The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions, provide medical benefits, compensation for lost wages, and rehabilitation services to employees who are injured during the course of employment or contract an occupational disease related to employment. Survivor benefits also are provided if the work-related injury causes the employee's death.
Common Definitions
Admiralty – refers to the common law of the sea, enforced by the federal Courts. Seamen have certain rights and remedies against their employers under Admiralty Law, if injured on the job or during a voyage.
Jones Act – a federal law that extended the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to give injured seamen the right to sue their employer in federal Admiralty courts for their work-related injuries.
Longshore – literally means “along the shore”. Refers to maritime employment, other than work as a seaman. Includes work building and repairing ships, loading and unloading ships, construction or repair of structures to enable waterborne commerce, and other work on or near navigable waters in support of waterborne commerce.
Maritime – generally means “pertaining to the sea”. In connection with the USL&H Act, “maritime” work means work that meets the “situs” and “status” tests, including building and repairing ships, loading and unloading ships, construction or repair of structures that enable waterborne commerce, and other work on or near navigable waters in support of waterborne commerce. Also references work in connection with the Jones Act.
Marina – a property or premises that provides waterfront facilities for recreational boating activities, typically launching, docking, storing, fueling and incidental servicing of boats.
MEL – “Marine Employers Liability” coverage, often provided under a P & I policy or monoline, to protect the employer against his liabilities under the Jones Act and Admiralty law for injury to his employed seamen. Known as