Local Law Firms Home > Maritime Law Overview > Illness at Sea > Swimmers Itch Maritime Swimmers Itch In general, it can be said that people love being in the water. The ocean wave, a still lake or a rushing river all bring to mind a sense of fun and summer. Few things beat a refreshing swim and it’s hard to imagine how, short of drowning in a terrible accident, how being in the water could go wrong. Unfortunately, these fun times can go very, very wrong. The worst part is that it’s physically impossible to even see the danger coming. Parasites can infest certain waters and quite literally get under someone’s skin. Have you or someone you know worked at an offshore job and have been affected by swimmer’s itch? Contact a maritime lawyer to know your legal options today. Cercarial dermatitis (Also known as swimmer’s itch) is a skin rash that is caused by parasites that generally only intend to affect mammals and birds. But when neither of those can be found, the parasite will settle for getting into a human’s skin and causing a terrible rash. These parasites can usually be found in ponds, lakes, rivers and some parts of the ocean. Considering the working environment that most offshore workers face every day, it is not terribly surprising that they are also prone to getting these parasites. Symptoms of these parasites include:
The one silver lining of this parasitic infection is that it rarely requires medical attention. In most cases, the matter will simply resolve itself. But it’s not too fair to generalize. Some people may find it impossible to work with this infection and could need a few days off. There are laws that protect those people who work in offshore jobs that could cover compensation for medical care that may be needed or compensation for lost time at work. It is important to know that you have rights. Just because this parasite may not affect others the way it affects you, it does not necessarily mean that you are not eligible for compensation. If you or someone you know has been affected by swimmer’s itch, one of our experienced attorneys may be able to help. Contact a maritime lawyer in your area today. |