Miami Longshoreman Injury Lawyer

Longshore and harbor work is some of the most dangerous work in South Florida. Spencer Morgan Law represents longshoremen, dock workers, crane operators, ship repairers, and other harbor workers who are hurt loading and unloading vessels or working on the waterfront. If you were injured at a Miami-area port, terminal, shipyard, or dock, our Miami longshoreman injury lawyers can help you secure the federal benefits you are owed and identify any additional claims against the people who caused your injury.

Federal Protection for Longshore and Harbor Workers

Most longshore and harbor workers are not covered by Florida’s workers’ compensation system. Instead, their injuries fall under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The law covers workers injured on navigable waters and on adjoining areas used for loading, unloading, building, or repairing vessels, such as piers, wharves, dry docks, and marine terminals.

The LHWCA generally provides:

• Medical treatment for the work injury, including care from a doctor you choose
• Disability compensation, generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to maximum limits set each year
• Benefits for permanent impairments, such as the loss of use of an arm, leg, or hand
• Death benefits for surviving family members when a worker is killed on the job

Employers and their insurers often dispute these claims, cut off benefits early, or push injured workers back to the job before they have healed. Having a lawyer who understands the federal process can make a real difference in what you receive.

Common Causes of Longshore Injuries

Waterfront work combines heavy cargo, moving equipment, and constant time pressure. Longshore injuries often result from:

• Falling or swinging containers and cargo loads
• Crane, forklift, and straddle carrier accidents
• Falls from gangways, ladders, decks, and into open hatches
• Defective or poorly maintained gear, cables, and lashing equipment
• Slippery decks and docks, especially during South Florida’s frequent rain
• Being struck by trucks and other vehicles moving through the terminal

These incidents frequently cause back and spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, amputations, fractures, and head trauma that can keep a worker off the docks for months or end a career entirely.

Claims Beyond Longshore Benefits

Under the LHWCA, workers’ compensation is usually the only remedy against your direct employer, but it is not always the only recovery available. When someone else contributed to the injury, a separate personal injury claim may be possible. That can include the owner of a vessel that failed to warn of a hidden hazard or turn over a reasonably safe ship, a terminal operator or contractor that is not your employer, or the manufacturer of a defective crane or piece of equipment.

These third-party claims can recover damages the LHWCA does not pay, such as pain and suffering and full lost wages. Because benefits and third-party claims affect each other, including through liens and the employer’s consent to settlements, the two should be handled together from the start.

Longshoremen, Seamen, and State Workers’ Compensation

Getting the classification right matters, because each category of worker has different rights. Crew members who work aboard a vessel in navigation are generally treated as seamen under the Jones Act and general maritime law rather than the LHWCA. Some waterfront workers, depending on their duties and where they were hurt, may fall under Florida workers’ compensation instead. If you are unsure which system applies to you, that question is one of the first things we sort out. Workers hurt aboard vessels may also want to read about our boat accident and cruise ship injury cases, and land-based workers can learn more about other workplace accident claims.

Why Injured Harbor Workers Choose Spencer Morgan Law

Spencer Morgan Law is a boutique Miami injury firm led by Spencer G. Morgan, who began his career defending insurance companies and corporations and has represented only injured people since 2001. That background gives the firm a clear view of how employers, insurers, and vessel owners try to limit what they pay. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless we recover for you, and our team is available 24/7, speaks Spanish, and will meet you at home or in the hospital.

Miami Longshoreman Injury FAQs

How quickly do I need to report a longshore injury?

You should report the injury to your employer right away. Under the LHWCA, written notice generally must be given within 30 days of the injury, or of when you became aware the injury was related to your work. A formal claim for compensation generally must be filed within one year, with longer periods for some occupational diseases.

Can I choose my own doctor under the LHWCA?

Yes. The LHWCA generally allows an injured worker to choose an initial treating physician. Changing doctors later usually requires approval, so it is worth making that first choice carefully.

Can I sue my employer for a longshore injury?

In most cases, no. LHWCA benefits are generally the exclusive remedy against your employer. You may still have a negligence claim against a vessel owner or another third party whose actions contributed to your injury.

What if my employer’s insurer stops paying benefits?

Disputes over benefits go through the Department of Labor’s informal conference process and, if necessary, a hearing before an administrative law judge. A lawyer can challenge an improper termination and pursue the benefits you are owed.

What if a loved one was killed in a waterfront accident?

The LHWCA provides death benefits to eligible surviving family members, and a wrongful death claim may also be available against a negligent third party. We can explain both options and help your family pursue them.

Speak With a Miami Longshoreman Injury Lawyer

If you were hurt working on a Miami-area dock, terminal, or vessel, call Spencer Morgan Law at 305-423-3800 for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, we speak Spanish, and there is never a fee or cost to you unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.