Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program, injured harbor workers are entitled to recoup medical expenses, lost wages, and the cost of medical-related travel. The Act is a federal law created to provide for employees injured while loading or unloading vessels, or those involved in the construction or repair of ships. In the event of a harbor worker’s death, the Act also provides death benefits to the dependents of deceased employees.
The Law Office of Robert W. Nizich has successfully represented many injured harbor workers. If you have sustained an on-the-job injury or disease, contact us today. We know OWCP laws and will help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Common serious harbor worker injuries and fatalities are caused by accidents including:
In addition to these serious accident injuries, harbor workers often experience repetitive motion injuries (RMI). Repetitive stress can cause chronic problems in the back, knees, wrists, neck, shoulders, and hands. RMI injuries are common for many harbor workers. In response to the vast amount of injuries being sustained by maritime workers, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Program was put into action by the U.S. Department of Labor as an effort to offer seriously injured maritime workers benefits following an injury.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program provides wage replacement, medical, and vocational rehabilitation benefits to eligible injured workers or their survivors. Its purpose is to ensure employers and insurance companies provide qualified employees benefits in a timely manner. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program adjudicates disputed claims.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides more than $747 million in monetary, medical, and vocational rehabilitation benefits in more than 27,000 cases annually. OWCP laws cover work-related injuries and diseases occurring on the navigable waters of the United States, or in adjoining shore side areas. Certain other classes of workers are covered by extensions of this Act. The Act provides compensation for medical bills, surgical expenses, and lost wages and ensures the worker the right to choose their treating physician. To ensure the continued provision of disability funds to these injured workers, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program maintains more than $2.8 billion in securities.
Medical Care Benefits – The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides medical, surgical, and hospital care to maritime employees who have suffered work-related injuries. In addition, the cost of required travel or mileage to receive medical treatment is covered as well.
Disability Compensation – Disability benefits provide injured workers with wages for time lost. Compensation is payable for permanent or temporary total, permanent partial, and temporary partial disabilities.
Death Benefits – In the event of an employee’s work-related death, the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program provides death benefits to eligible survivors.
Claimants are often dependent upon the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program’s timely receipt of benefits for food, housing, and a minimal standard of living. Additionally, a primary function of OWCP laws is to act as a mediator in resolving disputed claims. The Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program provides an informal conference where injured workers and their employers can voluntary resolve their disputes.
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers disability compensation programs – including the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program - which provide wage replacement, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and other benefits to qualified workers, or the dependents of qualified workers that experience work-related injuries or diseases. These OWCP laws intend to protect the interests of workers, employers, and the federal government. The goal of these OWCP laws is to ensure timely, accurate claims and the provision of benefits. If you would like to learn more about the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program or OWCP laws contact the Law Office of Robert W. Nizich and arrange a free case evaluation.
Contact the law office of Robert W. Nizich if you are an injured harbor worker and would like to know more about OWCP laws and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program.
Robert W. Nizich
839 S Beacon St Suite # 332
San Pedro, California 90731
Ph. 800.673.3165
Fx. 310.548.6364