Louisiana dockworkers, oil rig workers and others may not realize that the amount of compensation varies that they can obtain for injuries suffered on the job. Each year, the U.S. Department of Labor must make adjustments to the benefits available under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. These changes are made in order to ensure that those receiving compensation under the act obtain an amount that they can actually live on.
These changes occur every Oct. 1 and remain in effect through Sept. 30 of the following year. The Secretary of Labor reviews the average weekly income across the country through June 30 in order to determine what adjustments are necessary to the minimum and maximum amounts injured workers may obtain under the act. For this year, the national average weekly wage (NAWW) was determined to be $755.38.
Therefore, the minimum amount of compensation an injured worker who falls under the act may receive is $377.69 per week from Oct. 1, 2018 through Sept. 30, 2019. This number represents 50 percent of the NAWW. The maximum amount that may be received during that same time is $1,510.76, which represents 200 percent over the NAWW. Even though this may be the amount most workers are concerned with, changes to other benefits are made each year as well.
Figuring out exactly what a particular Louisiana resident would be entitled to under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act would more than likely take some research since the basic formula for the amount is derived from two-thirds of a particular individual’s weekly income. However, it may not go below or above the maximums mentioned above. Since obtaining this and other benefits under the act is often more complex than initially anticipated, it may be a good idea to discuss the matter with an attorney.
