The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law which provides a federal workers’ compensation remedy for longshore workers, shipyard workers and other covered workers in any state, or even outside the country. Benefits under the Longshore Act are payable for any injury of illness arising out of covered employment without regard to fault. The disability benefits payable under the Act are typically higher than the benefits available to a covered worker under state workers compensation acts.
Do you have a longshore injury claim?
Aboard ship, longshore workers are confronted with dangerous conditions created by careless ship owners in cargo holds and on deck. Stevedore company superintendents expect longshoremen to get the job done no matter how dangerous. Lashing gangs are expected to unlash or lash an entire ship in short order so the work of unloading can begin or the ship can sail on time. Many of the ships are owned and operated by foreign companies who do not follow American safety standards, and some of the ships are ready for the scrap yard.
Harbors and ports are busy place with the potential for chaos everywhere. Container terminals sprawl for hundreds of acres and heavy equipment congestion prevails. Hundreds of highly paid highly skilled employees-clerical workers, marine clerks, foremen, mechanics, heavy equipment operators, handlers, crane operators, and more-all work under tremendous pressure to get the unloaded/loaded and back to sea. Unique hazards that are common in the longshore industry include falling loads, working on the top of cargo containers. Outside truckers in a hurry to find their load and get on the road are a danger to longshoremen in the yard. Defective or poorly maintained equipment can malfunction and cause injuries.
Longshoremen suffer many injuries including, asphyxiation, blindness, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, repetitive trauma, burns, amputation, broken bones, back and neck injuries, paralysis, and more.