5 things to keep in mind if you are injured while working on navigable waters

If you are injured while working on navigable waters, there are several important things to keep in mind. Here are five of the most important things to know:

1. Report the injury to your employer: You should report the injury to your employer as soon as possible after it occurs. You may be required to provide written notice of the injury within a certain period of time, so it’s important to act quickly.
2. Seek medical attention: You should seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. If your injuries are serious, you may need emergency medical treatment. Even if your injuries are minor, you should still see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
3. File a claim for workers’ compensation benefits: You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). To file a claim, you should contact the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) and provide detailed information about your injury and how it occurred.
4. Keep track of your medical treatment and expenses: You should keep detailed records of all medical treatment you receive for your injury, as well as any related expenses, such as transportation costs and prescription medications. These records can be important when filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
5. Consider seeking legal advice: If you have questions about your rights under the LHWCA or are having difficulty obtaining workers’ compensation benefits, you may want to consider seeking legal advice. An attorney who is experienced in workers’ compensation law can help you understand your options and protect your rights.

Learn About Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal workers’ compensation program that provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill while working on navigable waters, including docks, piers, and other waterfront areas.

The LHWCA covers a wide range of workers, including longshoremen, stevedores, harbor workers, and other maritime employees. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).

To qualify for benefits under the LHWCA, a worker must have been injured or become ill while working on or near navigable waters. This includes injuries or illnesses that occur on docks, piers, wharves, and other waterfront areas, as well as on vessels and other watercraft.

Benefits provided by the LHWCA include medical treatment, wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation. The amount of benefits provided varies depending on the nature and severity of the injury or illness.

In order to receive benefits, a worker must file a claim with the OWCP. The claim must be filed within one year of the injury or illness, and must include detailed information about the nature of the injury or illness, the circumstances under which it occurred, and any medical treatment received.

The OWCP will review the claim and make a determination about whether the worker is eligible for benefits. If the claim is approved, the worker will receive benefits for as long as they are unable to work due to the injury or illness. If the worker is able to return to work, but at a reduced capacity, they may be eligible for partial wage replacement benefits.

Overall, the LHWCA is an important program that provides crucial support to workers who are injured or become ill while working on navigable waters.

History of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) was first enacted by the United States Congress in 1927, to provide benefits to maritime workers who were injured or became ill while working on navigable waters. The original law was relatively limited in scope, covering only longshore and harbor workers who were not covered by state workers’ compensation laws.

In 1972, the LHWCA was substantially amended to expand its coverage to include a wider range of maritime workers. The amendments also provided for the payment of disability benefits and medical expenses, and established procedures for resolving disputes between injured workers and their employers.

Further changes were made to the LHWCA in 1984, when Congress enacted the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Amendments Act. These amendments further expanded the program’s coverage to include workers in new industries, such as shipbuilding and repair, and clarified the procedures for determining eligibility for benefits.

In addition to these legislative changes, the LHWCA has also been shaped by numerous court decisions over the years. These decisions have helped to clarify the program’s scope and provided guidance on issues such as the calculation of benefits and the determination of eligibility for benefits.

Today, the LHWCA remains an important program that provides vital support to maritime workers who are injured or become ill while working on navigable waters. The program continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts to ensure that it provides fair and effective support to those who need it.

Neither this site nor anyone associated with it is affiliated in any way with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation.