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Houston Longshore Worker Compensation Lawyers
When you’re injured working at a dock, terminal, port, or shipyard, your legal rights are protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). At Gomez Law Firm, our Houston maritime attorneys help longshore workers, shipyard workers, and harbor employees secure the medical care, disability benefits, and compensation they deserve.
Why LHWCA Matters for Longshore Workers in Houston & the Gulf Coast
Ports, harbors, and terminals in Texas and across the Gulf are hubs of intense activity. Crane operations, shifting cargo, heavy machinery, confined spaces, and hazardous materials all contribute to danger. Longshore, dock, terminal, mechanics, and harbor workers face unique risks every day.
LHWCA provides a federal compensation system specifically tailored for these workers — it’s not dependent on proving negligence against your employer. But it has strict rules and time limits that must be met.
Who Is Covered & What Injuries Qualify?
Covered Workers & Status / Situs Tests
To qualify under LHWCA, your work must satisfy:
- Status test — You perform maritime or maritime‐adjacent tasks (loading, unloading, repairs, maintenance, crane operation, dock work)
- Situs test — Your injury must occur on navigable waters or adjoining land (docks, terminals, shipyards)
Common Injuries Covered
Under LHWCA, you may claim compensation for:
- Drowning, fractures, back & neck injury
- Amputations, paralysis, brain injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries (e.g. to wrists, shoulders)
- Blast / combustion / fire injuries
- Chemical exposure, hearing loss, vision damage
- Cumulative conditions arising from long‑term exposure
Who Is Typically Excluded
- Seamen (covered under Jones Act)
- Clerical/office workers not engaged in maritime tasks
- State or federal employees
- Recreational boat workers
Benefits & Relief Available under LHWCA
Medical Coverage & Treatment
You are entitled to all reasonable medical treatment for your injury — diagnosis, surgery, physical therapy, diagnostics, prescriptions.
Disability Compensation
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Rehabilitation / Vocational Services
If you can’t return to your prior job, LHWCA may provide retraining or job placement services.
Survivor / Death Benefits
If a worker dies from a longshore workplace injury, family members may be eligible for funeral expenses and ongoing support.
- Negligent vessel owners (e.g. ship unseaworthiness, defective equipment)
- Marine terminal operators failing safety standards
- Outside contractors whose negligence contributed to your injury
Rehabilitation / Vocational Services
If you can’t return to your prior job, LHWCA may provide retraining or job placement services.
Survivor / Death Benefits
If a worker dies from a longshore workplace injury, family members may be eligible for funeral expenses and ongoing support.
Legal Claims & Liabilities Beyond LHWCA
Though LHWCA is a no-fault compensation system, in certain circumstances you can bring civil claims against:
- Negligent vessel owners (e.g. ship unseaworthiness, defective equipment)
- Marine terminal operators failing safety standards
- Outside contractors whose negligence contributed to your injury
Under these claims, you must prove fault/defect, and these claims often run parallel to or after LHWCA benefits.
Understanding Deadlines & Critical Timing
Notice Requirements
- You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days after occurrence or after you become aware of your injury.
Claim Filing Deadline
- A formal claim (via the LS‑203 form) must be filed within 1 year from the date of injury or from last compensation payment.
Wrongful Death Claims
- Claims for fatal injuries must be filed within 1 year from the date of death.
Failure to meet notice or filing deadlines can bar your claim permanently.
Call (713) 868‑5528 now to preserve your rights — don’t wait.
What You Should Do After a Longshore Injury
- Report your injury in writing to your supervisor or employer
- Seek medical care immediately (authorized providers under LHWCA)
- Document the incident — photographs, witness names, work logs
- Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and communications
- Avoid signing any releases or statements offered by employer/insurer
- Consult a Houston LHWCA attorney before accepting any settlement
Proven Results – Case Examples
- $1.2M settlement for dockworker crushed by heavy container loader
- $950K awarded to a shipyard welder with spinal injury
- $600K recovery for crane operator with permanent partial disability
These cases demonstrate our experience in handling complex LHWCA matters. (Past results are not guaranteed.)
Client Testimonials
We’re proud to have a 4.9 / 5.0 Google review rating from over 300 clients and an A+ BBB rating. Our attorneys are recognized by maritime legal associations and local trial lawyer rankings.
Related Practice Areas & Resources
Serving Houston, Galveston & the Gulf Region
We represent longshore and maritime workers all over:
- Port Houston / Houston Ship Channel
- Galveston Bay & Port of Galveston
- Port of Freeport, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur, Brownsville
Houston Office
1613 Witte Road, Houston, TX 77080
(713) 868‑5528
Brownsville Office
876 West Price Road, Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 541‑6480
We represent injured passengers and crew from Galveston cruises, Texas Gulf ports, and the Gulf of Mexico.
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