The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that provides for the 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 covers employees in traditional maritime occupations such as longshore workers, ship-repairers, shipbuilders or ship-breakers, and harbor construction workers. The injuries must occur on the navigable waters of the United States or in the adjoining areas, including piers, docks, terminals, wharves, and those areas used in loading and unloading vessels. Non-maritime employees may also be covered if they perform their work on navigable water and their injuries occur there.
The procedural requirements and benefits available under LHWCA are similar in some ways but vastly different in others to those under the State of Maryland workers’ compensation system. You will need an attorney who is familiar with LHWCA to obtain those benefits to fullest extent possible.
If you have been suffered an injury while working on the waterfront, contact us at 410-687-7878 to schedule an appointment to meet with an experienced attorney.
July 17
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