The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides compensation for any lost payments and health care services provided to maritime workers who are injured on the job. Their injuries must occur at work and in U.S. waters where vessels are being operated. The Longshore Act also covers benefits made to dependents and other survivors of the deceased employee. In New York, there are different types of coverage for individuals who are covered under this law.
Types of coverage
The Longshore Act covers lost wages, medical bills and vocational rehabilitation services that result from a maritime injury. The injury must occur to maritime workers while they are operating in navigable U.S. waters. They include builders of ships, maritime construction workers, longshore workers and similar employees. Non-maritime workers are covered if they were injured on navigable waters. The types of workplaces that are covered include docks, piers and other sites where vessels are loaded and unloaded.
More about coverage options
There are specific details to understand about maritime law in New York. Not all maritime workers are covered; the law excludes seamen, such as sailors, government employees and workers covered under the state’s workers’ compensation law. Instead, the Jones Act covers seamen and other crew members.
The Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation assists in the process of helping recipients obtain their work benefits. In other cases, the department refers the case to the Office of Administrative Law Judges for a formal hearing.
Determining your coverage
Many maritime employees in New York are covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. If they are injured at work, they have to determine the type of injury, if they’re eligible for coverage and the amount of compensation they can receive.