If you were injured working on or near the water — at a port, shipyard, terminal, or marine facility — you may be covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, not ordinary state workers’ compensation. That distinction matters, because the Longshore Act often provides stronger benefits, and the insurance carriers handling these claims know the system far better than most injured workers do.
I’m Ty Wilson, a Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation lawyer. I help maritime and waterfront workers understand their rights and pursue the federal benefits they’re entitled to — with a calm, straightforward approach rather than the high-pressure tactics you’d expect from a typical injury firm.
Wherever you’re located, you can call 912-438-8282 for a free strategy session. No obligation, no jargon — just a clear conversation about your situation.
What Is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), often called the “Longshore Act,” is a federal law that provides workers’ compensation benefits to employees injured on the navigable waters of the United States or in adjoining areas used for loading, unloading, building, or repairing vessels.
In plain terms: if your job involves maritime work on or near the water, and you’re not a seaman covered by the Jones Act, the Longshore Act may be the law that governs your injury claim — providing medical care, lost wages, and other benefits under federal rather than state law.
Who Is Covered Under the Longshore Act?
Longshore Act coverage generally turns on two things: the kind of work you do, and where you do it. You may be covered if you work as a:
- Longshoreman or stevedore loading and unloading ships
- Shipbuilder or ship repairer
- Harbor construction worker
- Worker at a marine terminal, pier, wharf, or dock
- Equipment operator or support worker in a covered maritime area
The work generally must occur on or near navigable waters, including adjoining docks, terminals, and facilities. Whether the Longshore Act or state workers’ compensation applies to your injury isn’t always obvious — and it can make a meaningful difference to your benefits, which is why it’s worth having someone evaluate your specific situation.
What Benefits Does the Longshore Act Provide?
Longshore Act benefits are often more generous than state workers’ compensation, particularly when it comes to wage replacement.
Medical Benefits
The Longshore Act covers reasonable and necessary medical treatment for your work injury — and importantly, you generally have the right to choose your own treating physician, rather than being limited to an employer-selected panel.
Disability Benefits (Lost Wages)
The Longshore Act provides wage-replacement benefits based on your average weekly wage, generally at two-thirds of that wage up to a federal maximum that is often higher than state limits. Benefits are categorized as temporary total, temporary partial, permanent total, or permanent partial disability, depending on the nature and extent of your injury.
Death Benefits
If a covered worker dies as a result of a workplace injury, the Longshore Act provides death benefits to surviving family members.
Longshore Act vs. State Workers’ Compensation
One of the most important questions in a waterfront injury is which law applies. The Longshore Act and state workers’ compensation are different systems with different benefits, different procedures, and different advantages. In some situations a worker may even have rights under both.
Because the Longshore Act frequently offers higher wage-replacement limits and the right to choose your own doctor, being incorrectly funneled into a state claim can cost you. If you were hurt doing maritime or waterfront work, it’s worth confirming you’re pursuing your claim under the right law.
Do You Need a Longshore Act Lawyer?
Longshore claims run through the U.S. Department of Labor and involve procedural requirements and deadlines that are easy to miss. You should strongly consider speaking with a Longshore lawyer if your claim has been denied, your benefits have been delayed or stopped, there’s a dispute about whether the Longshore Act applies, or you’re facing a serious or permanent injury.
A consultation costs nothing and gives you a clear picture of where your claim stands and what to do next.
Related: The Defense Base Act
The Longshore Act is closely related to the Defense Base Act, which extends similar protections to civilian contractors injured while working overseas on U.S. government contracts. If you were hurt working abroad rather than on domestic waters, the Defense Base Act may be the law that applies to you.
Talk to Ty — Free Strategy Session
If you were injured doing maritime or waterfront work, the best next step is a simple conversation. Call 912-438-8282 for a free strategy session. We’ll talk about what happened, whether the Longshore Act applies, and what your options are — in plain English, with no pressure.
You can also contact me here to request a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?
The Longshore Act (LHWCA) is a federal law providing workers’ compensation benefits to maritime and waterfront workers injured on navigable waters or in adjoining areas used for loading, unloading, building, or repairing vessels. It covers medical care, lost wages, and death benefits.
Who is covered by the Longshore Act?
Longshoremen, stevedores, shipbuilders, ship repairers, harbor construction workers, and others doing maritime work on or near navigable waters may be covered. Coverage generally depends on both the type of work and where it’s performed.
Is the Longshore Act better than state workers’ compensation?
The Longshore Act often provides higher wage-replacement limits and allows you to choose your own treating physician, which can make it more favorable than state workers’ compensation. Which law applies depends on the specifics of your job and injury.
Can I choose my own doctor under the Longshore Act?
Generally, yes. The Longshore Act typically allows injured workers to select their own treating physician, unlike many state systems that restrict you to an employer-approved panel.
What’s the difference between the Longshore Act and the Defense Base Act?
The Longshore Act covers maritime and waterfront workers injured on U.S. navigable waters, while the Defense Base Act extends similar coverage to civilian contractors injured overseas on U.S. government contracts. They are closely related federal laws.
How much does a Longshore Act lawyer cost?
Attorney’s fees in Longshore claims are regulated under federal law and are generally handled as part of the claim rather than paid out of pocket up front. The initial strategy session with my office is free.