Maritime Lawyer

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal act that covers employees in occupations that traditionally have a relation to maritime employment.

The act was passed by Congress originally in 1927. The original version provided coverage to longshore workers in the navigable waters of the United States if no state workers compensation laws were applicable.

In 1984, Congress substantially amended the bill. The amendments basically amounted to an expansion of coverage for the bill. The bill was expanded to cover every longshore and harbor worker working in the United States.

The bill covers activities such as loading and unloading a ship or vessel but the entire area becomes murky because of the increase in the number of people needed on and around ships. It is not necessary to be involved in an injury directly related to a ship to be covered by the act. For example, a mechanic that is injured changing the tire on a forklift that is employed in a marine terminal is covered by the act under its current configuration.

People who work in shipyards are covered by the act as well. In addition, truck drivers, forklift drivers, crane operators, and others may also be covered by the LHWCA.

Anyone employed on a fixed oil platform on either the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico and on fixed platforms elsewhere are also covered by the act.

To determine if you are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, contact the Maritime Lawyers of Williams Kherkher. They are able to answer any and all of your questions and to determine your legal options. Contact them at 1-800-220-9341 to schedule a free initial consultation concerning the circumstances surrounding your injury.