Your Reliable Longshore Act Lawyer at GMP
Many people are employed in Maritime work in Florida and throughout the United States. The nature of the work is often very dangerous and injuries are common. At The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A., we have handled cases for longshoremen that have experienced severe injuries and have been disabled for life; we have also represented family members of longshoremen who have been killed on the job.
The Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act (LHWCA) covers workers and provides benefits including compensation for disability, rehabilitation, and medical care. This act covers all longshoremen who are injured while working on U.S. waters or in areas used to load, unload, repair, or build vessels.
If you have been injured while working as a longshoreman, you are entitled to compensation under this act. Contact an expert Longshore Act lawyer at The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. to learn more about your rights and options.
Common Longshore Injuries
Even with safety practices in place, many workers are killed and injured each year when working in this industry. Common injuries include:
- Injuries while loading or unloading containers and/or luggage
- Slips and falls
- Injuries from accidents with equipment, machinery, or vehicles
- Drowning
- Burns from fires or explosions
- Chemical burns or other injuries from exposure to hazardous materials
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
Anyone who works in the maritime industry and is injured in navigable U.S. waters or in docks, shipyards, or other facilities where the ships are serviced is eligible for compensation under the LHWCA.
What Benefits Are Available?
Under the LHWCA, workers in the industry are eligible for generous compensation for lost time, reasonable and necessary medical care, and/or death benefits for a surviving spouse or minor children. At any time during the litigation, injured longshoremen are eligible to negotiate a lump sum cash settlement in exchange for past or future benefits.
Disability is provided at two-thirds of your average weekly wage. If the disability proves to be permanent, you are entitled to an amount of compensation that is based on the severity of your disability. You could receive these benefits for the rest of your life if your disability is permanent and severe.
In the case of a death, the surviving family members can receive 50% of the victim’s average weekly wage for so long as the dependency continues. Surviving family members can also receive coverage for funeral expenses.
Why You Should Hire a Longshore Act Lawyer
Employers and insurance companies often deny valid claims of injured longshoremen. At The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A., we know every trick played by employers and insurance companies to try to deny your claim, and we can beat them at their own game. We will hold them accountable to you so that you get the benefits you deserve.
To help you get the compensation you deserve without all the stress, contact the expert Longshore Act lawyers at The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. We are happy to stand up for your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have suffered. Contact us today for a free consultation.