Houston Longshore Injury Claims Lawyer

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Longshore and harbor workers work hard on ports and docks around Houston. However, there are substantial risks that they face every day. If you were injured or a family member lost his or her life while on the job, there is compensation available under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Hiring a Houston longshore injury claims lawyer will help you fight for the benefits and coverage you deserve while navigating the complexities of the LHWCA on your behalf. Legal mistakes can leave a negative impact on your case. Get your case right the first time around by hiring The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja to represent you.

Our firm makes the negotiation or litigation process against insurance companies, negligent parties, and others as transparent as possible.

Compensation Is Available for Injured Longshoremen and Harbor Workers

A compensation claim under the LHWCA is different from one filed under standard workers’ compensation insurance policies. Your Houston longshore injury claims lawyer will help file your case and navigate the administrative process with the US Department of Labor (DOL). 

While every case is unique, our Houston longshore injury claims lawyers will help you fight for the following civil awards as applicable:

• Current and ongoing medical costs
• Current and future lost wages and benefits
• Physical pain and suffering and mental anguish
• Wrongful death benefits for surviving family members
• Lost enjoyment of your life
• Other recoverable awards

Benefits under the LHWCA are more favorable to an injured employee than Texas workman’s compensation laws since they provide for more than medical expenses and disability. If you qualify for LHWCA compensation, then your Houston longshore injury claims lawyer will fight for your rights and protect them throughout the entire claims process.

Our Legal Team Represents the Toughest Longshore and Harbor Accident Injury Cases

Due to the harsh environment of the maritime industry, accidents can occur in several ways. Depending upon the location, severity, and party involvement, an insurance claim can become a complicated dispute that leaves you without the money you need. As such, it is critical to hire a Houston longshore injury claims lawyer that has experience and results when it comes to workplace accident matters. 

The types of cases that The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja represent include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Trip and fall accidents
• Near or accidental drowning
• Electrocution accidents
• Fires and explosions
• Scaffolding accidents
• Equipment malfunctions
• And more

For you to receive a fair award under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, there must be evidence that the injury occurred on the job and that you meet a few other qualifying factors. The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja will examine and analyze your case’s facts and circumstances so that you have a strategic plan for moving forward with your recovery and life.

Longshoremen and Harbor Workers Are Covered by the Act

Since the LHWCA provides more generous benefits than those offered by workman’s comp, there are two factors that your case must satisfy to receive coverage. These two tests are called the status test and the situs test.

Status Test

The status test establishes whether your work is considered maritime work or not. Determining maritime employment status depends upon the amount of time you spend on the job that involves marine transportation, water, or serves a maritime business.

A Houston longshore injury claims lawyer will help the following individuals obtain benefits under the LHWCA:

• Longshoremen
• Harbor workers
• Ship repairmen
• Shipbuilders
• Commercial drivers

Not all employees qualify under the status test. The LHWCA PROHIBITS the following individuals from filing a claim for benefits:

• Administrative marina staff
• Employees working on boats under 65 feet long
• Vessel crewmembers
• Aquaculture workers

Situs Test

Passing the situs test requires you to be an employee working on or near navigable waters. In general, you must be working within one (1) mile and on either a shipyard, wharf, dock, or vessel. A Houston longshore injury claims lawyer on our legal team will help you determine if you qualify for these benefits or other legal options available after your work injury.

Contact The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja Today

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act benefits are available to protect specific maritime workers. However, obtaining a fair settlement or civil award is tricky since it involves an intricate body of law.