Maritime claims are not something that many people think about. The reason is because longshoremen and dockworkers are workers who only exist in very specific communities. You won’t find them in Tuscon, Arizona. But there are considerable government resources to cover them. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, for example, offers protection to 500,000 dock workers and the benefits are paid out through self insured employers. People suffering from injuries should determine the maritime claims that apply, whether they were working on a civilian dock, in which case they may be working under the Longshore harbor workers compensation act, or on a military dock, which might put them under the Defense Base Act.
Of course, this was not the first law of its kind. The Merchant Seaman Protection and Relief Act in 1920 also offered protection for those injured on the docks. Typically, injuries relating to working on the docks are claimant friendly. Attorney’s fees are treated more equitably than in other industries and, furthermore, it provides reasonable funding for a funeral service, as well as benefits based on the survivor’s wages.
The Longshore Harbor Workers Compensation Act is only one of the laws relating to imports and exports that is still relevant. For example, there is also the Defense Base Act which relates to injuries on Navy or military shipyards or harbors. And there are Defense Base Act lawyers who specialize in enforcing these cases. Dba attorneys are often experienced working with civilian contractors or others in this field.
If there is one thing that maritime claims, in their various manifestations, underline, it is that the shoreline is a complicated place. And it is a place that requires law like any other. The world is far from perfect. These laws are merely a way of dealing with that imperfection, however flawed they may be.
I had a brother who worked on the docks on Baltimore for a lot of years, until his leg was injured by a falling crate. I don’t know if it will work without the unions though.
Longshoremen are among the last who will probably give up unionization. Of course, this remains to be seen.
Longshoremen are among the last who will probably give up unionization. Of course, this remains to be seen.
Longshoremen are among the last who will probably give up unionization. Of course, this remains to be seen.
Longshoremen are among the last who will probably give up unionization. Of course, this remains to be seen.
Longshoremen are among the last who will probably give up unionization. Of course, this remains to be seen.