Workers Compensation

If you are an injured longshore worker, our legal team helps you understand your rights under the Longshore and Harbor Workers compensation Act (LHWCA). If you are a seaman, you will likely look to the Jones Act for recovery of compensation and benefits after injury. Our legal team works with you to determine eligibility for these programs after you are injured on land or sea.

Injury on shore-based or harbor worksites is common. Types of injuries suffered by longshore workers include:

• Amputations
• Exposure to toxic or hazardous materials
• Burns from fire or explosion
• Musculoskeletal injury, including lifting injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Falls or collisions
• Spinal and back injury

As a harbor, wharf worker, crane operator, stevedore, ship builder or longshore worker, benefits and compensation are provided by employer-sponsored programs under the LHWCA. The Act covers approximately 500,000 maritime workers in the United States. Similar to the state workers compensation program, filing a claim under the LHWCA does not mean you must prove your employer was negligent in order to receive medical and other benefits. Points about benefits under the LHWCA include the following:

• Upon injury or awareness of work-related injury, you should provide your employer notice of injury as soon as possible.
• Benefits include medical expenses, hospitalization and supplies.
• You are generally allowed your choice of doctor if approved by the Department of Labor.
• When disabled, you are provided 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage.
• Death and funeral benefits are provided to survivors.
• Similar to Workers compensation, you may appeal decisions by the insurer to an administrative law judge.

With complex definitions and regulations, it is important to correctly identify benefits available to you. If injured, speak with florida dock worker injury lawyer at our firm to determine if injury coverage is possible under the LHWCA or the Jones Act. When injured, we help you apply for and gain the benefits you deserve under state and federal law.