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A look at physical and mental effects from the Deepwater Horizon disaster

The facts say that 11 workers were killed, 17 injured and 7 critically injured in the April 20 Transocean Deepwater Horizon explosion. However, as in many traumatic events, the aftermath of the rig disaster will not be completely understood for months or even years after the fact. Burns or broken bones may be immediately seen and treated but what about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or back injuries, the effects of which may incubate and not fully surface for a long period of time? How about injuries that are willingly unreported by victims because they hastily signed a company non-liability waiver or fear industry blacklisting?

The following are some of the physical and mental effects survivors have to carry. Some of them will heal quickly and others will not. Some of them are seen and some are impossible to measure:

Head Injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may require extensive testing to diagnose and can be fatal if not treated. Making them especially traumatic is the fact that they deal with sensitive tissue and membranes surrounding the brain. These may have been caused by being violently thrown from the bunk, concussion from the pulsation of the explosion or impact from being slammed into the bulkhead or hit by flying debris. Typical symptoms include:
-Mood swings
-Unrelenting headaches
-Emotional problems
-Speech difficulty
-Loss of memory or concentration problems.

Burns. Beyond the trauma of skin disfigurement and scarring is the resultant nerve damage. This may cause the victim to lose the ability to feel pain and not be aware of the scope of the injuries. Skin loss causes the body to lose bodily fluid retention and lead to dehydration.

Loss of Hearing. Some may have immediately experienced hearing loss or ringing of the ears. Others may have begun to have problems differentiating voices from background sounds or have to turn up the radio or TV louder than before.

Crushing Injuries. It may have been a filing cabinet flying into the ribs or being jammed by sliding machinery when the rig tilted over that caused broken bones or other effects including:
-Kidney failure
-Muscle function damage
-Paralysis
-Urine discoloration
-Numbness

PTSD. This anxiety disorder is generally associated by the general public with wars but can result from any traumatic event such as an oil rig explosion. It is probably the most difficult effect for medical professionals to treat. Symptoms include:
-Emotional numbness
-Flashbacks
-Difficulty recalling the incident
-Constant edginess

As a law firm experienced in dealing with offshore platform accidents, including Transocean facilities, we understand the nature of this disaster as well as anyone.

The survivors are the most central individuals to the Deepwater Horizon tragedy both for the value of the information they carry as well as the apparent and hidden scars and traumas they may carry the rest of their lives.

Learn your rights as a seaman by ordering free copy of The Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case written by Jones Act and maritime accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom.

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