The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law (33 U.S.C. §§ 901-950) that provides workers’ compensation benefits to certain maritime workers, including longshoremen, harbor workers, and other employees working on navigable waters of the United States or in adjoining areas such as docks, terminals, and shipyards.  In for coverage to apply, there must be both “situs” (occurring on the navigable waters or adjoining areas) and “status” (the work is maritime in nature – loading and unloading vessels, repairing ships, building or breaking down ships, handling cargo, stevedoring or longshoring activities. 

If a claim is covered under the LHWCA the injured worker is entitled to medical benefits (including all reasonable and necessary medical, surgical, and hospital services and supplies related to the injury such as doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, transportation to medical appointments and durable medical equipment) and various compensation benefits (Temporary Total Disability, Temporary Partial Disability, Permanent Partial Disability and Permanent and Total Disability).