WELDING ROD INJURY

 

Introduction: Welding Safety and Manganese Poisoning
Excessive exposure to managanese fumes can cause a variety of neurological injuries, including tremors and other movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and a disease called manganism that resembles Parkinson's disease. Often the damage caused by exposure to manganese exposure is permanent and progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time. Additional Resources


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Manganism
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Welders are injured when small airborne particles of manganese in the welding fumes enter the nose or mouth and then travel from the nose or lungs into the bloodstream and then across the blood-brain barrier. Once in the brain, manganese can affect parts of the brain that control muscle movement and other bodily functions.
Symptoms associated with inhalation of manganese welding rod fumes include slowing of movement, arms that do not swing when walking, tremors, delays in performing routine tasks, masklike or blank face, mumbling speech, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, headache, anxiety, sexual dysfunction and bed-wetting.
The law of most states provides several personal injury claims for persons who have been seriously injured by a product. Welders injured by exposure to manganese fumes may bring claims without concern of limitation under state workers compensation laws because the defendants in this litigation often are the manufacturers of the welding rods themselves, not the welders' employer.
Claims that have been brought against welding equipment manufacturers include claims for negligence, strict liability for a defective product, as well as claims based on failure to warn and even fraud. Evidence exists that manufacturers have been aware of the permanent and progressive health risks associated with manganese welding rod fumes for decades. Damages sought typically include damages for:
Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
Medical expenses associated with the allegedly defective product;
Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity; and
Punitive damages.