WHAT DO LONGSHOREMEN DO?

What Do Longshoremen Do?

The tens of thousands of longshoremen, the men and women who work on the world’s waterways perform a wide array of jobs.  Longshoremen enter cargo arrivals and departures in computerized inventories, lock and unlock cargo, check for damaged goods, load and unload using forklifts and cranes, keep the process moving smoothly, check for safety problems and much more.  

Longshoremen work outdoors, often under tremendous deadline pressure and incredible weather exposure and are therefore subject to injury. 

Longshore and harbor workers make it possible for consumers all over the world to obtain food, vehicles, washing machines, furniture and all the other goods that make up everyday life. 

Longshoremen are frequently denied medical care and benefits by insurance companies whose sole mission is to minimize medical claims and compensation.

Garfinkel Schwartz PA helps longshoremen fight for Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act benefits when they need them the most.

Garfinkel Schwartz Promises Confidentiality

Defense Base Act clients are sometimes concerned about confidentiality when considering reaching out for help. Many government contractors sign confidentiality agreements and do not understand how they can seek help after signing such an agreement.

Attorney Brian Wiklendt addresses these concerns in the following video from the Garfinkel Schwartz YouTube channel and explains how you can get help.



If you have symptoms of PTSD or have been injured on-the-job, we can help you get the medical care you are entitled to and everything remains completely confidential.

Visit the Garfinkel Schwartz PA website for more information about the Defense Base Act. You will find informative articles about the Defense Base Act and how we protect your confidentiality.

Symptoms of PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

When the life, the safety and security of an individual is threatened by a traumatic, or dangerous event there may be an affect on the psyche known as PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Civilian contractors who have worked overseas for a defense contractor are experiencing PTSD in high numbers after having been exposed to danger in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Maitland, Florida and Titusville, Florida law firm Garfinkel Schwartz helps many clients who are suffering from PTSD to regain denied medical care, medical treatment, medical insurance and compensation, under the Defense Base Act. 

The National Institute for Mental Health references many symptoms of PTSD that include a wide range of personality changes, emotional ups and downs, which are difficult issues to face. 

Family and friends may notice a difference in behavior in a loved one who is fearful, anxious, jumpy and irritable after hearing a loud sound. There may be a tendency to isolate and stay reclusive from people when previously there were many outgoing and upbeat emotions. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is treatable. There is help available through talk therapy, medication, and other state-of-the-art medical options so don't lose hope. Keep the faith and talk to a very skilled attorney practicing Defense Base Act law.

Personality changes, emotional distress, depression, anxiety are difficult issues to face but when a loved one returns home from having worked overseas as a civilian contractor for the Department of Defense there are sometimes noticable changes in personality.

Family and friends don't really know what the work of a contractor in a war torn country can involve. Questions may not yield a lot of answers because the truth is a little too scary to share with others. 

For anyone who has not served in the military, working in Iraq, Iran, or Afghanistan may seem like an unusual idea. But the pay offered often is the reason for many to work far away as a civilian in a foreign land.

Many civilian contractors are former military veterans who may have served several tours of duty. But there may be a psychological effect on the person working under stressful conditions. It has nothing to do with the toughness of an individual. Over time, the violence and repeated threat of harm can become insurmountable emotional challenages to anyone.

If an individual has had to be concerned with their personal safety for an extended or even a brief amount of time, they may become affected emotionally.

After a little while spent with family and friends, there may be some noticeable changes in a loved one's personality that People experiencing PTSD may not be aware of that the emotional signals that they're exhibiting are actually symptoms of PTSD. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is commonly experienced after exposure (continous or occasional) to:

• Gunfire
• Explosions
• Fear of driving or walking over an IED
• Hostile interactions with people 
• Fights or personally threatening instance
• Attacks by outside forces

If you or a loved one has lost medical benefits, medical care, prescriptions, financial compensation after having been injured on the job while working in a wartorn country, you may be covered under the Defense Base Act.

Talk with Garfinkel Schwartz so that you know what your rights are if you are struggling with health issues like PTSD after working as a contractor in Iran, Africa, Iraq or Afghanistan 1-800-393-2999.

We Take Care of Our Own. One Family At A Time.

U.S. Contractors Breathe Iraq Sand Storm Toxins

Civilians working overseas for U.S. Defense Contractors are exposed to the same environmental dangers as their military counterparts.

An Introduction To Garfinkel Schwartz PA

Garfinkel Schwartz PA is a Defense Base Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act law firm. Our clients are civilians employed by U.S. Defense Contractors overseas and also the men and women who work in our harbors, docks and piers throughout the world. The commonality between our clients is the risks they take on the job every single day.

When injured, we help them fight for the right to see their own doctor and get access to the diagnostic tests and medical care necessary for them to get back on their feet. Insurance companies frequently deny their claims and reduce their benefits.  The laws that govern their benefits are extremely complex - that's why the sick and the injured seek our help. We take care of our own, one family at a time.

Meet the Staff of Garfinkel Schwartz PA 

Attorneys:

Alan Garfinkel

Alan Garfinkel founded Garfinkel Schwartz PA to continue to the legacy of protecting the rights and benefits of the longshoremen and the employees of U.S. government contractors working overseas.

Alan has personal experience in navigating the complexities of acquiring health care for long-term illness and injury. He stood by his son through five major surgeries to treat chronic pain. He understands how difficult it can be to work with insurance companies to get necessary medical treatment.

Garfinkel Schwartz serves to honor the memory of his father-in-law, John M. Schwartz, Esq. who was a longshore attorney and a Vietnam veteran. Alan’s father and grandfather also fought in World War I and II which further solidifies the firm’s desire to support the military families that defend and protect us all.

Brian Wiklendt

Brian Wiklendt joined the Garfinkel Trial Group in 2006 as a case manager. Since his acceptance into the Bar in 1996, Brian has represented clients in all aspects of insurance and workers compensation litigation.

When Alan Garfinkel founded Garfinkel Schwartz PA, Brian was a natural fit to represent longshoremen and defense contractors fighting for benefits and compensation denied to them by Defense Base Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers Act insurance companies.

Brian’s compassion for his clients and his knowledge of the insurance industry made him a uniquely qualified attorney to represent his clients. He understands how difficult it is to navigate the large insurance companies and government paperwork that make it difficult for the injured workers to fight and prevail.

Legal Assistants:

Carol Anderson

Carol Anderson is a legal assistant at Garfinkel Schwartz PA. Carol has over 37 years experience working with the rules and regulations of the Defense Base Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act. Her knowledge puts her clients at ease as she interviews them to gather pertinent information related to their claim.

Carol works out of the Titusville, FL office and has worked with harbor workers and longshoremen since she started her career with maritime attorney John M. Schwartz.

Carol has a great deal of empathy for the clients of Garfinkel Schwartz. She is always there to listen to problems and answer questions about maneuvering through the paperwork required to get the medical care and benefits necessary to recover and provide for their families.

Myra Ciolfi

Myra Ciolfi is a legal assistant with Garfinkel Schwartz PA. Myra works out of the Titusville, FL office and has over 20 years experience working with Defense Base Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act insurance.

Myra brings with her experience working with maritime attorney John M. Schwartz with her primary responsibility being the review of medical records and applying her knowledge of the compensation afforded to the injured workers covered by these policies.

Bennett Garfinkel

Bennett Garfinkel is the son of Garfinkel Schwartz PA founder, Alan Garfinkel. Bennett’s struggle with chronic illness has been both an inspiration and a motivating factor in the work done at the firm.

Bennett has struggled with chronic pain and he understands all too well how important the proper medical care is and how it has helped him lead a productive life. He also has experienced the terror of a war-torn country first hand when he volunteered with the Red Cross in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2011.

While in the pursuit of his law degree, Bennett uses knowledge and experience to the fullest degree while working as a legal researcher for the firm. His hope is that injured workers can be spared the financial and emotional trauma of being denied medical benefits while dealing with serious injuries.