What longshoremen and dockworkers need to know when they get injured on the job

If you work on the docks, in the shipyards, or anywhere near the water, you already know your job is dangerous. Heavy machinery. Slippery decks. Massive cargo. And no room for error.

So what happens when something does go wrong and you get hurt?

Here’s what I want every longshoreman, stevedore, crane operator, and harbor worker to know:

You’re not covered by regular workers’ comp.

And you’re probably not covered by the Jones Act either (that’s for guys who work on boats).

You’ve got something different: the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act—also called the LHWCA.

What is the Longshore Act?

The Longshore Act is a federal law that protects workers injured on or near navigable waters—like docks, shipyards, loading terminals, and repair facilities.

Under its provisions, if you qualify, you’re entitled to:

• Medical care

• Wage replacement

• Disability compensation

• Vocational rehab if you can’t return to the same job

It’s better than most state workers’ comp laws—but only if you know how to navigate it. And most insurance companies are counting on the fact that you don’t.

Who qualifies?

You may be covered by the LHWCA if:

You load or unload cargo from ships
You maintain or repair vessels
You work in a shipyard, terminal, dry dock, or dockside warehouse
You got injured on a pier, dock, wharf, or adjacent facility

There are exceptions (government workers, clerical staff, small vessel builders under 65 feet), but the best way to know for sure is to ask someone who knows the law. Calling a maritime law attorney like myself is a good start. There is no fee to ask. 

Real talk: The system is stacked against you

You’d think with a federal law in place, it would be easy to get restitution. But here’s what I see:

• Delays in medical care

• Denied wage payments

• “Independent” medical exams from doctors on the insurer’s payroll

• Adjusters pressuring injured workers to settle fast—and cheap

That’s why you don’t go it alone.

The companies responsible for your injuries have lawyers. So should you.

What if your injury was someone else’s fault?

Here’s something most dockworkers don’t know: the LHWCA doesn’t stop you from also filing a third-party lawsuit if another company or worker caused your injury.

For example:

• You were hit by a forklift operated by someone from another firm

• A defective crane collapsed

• A visiting vessel’s crew left an oil slick that caused your fall

In those cases, you might be able to collect both Longshore benefits and sue for additional damages from the other company.

But you need a lawyer who knows how to stack these cases the right way.

I don’t just dabble in this—maritime law is one of my specialities

This isn’t the kind of case you give to a rookie or a robot. You need someone who understands the law, understands the job site, and actually gives a damn about working people.

I’m not a billboard lawyer. I don’t run a volume mill. I take fewer cases—so I can take better care of the people who trust me with theirs.

If you’ve been injured on or near the docks in Oakland, call me. I’ll tell you the truth. And if I can help, I’ll fight like hell to make sure you get what you’re owed.