Mississippi Longshoreman Injury Lawyer
Longshore workers and workers with other traditional maritime jobs in Mississippi are exposed to many different injury risks and may be eligible to seek compensation under federal law. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a specific federal law that allows covered workers to obtain compensation for medical care, vocational rehabilitation, and other losses associated with a maritime-related work injury that results in a disability. To find out if you are eligible to seek compensation through the LHWCA, you should get in touch with an attorney who can help. Contact our experienced Mississippi longshoreman injury lawyer today.
Who Counts as a Longshoreman in Mississippi?
A longshoreman is a worker who is responsible for loading and unloading ship cargo at locations where the ship pulls in or departs, like docks or ports. Sometimes longshoremen are also known as stevedores or dock workers, and these jobs involve lifting heavy objects and using heavy machinery and equipment that can pose serious injury risks. It is important to understand what types of jobs in Mississippi fall under the category of “longshoreman” or related positions that are covered by the LHWCA. Generally speaking, the LHWCA covers the following types of workers who are injured on the job:
- Longshore workers, including dock workers;
- Ship repairers;
- Shipbuilders;
- Ship-breakers; and
- Harbor construction workers.
In order for a person in one of these jobs to be covered by the LHWCA, their injuries must have happened “on the navigable waters of the United States or in the adjoining areas, including piers, docks, terminals, wharves, and those areas used in loading and unloading vessels,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In some cases, there are types of non-maritime workers who can also be covered under this law if they were doing work on navigable waters when a workplace injury occurred. It is important to know what types of workers do not count as longshoremen and are not eligible for compensation under the LHWCA. The following are examples of types of workers who are expressly excluded from eligibility for compensation:
- Seamen, including members of a crew or vessel;
- Government employees;
- Clerical, secretarial, data processors, or other types of office workers, even if it is for a maritime company;
- Security workers, even if they are employed by a company that does dock work;
- Employees of clubs, camps, recreational businesses, restaurants, museums, or retail store, even if they are focused on maritime-related work or located on docks;
- Marina employees that do not perform jobs in construction or related work;
- Suppliers, vendors, and transporters who do temporary jobs for maritime employers; and
- Aquaculture workers.
How to Seek Compensation for a Mississippi Longshoreman Injury
It is important to notify your employer about your injury within 30 days and to seek medical treatment as quickly as possible. For non-emergency care, you will need to fill out a Form LS-1.
Once you have notified your employer and seen a health care provider, you should get in touch with a lawyer who can speak with you about longshoreman injuries in Mississippi and your options for compensation under the LHWCA or through other methods.
Contact Lunsford Baskin & Prieve, PLLC Today
Were you injured while working as a longshoreman or in a related maritime job? You may be able to seek compensation. Contact our experienced Mississippi Longshoreman injury lawyer today for assistance.
