Longshore and Harborworkers Claims Adjusters: Minimizing Your Payment

The Longshore and Harborworkers Compensation Act covers injured maritime workers, dockworkers, and others who are injured on the job. These workers are not seamen, who might be covered under The Jones Act, or other workers who might be covered under other Workers’ Compensation Acts. Those covered by this act have very specific functions as defined by the act’s provisions, and if you are covered and need to make a claim, then it is important you understand what is involved in working with a longshore and harborworkers insurance claims adjuster.

Who is Covered?

Over 500,000 US workers are covered under The Longshore and Harborworkers Compensation Act. Workers who load and unload sailing vessels, repair them, and build them are covered under the act. Those injured while on a boat, a pier, dock, or where a boat might float or adjoin water may be covered by the act. Here are a few examples of those who are covered under this act:

Those who load and unload cargo on and off boats
Those who operate cranes and other machinery on sailing vessels
Those operating and working on oil rigs and related platforms
Those who perform construction duties on docks and piers
Those who examine sailing vessels or dissemble them

How Will Your Claim Be Handled By An Adjuster?

Like in personal injury cases, claims adjusters working under The Longshore and Harborworkers Compensation Act will consider the details of your injury and make a determination about how much you may be eligible for by way of compensation. You may be covered for:

Medical expenses
Disability costs
Rehabilitation and related expenses
The family members of those killed while working in these jobs may also receive death benefits.

Claims adjusters working under this act will do their best to minimize the compensation you receive, so you should consider the following when contacted by an adjuster:

Do not give the claims adjuster more information than is necessary, and have your attorney present when you have to submit information. The claims adjuster may try to prove that your injuries were not sustained during the conduct of your employment in the areas listed above. Instead, they may argue that you had an underlying medical condition where the act’s provisions would not apply

Getting Help

It is always a good idea to work with an attorney who has experience in this area of the law when you are dealing with an insurance adjuster. Your attorney can help to protect your interests and make sure you are adequately represented in transactions with the adjuster.

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