The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)


Frequently Asked Questions

OVERVIEW

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides employment-injury and occupational-disease protection to approximately 500,000 workers who are injured or contract occupational diseases occurring on the navigable waters of the United States, or in adjoining areas, and for certain other classes of workers covered by extensions of this Act.

These benefits are paid directly by an authorized self-insured employer; or through an authorized insurance carrier; or, in particular circumstances, by a special fund administered directly by the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs within the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE MATERIALS

BASIC INFORMATION

FACT SHEETS

APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

  • The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) - Provides compensation and medical care to employees disabled from injuries that occur on the navigable waters of the United States or in adjoining areas used in loading, unloading, repairing or building a vessel. Survivor benefits also are provided if the work-related injury causes the employee's death.

  • 20 CFR Parts 701 to 704 - Regulations governing the administration of the LHWCA.

  • The Defense Base Act - Provides workers compensation protection to civilian employees working outside the United States under a contract with the U.S. government.

  • War Hazards Compensation Act - Provides compensation for the injury, disability, death, or enemy detention of employees of contractors with the United States, and for other purposes.

  • Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - Provides information on coverage under the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act for employees working on the Outer Continental Shelf in the exploration and the development of natural resources.

  • Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act – Provides information on coverage under the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to certain civilian employees of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities of the Armed Forces such as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard exchanges.

  • District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act - Provides information on coverage under the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act for disability or death resulting from injury to employees in certain employment in the District of Columbia who sustained injuries or illnesses as a result of employment prior to July 26, 1982.

DOL CONTACTS*

  • Employment Standards Administration (ESA)
    Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
    Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC)
    200 Constitution Avenue, NW
    Room C-4315
    Washington, DC 20210
    Email: DLHWC-Public@dol.gov
    Tel: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365), or 202-693-0038
    TTY: 1-877-889-5627
    Local Offices

  • For questions on other DOL laws,
    please call DOL's Toll-Free Help Line at 1-866-4-USA-DOL. Live assistance is available in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional service is available in more than 140 languages through a translation service.
    Tel: 1-866-4-USA-DOL
    TTY: 1-877-889-5627

*Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Labor's Confidentiality Protocol for Compliance Assistance Inquiries, information provided by a telephone caller will be kept confidential within the bounds of the law. Compliance assistance inquiries will not trigger an inspection, audit, investigation, etc.