Most American workers assume that their work life will be relatively safe and free of the threat of bodily harm. However, some are inherently more dangerous than others, with the occupation of longshoreman being a prime example.
While you can take numerous safety precautions in this line of work, sometimes accidents still happen—and when they do, a qualified attorney could help you recover financially. If you suffered an injury while working as a longshoreman, an experienced Port of Charleston longshoreman injury lawyer could work to ensure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to under the law.
Longshoremen Injury Compensation Laws
While most employees in South Carolina are covered under the same workers’ compensation laws, those who work in maritime careers are afforded different rights. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal enacted in 1972 to give certain rights and protections to maritime employees.
According to the United States Department of Labor, the Longshore Act provides employment injury and occupational disease protection for land-based maritime employees. Compensation for such conditions would come from the employer, an authorized insurance carrier, or the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Fund.
A seasoned longshoreman injury lawyer in Port of Charleston could assist injured workers in determining how this law applies to their situation and how much compensation they may be entitled to.
Benefits Under the LHWCA
After any type of accident or injury, certain employment benefits are important to the health and financial well-being of the employee. Since benefits under the Longshore Act are usually better than workers’ comp benefits mandated by the state, many injured workers and their attorneys attempt to get approval under this act as opposed to workers’ compensation benefits.
Additionally, under the LHWCA, injured longshoremen are entitled to receive permanent partial disability benefits. Specifically, the LHWCA provides the following types of monetary benefits to injured workers:
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Permanent total disability
- Permanent partial disability
- Reasonable and necessary medical treatment
- Mileage and other reasonable transportation expenses such as parking, or tolls for their travel to and from the medical treatment
In the event that an injured maritime worker is unable to ever go back to their previous occupation after an injury, the Longshore Act also requires insurance companies to give them vocational rehabilitation to help them transition into another occupation in order to make a living. A seasoned lawyer could provide further clarification about what kinds of recovery may be available for an injured individual.
Consult with a Port of Charleston Longshoreman Injury Attorney
Being injured while simply doing your job can leave employees feeling hopeless and underappreciated, especially if their employer or their insurance company does not take responsibility for paying for their injuries. However, a skilled Port of Charleston longshoreman injury lawyer may be able to help you receive the benefits you are entitled to under maritime laws.
Your attorney could review the circumstances surrounding your injuries to determine what the next best steps should be in protecting your interests. If you are an injured longshoreman or have a loved one who is, call today to learn more about your options.
