When you’ve been injured at work and will need to take time off so you can recover from the injuries you sustained, you’ll need a way to support yourself and your family until you can go back to work. As a harbor worker, longshoreman, or other maritime employee, you won’t qualify for workers comp benefits through the state, which might give you cause for concern.
Fortunately, you can obtain benefits through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) that will allow you to continue providing for yourself and your family in your time of need. Below, we discuss what the LHWCA is and the benefits you’ll collect once your claim is approved.
What Is the LHWCA?
Maritime workers and those who are not considered to be seamen are protected under the LHWCA, a federal law that provides workers comp benefits to employees who work on or around navigable waters.
Once you pass the status and situs tests that establish you as a maritime employee, you’ll be able to collect benefits that will ensure you can support your family while you are recuperating from your injuries.
Get the Benefits You’re Entitled To
There are two major components to the LHWCA: the coverage of your medical benefits and your disability benefits. To start, you won’t be expected to cover your medical expenses, as your employer will be obligated to pay for any medical costs that relate to the work-related injury you endured.
Next, you can expect to receive weekly disability benefits that will replace 66 ⅔ percent of your average weekly salary. This way, you’ll still be able to pay your necessary household expenses while you’re out of work.
Additionally, if you end up being unable to return to work as a maritime employee, your employer will be compelled to provide you with vocational training and/or the education you need to find a job in another field. What’s more, if a maritime employee passes away due to a work injury, their family will be provided with death benefits that include coverage of funeral and burial expenses.
As you can see, the benefits that the Longshore Act affords to injured maritime employees can dramatically impact your quality of life while you recover and are unable to continue to earn a living. Working with a seasoned Longshore Act attorney will help ensure that your claim is approved and you can begin collecting the benefits you deserve as soon as possible.
Get in Touch with a New Orleans Longshoreman Injury Lawyer
If you’re interested in obtaining benefits through the Longshore Act, you can get in touch with a qualified New Orleans maritime injury lawyer at the Law Office of Braud & Gallagher today. Simply visit our website or call our office directly at 1-800-256-5674 to schedule your free claim review at your earliest convenience.