who can identify all potential sources of recovery.

Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury

Most people assume that if they are injured while welding, their only option is Workers' Compensation. While Illinois law (820 ILCS 305/) generally provides "no-fault" benefits for medical bills and a portion of lost wages, these benefits are often insufficient for a catastrophic injury.

• The Employer Bar: Generally, you cannot sue your direct employer for a welding accident; you must go through Workers' Comp.
• Third-Party Liability: If your accident was caused by someone other than your employer or a co-worker, you can file a separate personal injury lawsuit. This allows you to seek damages not covered by Workers' Comp, such as full lost future earnings and pain and suffering.

Who May Be Liable For A Welding Injury

Depending on the circumstances, a welding injury might involve responsibility beyond your direct employer. Manufacturers of welding machines, cables, helmets, or safety gear may be accountable when defective products fail and cause harm. General contractors or property owners can play a role when they control the job site and allow unsafe practices or hazards to continue.

On busy industrial sites in and around Rockford, multiple companies often work side by side. A subcontractor might create a dangerous condition by storing flammable materials improperly. Another trade might remove guards or disable safety devices to save time. These choices can increase the risk of fires, falls, and other accidents that injure welders.

Sorting out who may be liable usually requires a careful investigation. Our attorneys review incident reports, maintenance records, training materials, and safety policies, and when appropriate, we consult with qualified professionals who understand industrial standards. Our broad experience across personal injury, insurance disputes, and complex litigation helps us evaluate whether a third-party injury claim may exist in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits.

Common Welding Accidents & Injuries in Rockford

Welding accidents in Rockford commonly occur in manufacturing, fabrication, repair, and construction settings, where fast-paced work and high production demands increase risk. Accidents often result from ignored safety protocols, poorly maintained equipment, fires or explosions near flammable materials, working at heights without proper fall protection, electrical shocks, toxic fume exposure, or failures in protective gear.

These incidents can cause severe injuries requiring long-term care, including deep burns, eye damage such as arc eye or permanent vision loss, respiratory problems, and orthopedic injuries from falls or falling objects. Head and spinal injuries are also possible when welders are struck or fall from elevated platforms, making safety precautions essential in all welding environments.

Examples of welding accidents we commonly see include:

• Flash fires or explosions that cause burn injuries and scarring.
• Falls from ladders, lifts, or scaffolding when harnesses or railings are missing.
• Electric shock incidents involving damaged cables or improperly grounded equipment.
• Eye damage from inadequate shields or failed helmets.
• Fume exposure in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation or respirators.

These injuries can keep you off the job for weeks, months, or longer, and some welders cannot safely return to the same kind of work. Medical bills, therapy, and reduced earning ability can place a heavy burden on your entire household. Part of our role is to help you understand how the law may address both your immediate costs and your future needs.

Damages that Can Be Recovered in a Welding Accident Claim

While "penalties" in civil law aren't jail time, they are significant financial judgments designed to make the victim whole. If a third party is found negligent in a welding accident, they may be ordered to pay:

• Economic Damages: This includes all past and future medical expenses (surgeries, physical therapy, specialized burn care) and 100% of your lost wages and benefits.
• Non-Economic Damages: This is often the largest part of a claim, covering pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of "consortium" (the impact on your relationship with your spouse).
• Punitive Damages: In cases of "willful and wanton" disregard for safety, an Illinois court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter others from similar conduct.

Why Injured Welders Choose Our Firm

Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined experience to every case we handle, including serious injury claims that involve multiple parties and complicated facts. 

Our team includes a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and several attorneys who have been peer-selected by Leading Lawyers. Senior member attorney Christopher A. DeRango is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and handles complex litigation and appellate matters, which can be important if your case raises complicated legal issues.

We are not afraid to take on challenging cases or to go to trial when that is in a client’s best interests. Welding accidents often involve questions about unsafe equipment, poor training, or subcontractors working side by side, and our broad practice across personal injury, workers’ compensation-related issues, insurance disputes, and complex litigation helps us navigate those overlaps.

We know emergencies do not always happen during business hours, so we are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer service in Spanish, which helps many workers and families speak comfortably about what happened and what they need. When you reach out, you speak with a team that listens carefully and takes your concerns seriously.

Steps To Take After A Welding Accident in Rockford

In the hours and days after a welding injury, it can be difficult to know what to do first. You may be trying to focus on your health while also feeling pressure from supervisors or insurance representatives. Taking a few key steps can help protect both your well-being and your potential legal claims.

Be careful about giving detailed statements to insurance companies or signing documents before you understand your rights. You may be offered a quick settlement that does not fully reflect your losses or future needs. Speaking with a welding accident lawyer in Rockford can help you avoid mistakes that are hard to correct later.

After a welding accident, it can help to:

• Seek immediate and follow-up medical care and follow your doctor’s instructions.
• Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible in writing if you can.
• Photograph the scene, tools, protective gear, and any visible injuries.
• Keep copies of medical records, work restrictions, and accident reports.
• Contact our firm for a free case evaluation before accepting any settlement.

Our attorneys are ready to review what happened and explain how we may be able to help. Call (815) 216-5911 or reach out online to speak with our team at DeRango & Cain, LLC about your welding accident case.