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.