After being rated in the top-ten most dangerous occupations of 2016, it is of no surprise that Congress has created a special workers’ compensation program that will cover fisheries and ports. Because of the long hours that an employee can put in a single workday and the amount of moving machinery on land, it is also of no surprise of just how dangerous it is to being in this industry. With an all-time high amount of demand for seafood and goods from other countries, it is expected that more injuries will result because of working in these conditions. It is important that if you or a loved one are injured while working, that you contact an experienced New Bedford workers’ compensation lawyer to help you get the money you rely on and deserve.
What Is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal workers’ compensation act that was enacted in 1927. The LHWCA makes available benefits for particular types of maritime employees and for civilian employees on military bases abroad. With dealing with maritime employees, the LHWCA covers longshoremen, which are those who load and unload ships, harbor workers, and most other people who work on docks and in shipping terminals or shipyards.
The LHWCA offers the following types of monetary benefits to injured workers when dealing with workers’ compensation: temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent total disability and permanent partial disability. Also, under the LHWCA, an injured employee is eligible to have all of their sensible and essential medical bills paid for. If it is required, the injured employee may also obtain reasonable transportation expenditures for their travel to and from where they gain their medical treatment or rehab. This is very much like the state’s workers’ compensation programs that entail most occupations.
What Injuries Can Result Due To Working At A Harbor?
Below are just some of the injuries that can happen as a result of an accident at the workplace of an employee of a harbor, fishery or port. Many of these accidents involve heavy machinery or are the result of working long hours, which can cause exhaustion and lack of safety precautions.
- Asbestosis
- Amputations
- Broken Bones
- Cancer
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Arm Injuries
- Whiplash
- Back Injuries
- Stress
- Chemical Exposures
- Head Injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Depression
- Heart Attack
- Lead Poisoning
- Burns
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Radiculopathy
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Contact a New Bedford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured at work in New Bedford, contact the New Bedford workers compensation lawyers located at 930 Kempton Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages, among other losses. We work with experienced workers compensation lawyers that charge no fee unless you obtain benefits or a settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us at 508-984-8400 or toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out a contact form on our site.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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