After successfully improving dispute resolution outcomes, the Longshore Division adopted a new focus in FY 2010 aimed at improving program effectiveness by facilitating the prompt delivery of benefits to injured workers and their families. Two new performance goals target the timeliness of the Employer's First Report of Injury and the First Payment of Compensation, thereby improving initial claims processing and benefit delivery outcomes. The "First Report of Injury" measure tracks the time from the date of the injury or death, or the date of the employer's knowledge of the injury and the onset of disability, whichever is later, to the date the Longshore District Office receives the Employer's First Report of Injury (Form LS-202). The "First Payment" measure tracks the time it takes the employer or insurance carrier to issue the First Payment of Compensation after the worker becomes disabled for work or after the worker's death.

From the beginning of FY 2010 through the end of FY 2012, the Longshore Program plans to increase by 55% the number of Defense Base Act (DBA) cases in which employers submit their First Reports of Injury within 30 days, and by 50% the number of DBA cases in which employers or carriers issue the First Payments of Compensation within 30 days. Although the law requires the First Report of Injury to be filed within 10 days, given the circumstances under which DBA cases arise, including the often remote location where injuries occur and difficulties in communication, the 30-day timeframe is not unreasonable as the first step in improving claim processing. Under the law, the First Payment of Compensation is considered late if not paid within 28 days of entitlement. Beginning in FY 2011, the Longshore Program added the same two measures targeting non-DBA cases. Results of the non-DBA measures will be posted shortly after the close of FY2011.

Performance results are shown in the tables below.

Table 1. Percent of 1st Reports of Injury Filed Within 30 Days - DBA Cases Only
Fiscal Year	Performance Target	Performance Result	Number of Cases Reported	Number of Cases Within 30 Days
2009 (baseline)		55%	6662	3655
2010 (final)	65%	74%	8975	6690
2011 (final)	75%	79%	6494	5141
2012	80%

Table 2. Percent of 1st Payments Issued Within 30 Days - DBA Cases Only
Fiscal Year	Performance Target	Performance Result	Number of Cases Reported	Number of Cases Within 30 Days
2009 (baseline)		43%	1909	825
2010 (final)	50%	55%	2315	1286
2011 (final)	58%	56%	2350	1314
2012	60%

Table 3. Percent of 1st Reports of Injury Filed Within 30 Days - non-DBA Cases (LS, OC, NF)
Fiscal Year	Performance Target	Performance Result	Number of Cases Reported	Number of Cases Within 30 Days
2010 (baseline)		72%	12088	8651
2011 (final)	78%	79%	12210	9588
2012	85%

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