Longshore Workers’ Comp Lawyers

The Difference Between Longshore Workers’ Comp & Jones Act Cases

Maritime workers face unique hazards in an industry where powerful machinery, heavy cargo, unstable working surfaces, and unpredictable weather create daily risks. When injuries occur in maritime settings, workers often encounter a complex set of laws that differ significantly from standard workers’ compensation systems.

Two primary federal laws provide protection for maritime workers: the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) and the Jones Act. While both laws address work-related injuries in maritime environments, they operate under different principles, cover different worker classifications, and provide substantially different remedies.

Understanding the difference between these two sources of benefits for injured maritime workers can dramatically impact the benefits you receive. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act functions as a no-fault workers’ compensation system, providing guaranteed but limited benefits regardless of who caused the injury. In contrast, the Jones Act operates under maritime “tort” law, potentially allowing for much larger benefits in cases where negligence can be proven. But collecting benefits under the Jones Act also requires establishing fault.

Mis-identifying which law applies to your situation can lead to pursuing benefits under the wrong system, which can potentially result in significantly reduced compensation or even complete claim denial. But determining which law applies isn’t always straightforward. The line between “seaman” status under the Jones Act and “harbor worker” status under the LHWCA involves legal tests developed through decades of court decisions. These classifications don’t always align with job titles or employer designations, and many maritime workers operate in gray areas where their coverage could potentially fall under either system depending on specific work patterns and vessel connections.

At Cantrell Green in Long Beach, our experienced longshore lawyers have spent decades helping injured maritime workers navigate these complex legal distinctions. We’ve represented hundreds of clients in determining whether their cases fall under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act or the Jones Act – helping ensure they receive maximum compensation. Our longshore lawyers specialized legal experience proves prevents costly mis-classification errors that could significantly impact recovery options.

What Applies to Me: Longshore Act or Jones Act?

Both Longshore Workers’ Compensation & Jones Act Cases provide financial compensation for injuries sustained while working at sea. However, due to the complicated nature of the laws covering both types of claims, it can be difficult to determine which kind of case to pursue after suffering an offshore injury.

Whether you work primarily on shore at a marine terminal, spend most of your time aboard vessels, or divide your time between both environments, understanding which federal maritime law protects you is essential for securing your rights after a work-related injury. The analysis in this article examines the critical differences between these two laws and explains how proper classification can significantly affect your benefits, legal options, and financial recovery.

Our experienced Long Beach Longshore lawyers are often asked by injured seaman if they qualify for Longshore Workers’ Comp Benefits, Jones Act Compensation, or even both. Each type of case offers different amounts of compensation, and has their own specific certain eligibility requirements. In this article our experienced Long Beach Longshore lawyers explain the differences between these two type of cases and when you can qualify for them.

Eligibility:

Longshore Workers’ Compensation Eligibility

Longshore Workers Compensation covers most employees who were engaged in any maritime employment, including: longshoremen; harbor workers; ship repairmen; shipbuilders; ship-breakers; ship loading or unloading workers; and others performing traditional maritime employment.

Additionally, these employees are eligible for Longshore Workers Comp as long as their injury occurred upon the navigable waters of the United States or on any adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal, building way, marine railway, or other adjoining area customarily used in loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel.

Jones Act Eligibility

The Jones Act, however only provides protection for actual seamen, i.e. employee who actually worked on a vessel and contributed to the operation and maintenance of the ship.

Typically, at least 30% of an employee’s time must have been spent working on the ship in order for them to be considered a seaman.

Fault:

Injuries Qualifying for Longshore Workers’ Compensation

Longshore Workers Comp provides mandatory benefits for any illness, injury or disability caused by or resulting from work duties, working conditions or an accident occurring while working.

There is no element of “fault” or negligence that must be proven to collect benefits in a Longshore Workers Comp case. As long as the qualifying employee was injured or made ill at work, he or she is entitled to Longshore Workers Comp benefits.

Injuries Qualifying for a Jones Act Claim

Jones Act Cases are far more limited in the type of injuries that qualify for compensation. A seaman filing a Jones Act claim must prove that the negligence of their employer or another coworker caused their injuries.

Additionally “unseaworthiness” – which refers to an employer’s inability to maintain the safety of the ship at all time – must be demonstrated in Jones Act Case.

In other words, fault is not an issue in a Longshore Workers Comp case, while negligence must be proven in a Jones Act Case.

Benefits:

Benefits in a Longshore Workers’ Compensation Case

In Longshore Comp cases the employer is responsible for covering or reimbursing for all medical costs and any future care. Victim are also entitled to a set percentage of their average weekly wage during the time they are unable to work. In general this amount is roughly about 66.66% of their previous income.

Benefits in a Jones Act Case

One of the biggest difference between Jones Act cases and Longshore Workers’ Comp claims is the amount of damages that can be recovered. Jones Act cases typically result in a much higher compensation award.

In addition to compensation for medical care, damages for pain and suffering, and emotional trauma can be awarded in a Jones Act case. And, unlike workers comp lost-wage compensation (which is capped at a partial percentage) the Jones Act can provide for complete reimbursement of all lost wages.

But while the compensation in Jones Act cases is higher, it is a more difficult and complex process. Longshore Workers Comp cases require filing out an application, while Jones Act Cases actually require the injured employ to sue the employer by filing a law suit in a court of law.

 Long Beach Longshore Workers Comp Lawyers

If you were injured or made ill while working in a maritime environment, we encourage you to call on our skilled and experienced Long Beach Longshore Workers Comp lawyer. We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements for longshore, maritime and dock workers in Southern California and across the United States.

Our experienced longshore lawyers offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and advise you on the best legal avenue to pursue in your unique situation, to ensure you collect the maximum Longshore Workers Comp for which you qualify.

Free Long Beach Longshore Consultation: 800-964-8047