Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act Recent Decisions

Pedroza v. BRB, 2009 WL 3128075 (9th Cir. 2009)

In a matter of first impression,the Ninth Circuit held that psychological injuries arising from personnel actions are not compensable under the LHWCA as “[s]uch injuries are not caused by working conditions and they are not work related.” See 33 U.S.C. § 902(2). Under the Marino-Sewell doctrine psychological injuries are compensable, if the claimant can demonstrate that they were caused by general working conditions and not legitimate personnel decisions.

Green-Brown v. Sealand Servs., Inc., No. 08-1236 (4th Cir. 2009)

Reversing the Board and the ALJ, the Fourth Circuit held that the LHWCA mandates hearing loss compensation be based on AMA Guides. Congress enacted §908(c)(13)(E) in 1984 to establish uniform standards for determining compensable hearing loss under the LHWCA.

Other significant recent decisions can be found on the USDOL/OALJ’s web site.

If you or someone you know has been injured while working offshore, please contact the experienced lawyers of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers.