Mobile Alabama Offshore Workers Must Not Ignore Second-Degree Burn Injuries

Posted on May 17th, 2012 by

There are several types of burn injuries that an offshore worker can suffer.  Burn injuries are divided into 3 categories, depending on their severity – first degree burns, second-degree burns and third-degree burns.

First degree burns usually involve surface injuries, or minor burns on the surface of the skin.  A person may not suffer long-term scarring, or debilitation as a result of these injuries.  However, if your first degree burn covers a large area, then you may require medical attention.

Second-degree burns are more serious injuries that can result in scarring, and blistering.  The main difference between second degree burn injuries and first-degree burns is that there is some amount of damage to the skin tissue in a second-degree burn injury.

The skin is red and splotchy in appearance, and you will notice the development of blisters.  There is also severe pain in the case of second-degree burn injury.  You may also notice some swelling.

According to burn injury experts, if the site of the burn is no more than 3 inches in diameter, then it can be treated as a minor burn injury.  However, most of the second-degree burn injuries that maritime workers or offshore workers suffer are much bigger in size.  Therefore, they need to receive emergency medical attention and follow-up care too.  For instance, workers with burns that involve the hands, feet, and face must be rushed to a hospital.

While the worker is being taken to the hospital, the body must be cooled down, by pouring cold water for 10 to 15 minutes over the burn.  Burns can be covered by using a sterile piece of bandage, but avoid using cotton.

If you’re a Mobile,  Alabama  offshore worker who has suffered burn injuries, you may be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act.  Speak to an offshore injury lawyer at our firm.



Common Burn Injuries in a Maritime Workplace

Posted on May 15th, 2012 by

Burn injuries are some of the most serious occupational injuries, and the incidence of these injuries is high in the maritime environment too.  When a person works in close contact with highly flammable gases, liquids and other materials, or with fires, or in proximity to electrical wiring, there’s an ever-present risk of burn injuries.  A maritime environment has all of these risks, and more.

A maritime worker may be at risk of different types of burn injuries depending on his work.  For instance, a thermal burn typically involves skin burns that are caused by scalding liquids, like hot water.  Thermal burns can also occur as a result of exposure to open flames.  These injuries are seen very often in the case of an oil rig explosion.

Chemical burns occur when the skin comes in contact with toxic chemicals or acids.  The point of penetration can be not just the skin, but also the eyes.  Typically, as a maritime lawyer, I come across these types of injuries involving persons in loading and unloading activities.  These persons may be exposed to the risk of injuries when they are unloading hazardous materials without protection from exposure.

Additionally, no matter what type of maritime worker you are, and what kind of environment you’re working in, the risk of electrical injuries is always present.  These injuries can include anything from electrocution that results in death, to electrical shock that causes serious injuries or even disability.



Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis That Ridgeland Offshore Workers Should Look Out For

Posted on May 14th, 2012 by

If you are a Ridgeland, Mississippi offshore worker suffering from serious shoulder pain, swelling in the shoulder region, tenderness or inflexibility, then you may be suffering from what is commonly known as shoulder bursitis or inflammation of the bursa sacs.

To understand what bursitis is, you must first know what a bursa sac is.  The bursa sac is a tiny sack filled with fluid, and is located in the shoulders, hips, elbows and knees.  There are 160 bursa sacs in the body.  Inflammation of the bursa sac occurs usually as a result of injury.

Injury to the shoulder can be either the result of a fall accident or any other kind of accident. In such cases, the bursa sacs in the shoulder can become inflamed.  Offshore workers who are involved in certain types of activities, like lifting heavy loads from the ground, may be at risk of shoulder bursitis.  An injured worker may be unable to perform certain movements, like lifting a hand above the head.

Typically, the symptoms of this condition include severe localized pain in the shoulder, swelling and tenderness.  An injured worker may also find it hard to perform certain activities using the shoulder, and may notice limited flexibility in the area.

In some cases, there may be infection of the bursa sacs.   This is relatively rare. However when there is an  infection of the bursa sacs, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment.

If you are an offshore worker who has suffered a shoulder injury, speak with an experienced Mississippi offshore injury lawyer at our firm.



What is Shoulder Bursitis and How Does It Affect Your Life?

Posted on May 13th, 2012 by

Shoulder bursitis is also sometimes referred to as Shoulder Tendinitis, and involves the inflammation of the shoulder area.  These injuries typically involve an inflammation of the bursa sacs that surround the rotator cuff tendons.  In fact, most cases of bursitis also involve tendinitis or inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons.

These conditions are very often linked to injuries on the job.  A maritime worker who has suffered a traumatic injury to his shoulder could be at risk of either of these 2 conditions.  For instance, a fall accident could place a maritime worker at risk of a shoulder injury.

Inflammation occurs soon after the injury.   The tendons and bursa sacs become inflamed and thickened.  Because of the thickening, the bursa and the tendons take up more space, pinching each other, and increasing pain.  This in turn leads to more inflammation, and more pain.

Over time, the maritime worker may find that he’s not able to move his shoulder anymore, or that the pain becomes unbearable.  In particular, he may find it hard to raise his hands above his head, or may find unbearable pain that actually wakes him up from his sleep.

Needless to say, these injuries can have a devastating effect on the worker’s activity, and in some cases, may make it impossible for a worker to continue to work at all.  If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s important that you get medical help immediately.  Also, speak to a maritime lawyer at our firm about your rights to compensation after a shoulder injury.



Types of Maritime Activities That Increase Risk of Rotator Cuff Injury

Posted on May 11th, 2012 by

Rotator cuff tendinitis is a condition that involves inflammation of a group of muscles and tendons in the rotator cuff.  Typically, this condition also involves inflammation of the bursa sacs, or bursitis.

These injuries are very frequent in the maritime workplace, because of the nature of many offshore workers’ jobs.  One of the most common causes of rotator cuff tendinitis among maritime workers is repetitive stress.

Repetitive stress or cumulative trauma occurs when a part of the body is exposed to severe strain or stress, usually by performing the same activity over and over again.  Workers who are given proper safety gear or have frequent rest intervals may not suffer from these injuries, even if they perform the same activity over and over again.  A person may be at risk of these injuries not just by performing the same activity over and over again, but also by performing the activity in conditions that are less than favorable to prevent injuries.

As a maritime lawyer, I often find that workers who are involved in activities that involve them to use their shoulder and upper arm muscles are at a higher risk of suffering rotator cuff tendinitis.  For instance, deckhands may be involved in a number of cleaning, scrubbing and painting activities on the vessel.  The kind of repetitive movements that these activities involve could increase a person’s risk of suffering inflammation of these muscles.  Maritime workers who are involved in loading and unloading activities could also be at a higher risk of such injuries.



Why the Jones Act Has Been so Good for Texas

Posted on May 11th, 2012 by

As a Jones Act lawyer, I find that many seamen are not aware of the rights and privileges afforded to them by one of the most favorable maritime laws for injured workers.  Houston Chron recently ran a piece extolling the virtues of the Jones Act, not just in boosting domestic maritime industry, but also in providing for injured workers.

The Jones Act was passed in 1920 during a time when seamen were exposed to harsh work conditions and harassment.  An injured seaman had little hope for any compensation.  There was no question of holding the employer or vessel owner responsible for his injuries.  Violence was commonplace, and many seamen who survived the terrible risk of injuries and occupational illnesses, were killed in the workplace.

The Jones Act changed all that.  The Act provided for some of the most favorable living and working conditions for seamen.  For the first time, seamen were treated as respectable workers, with rights and privileges.  The Jones Act also set up a worker’s compensation system that was fair and just.

In Texas, home of the oil and gas industry in America, the impact of the Jones Act has been especially vital.  The offshore oil and gas industry is a huge employer in Texas, and generates millions of jobs.  The Texas economy would not be the same that it is without the industry.  The Jones Act has helped keep these companies on their toes in respect to how they treat workers after an injury, and the working conditions that they provide all workers.



Treatment for Maritime Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Posted on May 11th, 2012 by

One of the most frequent symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis is severe pain.  The pain can be debilitating and increase over a period of time.  It’s important to get medical help as soon as possible, because rotator cuff tendinitis, if left unattended, can develop into a rotator cuff tear.

A rotator cuff tear is a much more serious injury that involves a host of complications.  Rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis can be treated with nonsurgical options, while serious rotator cuff tears will, in many cases, require surgery.

Some of the most basic treatment options that a doctor would recommend for you to treat your rotator cuff tendinitis is to use an ice application for the area.  An ice pack can help reduce the symptoms.  The application of ice can relieve inflammation, help reduce pain, and increase blood flow to the injured area.

Painkilling medications are also used to treat the symptoms.  These are typically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications that can help reduce pain.

Physical therapy is also a major part of recovery after rotator cuff tendinitis.  These are simple exercises that are designed to strengthen the rotator cuff, and increase flexibility in the shoulder.  If the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammation drugs does not help your pain, doctors may also recommend cortisone injections.

If you do not respond to any of these treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery.  However, these instances are rare, and in most cases of rotator cuff tendinitis, pain management and exercise can help reduce symptoms.

If you are an offshore worker who has suffered rotator cuff tendinitis or any other shoulder injury, speak with an experienced offshore injury lawyer at our firm.



What can a Natchez Mississippi Offshore Worker Expect after a Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Surgery?

Posted on May 10th, 2012 by

In most cases, rotator cuff tendinitis can be treated with the help of conservative treatment programs that include pain medications, cortisone injections, and physical exercise.  However, if none of these treatments work in helping relieve your symptoms, your Natchez doctor may have no other option but to recommend surgery.

The surgery is performed to create space between the inflamed tendons.  The pain after inflammation is usually caused because the tendons swell up, pinching into each other.  The surgery is aimed at creating space, and reducing pressure on the tendons.

The surgeon may also try to reduce the risk of any rotator cuff tear.  The surgeon will also try to remove chronically inflamed and thickened bursa tissue.

The surgery can either be open surgery, or arthroscopic surgery.  About 2 days after the surgery, if there are no complications, you may be placed in a rehabilitation program.  About 2 weeks after the surgery, you may be shifted to a more complicated, comprehensive physical therapy and rehab program.

Possible risks after surgery include infections, and bleeding from the wound.  In some cases, a person may also suffer from a frozen shoulder or stiff shoulder after surgery.

If you suffer from rotator cuff tendinitis and are scheduled for surgery, it’s important that you discuss all options, including possible outcomes and risks with the surgeon.

If you are an offshore worker who has suffered rotator cuff tendinitis or any other shoulder injury, speak with an experienced offshore injury lawyer at our firm.



5 Reasons to See a Doctor after a Shoulder Injury

Posted on May 9th, 2012 by

Rotator cuff tears are the most common types of shoulder injuries that offshore injury lawyers come across.  The rotator cuff is comprised of 4 tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder joint.

The most common of rotator cuff injuries are rotator cuff tears.  These are also the most serious injuries, because of the debilitating pain.

How do you tell if your shoulder pain is not the result of a sprain, but a symptom of a more serious rotator cuff tear?  Look for the following signs.

  • Rotator cuff tears lead to severe pain.  Look for pain that begins to transfer down, and reach the elbow.
  • You also find yourself unable to move your shoulder.  Your shoulder may lose its flexibility and ease of movement.
  • There may also be weakness in the shoulder.
  • Also, look for other signs that you have suffered a tear, like not being able to lift your arm overhead without pain.
  • If you’re unable to do simple activities like reaching behind yourself, carrying objects, or dressing yourself without difficulty, you may have suffered a rotator cuff tear.

See a doctor if you have severe pain in the shoulder that has continued for days, and has not been helped by painkillers.  Also, consult a doctor if you find that you’re not able to use your injured shoulder to the same degree as before.  Look for signs of lowered strength, and an inability to hold the arm out directly from the body.



Could Service Dogs Help Offshore Workers with PTSD?

Posted on May 9th, 2012 by

Many veterans who show symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder are turning to an unlikely source to help them with their symptoms – dogs.  In fact, the use of service dogs to help veterans cope with PTSD is becoming so popular that there has been increase in the number of dog training schools dedicated to training dogs for use by veterans with PTSD.

The use of service dogs to help people with psychiatric disabilities, including post traumatic stress disorder is not new, and has existed for a while.  However, with a growing number of veterans using these animals, the popularity of these dogs is likely to increase.

PTSD is a psychological condition that is often seen in veterans returning from combat.  It is also often seen in maritime workers or offshore workers who have been involved in life- threatening accidents.  For instance, post traumatic stress disorder was seen among workers who survived the BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.  Symptoms of PTSD include depression, nightmares, and flashbacks.  These symptoms can severely impact the person’s ability to live a normal life.

No one believes that service dogs will help eliminate severe symptoms of PTSD. However, experts have found that veterans, who have service dogs, are able to better cope with their symptoms.  They may not completely eliminate the symptoms, but they are able to deal with the flashbacks and nightmares that are part of life with PTSD.

If you have been injured in an offshore oil rig accident, and are currently suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, you may be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act.  Speak to an experienced Jones Act attorney at our law firm for an evaluation of your case.



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