Welding Accident Attorney in Montana
$11 Million Construction Settlement. Real Trial Results for Montana Workers.
Montana ranks third among all states for workplace fatalities, at 7.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. Welding is among the most hazardous trades in that picture, and the legal situation after a serious welding injury is rarely straightforward. An injured welder may have a workers’ compensation claim through their employer and a separate third-party claim against a general contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another subcontractor. Knowing whether both tracks apply to your situation can affect what compensation may be available. Hoyt & Blewett PLLC handles these cases across Montana.
Call our welding accident lawyers in Montana for a free, no-obligation case review. There are no out-of-pocket fees to meet with us. Reach us at (406) 233-1302.
Common Welding Hazards & Injuries
Welding work concentrates a specific set of dangers in one place. Arc flash burns and UV radiation exposure, electric shock from ungrounded equipment, and fires or explosions involving flammable gases are among the most common causes of serious injury on welding jobsites. Toxic welding fume exposure, including manganese and hexavalent chromium, can cause lasting respiratory damage that develops over time rather than in a single incident.
When welding is performed at height on scaffolding or structural steel, fall risk compounds the burn and electrical hazards already present. Injuries from these accidents range from severe burns and arc eye (a painful corneal inflammation caused by UV exposure) to hearing loss, lung damage, and traumatic injuries from falls.
Our Record in High-Value Construction & Industrial Cases
We secured an $11 million settlement in a construction accident case and the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in Montana history at $27 million. Across our case history, we’ve obtained 18 jury verdicts surpassing $1 million. Insurance companies may respond differently when they know the firm across the table has actually taken cases to verdict and won. That track record is what we bring to every welding accident claim we accept.
Managing partner Zander Blewett is the only Montana attorney admitted to the Inner Circle of Advocates, a national group limited to 100 of the country’s most recognized trial lawyers. All four of our partners were named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and we’ve earned over 150 five-star reviews on Google. We screen every case carefully before accepting it because we commit fully to the ones we take.
Our Verdicts Speak Volumes
Life-Changing Results, Time and Time Again
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$27,000,000 Settlement
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$21,350,000 Jury Verdict
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$11,000,000 Settlement
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$9,790,000 Jury Verdict
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$7,008,000 Jury Verdict
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$6,500,000 Settlement
Workers’ Compensation & Third-Party Claims in Montana
In Montana, workers’ compensation claims are administered through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, with benefits paid by the employer’s insurer. After a workplace accident, you must notify your employer within 30 days. The insurer then has 30 days to respond. Workers’ compensation generally limits what an injured worker can recover from their direct employer, but it doesn’t close the door on claims against other parties.
When a general contractor’s safety failures, another subcontractor’s conduct, or a property owner’s negligence contributed to a welding accident, a third-party claim can proceed alongside a workers’ comp claim. In limited circumstances, an injured worker may also be able to pursue the employer directly when workers’ compensation exclusivity doesn’t apply. These two tracks can run at the same time, and pursuing both is often one way to seek full compensation.
Who May Be Liable Beyond Your Employer
On multi-employer construction and industrial jobsites, general contractors control the worksite and often bear responsibility for overall safety conditions. Other subcontractors whose work created a hazard can share liability, and property owners who allowed dangerous conditions to persist may also have exposure.
If a defective welding torch, faulty protective gear, or other failed equipment caused or contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may face liability under a product liability claim. Identifying every responsible party is important to building a strong case, which is why we investigate the full scope of a worksite before any claim is filed.
Montana Deadlines That Apply to Welding Injury Claims
Montana’s statute of limitations gives injured workers three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. Missing that deadline generally forecloses the right to recover. Montana also follows a modified comparative negligence rule: a claimant found 51% or more at fault can’t recover damages, and damages are reduced proportionally for any fault below that threshold. Building a thorough factual record early can help protect against attempts to shift blame onto the injured worker.
Talk to a Montana Welding Accident Attorney About Your Claim
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to evaluate welding accident claims. There are no out-of-pocket fees and no signing obligations when you meet with us. Call (406) 233-1302 to discuss what happened and learn what compensation may be available.
