Welding has been identified as one of the most toxic, most dangerous jobs.   If you are a welder or have done welding work in the past, you know that the use of arc welding rods produces highly caustic fumes.  Welding rods, electrodes and wire contain various substances include manganese, copper, lead and cadmium that are released in the form of toxic fumes during welding.  Over time, this exposure leads to illnesses that are always serious and often fatal.

 It’s not what welders expect after a lifetime of hard work – and it’s not what they deserve.

The welding industry has known of the dangers and risks in welding since the 1930s.  Internal documents obtained from industry groups and trade associations for manufacturers of welding products are clear proof that this knowledge has existed for many years and that the industry made a deliberate decision not to place warnings on the products and to deny knowledge of the dangers associated with welding. 

This blatant disregard for the health of workers continues today, when welders and their advocates must fight to be compensated for chronic and fatal illnesses that resulted from dangerous workplace exposure.

There is no doubt that Parkinson's Disease and a similar condition, Manganism (manganese poisoning), are directly linked to fumes and gases created during welding .  Manganism is caused by exposure to manganese and can lead to permanent damage to the central nervous system that mimics Parkinson’s.  Diagnosing Manganism is difficult because symptoms are slow in developing and are similar to several other non-occupational diseases of the nervous system.  One university study states that the conditions experienced by welders are not two different illnesses, but are in fact both Parkinson's disease.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease and Manganism include:

• fatigue
• headache
• muscle cramps
• loss of appetite
• apathy, insomnia
• feelings of weakness and lethargy
• speech disturbances
• tremors
• disorientation
• loss of memory
• impairment of judgment
• anxiety
• hallucinations
• delusions
• abnormal gait
• loss of ability to control movement

If you or a loved one worked in welding and is suffering from the symptoms listed above associated with Parkinson's disease or Manganism, promptly consult your doctor for an evaluation. 

The Nemeroff Law Firm handles legal claims on behalf of those injured in the welding industry.   We offer compassionate representation, combined with aggressive advocacy on behalf of our clients.  We invite you to contact us for a free, confidential consultation about your legal rights. The Nemeroff Law Firm represents patients throughout the United States, and we can help you, too, wherever you live.

For more information, please call us toll-free at: 1-888-NEM-LAW-1 or click here to complete this online contact form.  We will respond promptly to your inquiry.