Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore Act is the federal law protects those that are injured while working on or adjacent to navigable waters of the United States. This includes workers in shipyards building or repairing vessels; longshore workers loading and unloading cargo; and workers on particular types of offshore rigs. Covered workers are entitled to make their own initial choice of treating physician and should promptly receive compensation benefits for the time that they are medically off work. Compensation benefits are based upon the earnings in the fifty-two weeks before the date of the on-the-job injury.

For Longshore purposes, an injury includes not only the obvious traumatic events it includes cumulative events such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and occupational conditions such as a hearing loss due to noise exposure. Thus, an injury includes more subtle events such as when something goes wrong with the human frame within the scope and course of covered employment.

There are multiple procedural steps in the prosecution of disputed Longshore claims. Our attorneys are beside you through every step including the filing of your claim before the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, participating in Informal Conferences when necessary, and preparing your claim for a formal hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge. When necessary, we also pursue your claim through the appellate process before the Benefits Review Board and the appropriate Circuit Court of Appeals.

Our attorneys are ready to guide you through the Longshore Act’s legal process and work to ensure that you receive all of the medical and compensation benefits that are due to you.

Admirality Law

Admiralty Law, also known as Maritime and Jones Act law, is a broad body of law that includes injuries sustained by seamen while they are on-board vessels that can include ocean-going ships, barges, tugs or rigs. The Longshore Act provides compensation and medical benefits for maritime workers who typically work in shipyards or loading/unloading cargo.

Given the rigorous nature of seamen’s work, common injuries may include damage to the neck, head and back, as well as broken bones and brain or spinal cord injuries. The Jones Act, Longshore Act and the Defense Base Act are designed to cover the injured workers’ medical costs, provide compensation during the time the injured worker is not capable of working, and, in appropriate cases, provide compensation for future lost wages. Seaman are also entitled to damages for pain and suffering.

Often, insurance companies try to pay the least amount of compensation or pay slowly – or both. This is unfair and can hurt a family whose breadwinner is unable to work and draw a paycheck. You need effective, accomplished legal counsel to help you resolve your claim in a timely and successful manner.

Defense Base Act Law

The Defense Base Act covers injuries to civilian employees while they are working overseas for government contractors. Whether dispatched to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Panama, Thailand, or elsewhere, this workers’ compensation law provides for medical care and compensation benefits for injuries that happen while working in a foreign country.

With the dramatic escalation in civilian workers engaged in overseas assignments, there has been an increased need for agile and experienced legal counsel to help workers who are physically hurt or mentally traumatized.

Because an overseas contractor has their own legal counsel and deals with injuries every day, they can draw on a multitude of maneuvers to slow or reduce compensation from making a “low-ball” payment to simply moving slowly to report injuries. Whatever the situation, often, their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Our goal is to provide the legal counsel essential for you receive the maximum compensation you deserve – and your family needs.