Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
Baton Rouge Maritime Work Injury Lawyers
Maritime industry workers who get hurt on the job are often covered by a federal law called the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This law is in some ways similar to state workers’ compensation law, but there are critical differences. The proper handling of these claims requires an attorney who is deeply familiar with the variations.
The team at Saunders & Chabert has a thorough understanding of the LHWCA and how to use it to recover full and fair compensation for maritime workers who were injured on the job. Our Baton Rouge work injury attorneys have firsthand experience working on ships and in shipyards, giving our firm true insight into the dangers that maritime workers face. That is why we are so committed to helping maritime workers obtain the compensation they need and deserve following a serious accident at work.
Who Is Covered by the LHWCA?
The LHWCA applies to a variety of workers who are connected to the maritime industry in some way. Some examples include:
Employees working on oil rigs and offshore drilling platforms
Shipbuilders
Crane operators
Longshoremen
Dock workers
Linesmen
- Marine construction workers
What Benefits Does the LHWCA Provide?
Unlike Jones Act claims, the LHWCA provides benefits to injured workers without the need to prove that the employer was at fault. The benefits include payment of:
- Medical expenses
Two-thirds of the employee’s weekly wages
Wrongful death compensation for the family of a worker who died on the job
Similar to state workers’ compensation claims, injured workers are not allowed to file both an LHWCA claim and a personal injury lawsuit against the employer. However, if a third party caused the injury, our firm can help you file such a suit to obtain compensation beyond what the LHWCA would provide. Examples of third-party lawsuits could be a claim against a ship owner for vessel negligence or a manufacturer of defective equipment.
As experienced Louisiana workplace accident attorneys, we will investigate and determine whether you have a viable claim against a third party, and if so, we can help you understand all your options and recover the compensation you deserve.
Maritime Workplace Injury Cases
Free Consultation
To discuss your offshore or maritime injury with an experienced Baton Rouge lawyer, please call 225-771-8100 or fill out the form below. Your initial consultation is free. If you choose to hire us, we will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we are successful in getting compensation for you.