The Fifth Circuit issued an opinion on November 17, 2016, in Robert Deperrodil v. Bozovic Marine, Inc., (No. 16-30009). In a case involving the injury to a passenger aboard a crew boat in high seas, the District Court was called upon to determine whether under the collateral-source rule the plaintiff could recover $186,080.30, which
Proposed LHWCA Maximum Compensation Change May Concern Some Employers
The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, posted proposed rules affecting section 906 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act 33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq., Federal Register, Volume 81, No. 166, August 26, 2016. The Department invited written comments on the proposed regulations from interested parties by October 25,
OCSLA Coverage for Land Injuries Has Limits
James Baker, Jr. v. Director, OWCP; Gulf Island Marine Fabricators, LLC, U.S. Fifth Circuit No. 15-60634 (August 19, 2016). In this case the Court of Appeals affirmed the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) determination that Mr. Baker, an employee of Gulf Island Marine Fabricators, LLC (Gulf Island) did not qualify for benefits under the
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! Preventing the Application of the Section 20(a) Presumption with Surveillance
The recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Bis Salamis, Inc. v. Director, OWCP (Joseph Meeks), No. 15-60148 (March 17, 2016), highlights how the defense to a claim under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 33 USC 901 et.seq. (LHWCA), can have a tortured journey through the
OWCP on Verge of Amending Regulations to Include Electronic Submissions
On Thursday, March 12, 2015, the Department of Labor Office of Workers Compensation Program (OWCP) filed in the Federal Register (Volume 80, No. 48) a direct final rule and request for comments with regard to changes to OWCP regulations intended to broaden the acceptable methods by which claimants, employers and insurers can communicate with OWCP
A Beach Vacation from the Longshore Act
In an unpublished per curiam decision, Global Management Enterprises, LLC v. Commerce & Industry Insurance Company, No. 13-31249, filed June 23, 2014, Judges Davis, Benavides and Prado determined that a
That’s Not My Kid! Board Clarifies Definition of “Child” under the Longshore Act
On February 25, 2014, the Benefits Review Board rendered its decision in Smith v. Mt. Mitchell, LLC, ____BRBS____ (D.O.L. Ben. Rev. Bd. Feb. 25, 2014), which affirmed an Administrative Law Judge’s decision and order, clarifying the meaning of
Employer’s Notice of Controversion (LS-207) Does Not Eviscerate Holding of Andrepont
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Lincoln v. Director OWCP (Ceres Marine Terminals, Inc.) No. 13-1594 (March 11, 2014), was recently asked to address the effect of the employer filing a notice of controversion (LS-207) on the employer’s responsibility, vel non, for the payment of the claimant’s attorney’s
The Further Adventures of the Fifth Circuit and the LHWCA Jurisdiction Test
On Tuesday, October 8, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in BPU Management, Inc. v DOWCP (Donald Morgan) again addressed jurisdictional coverage under The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Following on the heels of New Orleans Depot Services, Inc., (NODSI) v. DOWCP, 718 Fed. 3rd 384,
Fifth Circuit Narrows “Adjoining Area” Definition in LHWCA Jurisdiction Test
On April 29, 2013, the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion for the en banc Court in New Orleans Depot Services, Inc. v. Director OWCP, 718 F.3d 384 (5th Cir. 2013) that effectively reformulated the 1972 situs jurisdictional requirement under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 U.S.C. sec. 901 et.seq. The Court