Longshoremen & Dock Workers

Compensation for Shipyard Accidents Involving Shore-Side Workers

Stevedores. Dockers. Longshoremen. Dock workers. Those who work the docks, loading and unloading cargo and container ships, have many names—and just as many ways to sustain injuries or be killed while on the job. Working with heavy loading and unloading equipment, lifting and stowing cargo, and handling hazardous materials all carry the risk of injury to these onshore workers.

If you are a longshoreman or dock worker injured in a shipyard accident, you may be entitled to compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the Jones Act and possibly even state workers’ compensation—if negligence is a factor. Under these laws, you may be entitled to compensation for injury, lost wages, medical expenses and more.

Rapid Resolution for Maximum Compensation

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act allows claims up to one year after the injury occurred. Miss that deadline, and you are limiting your ability to collect the money you deserve. Latti & Anderson can work quickly on your behalf, quickly filing your claim so you don’t miss out.

Maritime Experience That’s Essential in Addressing Shipyard Accidents

If you’re injured in a dockside or shipyard accident, you need an experienced attorney who can examine your situation and apply the correct law to ensure that you receive maximum compensation. Latti & Anderson has 45 years of experience in successfully securing compensation for onshore maritime workers under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. We know the intricacies of maritime law as it applies to dockside workers, and we have the settlements to prove it.

Do you have a Third Party case?

If you get hurt at work as the result of the negligence or someone who is not a co-employee and you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under the Longshore Act or a state workers’ compensation, you may have the right to bring a “third party” case against that person or that person’s employer.  A person who is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits may not file a lawsuit against his employer or his co-workers, but, if someone who is not a co-worker negligently causes your injury, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against him or his employer.

For example, if you are a longshoreman loading a container onto a truck or chassis, and a truck driver from another company runs into you and injures you, you would be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under the Longshore Act, but you would also be entitled to bring a “third party” case against that truck driver and his employer for damages including lost earnings, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

However, if you are a longshoreman who is injured at work and think that you might have a “third party” case, you must act quickly.  A longshoreman only has a short period of time, as little as six months, to ensure that he has exclusive control over his right to bring a “third party” lawsuit.  If you do not take action within this time period, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company could actually file the “third party” lawsuit on your behalf and could decide how much money to settle the lawsuit for.

If you are a longshoreman who is injured at work, make sure to talk to the experienced professionals at Latti & Anderson.  Call us at 1-800-392-6072.
 

Latti & Anderson clients have included:

• Harbor workers
• Crane operators
• Longshoremen
• Dock workers
• Stevedores
• Shipbuilders

If you sustained injuries in a shipyard accident while working at a dry dock, suffered a crane accident while unloading a container ship or were hurt while employed in the shipbuilding industry, you may qualify for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Contact us to learn about your rights under the law.