Maritime workers who are injured on piers, docks, terminals, wharves and areas used to load and unload vessels need protections similar to any other injured worker. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides protections injured maritime workers should be familiar with.
Who is covered?
Unlike the Jones Act, which provides protections for injured seaman, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides protection for longshore workers, ship-repairers, shipbuilders or ship-breakers who may be injured on the job.
What is covered?
Injuries that occur on the job on navigable waters of the United States and adjoining areas that are customarily used for lading, unloading, repairing and building vessels are typically covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Injuries that are covered include injuries that occur on the job, occupational diseases, hearing losses and illnesses that arise out of employment.
Benefits for injured maritime workers
Injured maritime workers can receive compensation payments for medical care needed to treat the injury or illness they suffered on the job. In addition, injured maritime workers can receive compensation for vocational rehabilitation if they become disabled because of the harm suffered at work. Survivor benefits may also be available to surviving dependents if the maritime worker is killed on the job or dies because of their injuries suffered on the job.
payment of compensation, medical care, and vocational rehabilitation services to employees disabled from on the job injuries that occur on the navigable waters of the United States, or in adjoining areas customarily used in the loading, unloading, repairing, or building of a vessel. The LHWCA also provides for payment of survivor benefits to dependents if the work injury causes, or contributes to, the employee’s death.
Maritime law provides several important protections to injured maritime workers that they and their families should familiarize themselves with. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is an important resource for injured maritime workers and their families.
