Program Description
Enacted in 1927, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
(LHWCA) compensates for lost wages, medical benefits, and rehabilitation
services to longshore, harbor and other maritime workers who are injured
during their employment or who contract an occupational disease related to
employment. Survivor benefits are also provided if the work-related injury
or disease causes the employee's death. In addition, LHWCA covers a variety
of other employees through extensions to the Act. U.S. government
contractors and subcontractors are covered under limited circumstances
through the Defense Base Act. These benefits are paid directly by an
authorized self-insured employer, through an authorized insurance carrier,
or in particular circumstances, by an industry financed Special
Fund.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be or have
been a longshore or harbor worker, who now suffers from a work-related
injury or illness, or you must be a widow or widower whose deceased family
member died due to a work-related injury or an employee or survivor as
defined in the extension to the Act.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
For more information on this program and how to apply for benefits,
contact the current or former supervisor of the affected
employee.
