A recently avoided dockworkers strike affecting the Eastern part of the country and the Gulf Coast would have impacts on both the economy and longshoremen throughout the rest of the country. All longshoremen who are still on the job would be called upon to work harder and additional hours to fill the additional demand if capacity is shifted to other parts that are still in operation. If you are an injured dockworker, a Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act attorney at BoatLaw, LLP can help you claim the benefits you may deserve if you have been hurt on the job.
Call the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act Lawyers at BoatLaw, LLP to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Our lawyers will take the time to listen before we provide you with legal advocacy and strategic advice for your case.
How the Dockworker Strike Would Affect West Coast Ports
Depending on how long a port worker strike lasts on the East Coast and Gulf, some of the volume may be shifted to the West Coast ports. Currently, large ports in the Western United States still have some excess capacity to handle extra cargo. For example, the Port of Los Angeles is currently operating at 80% capacity, and there is room to increase it. The labor issues that are affecting the other parts of the country are not a problem on the West Coast because there is a different union that currently has a ratified contract.
Activity has already picked up on West Coast ports throughout the year. Shippers have already anticipated some of the labor strife on the East Coast, and they have moved their business accordingly. By August, volume at the Los Angeles port had increased 17% on a year-over-year basis. Los Angeles has the ability to handle 1.2 million teu (twenty-foot equivalent unit) per month, although it has never handled much more than one million in a month (which it did in May 2021, prior to the global supply chain logjam caused by the pandemic).
Longshoremen on the West Coast would soon feel an impact on their own jobs from the strike in other parts of the country. When ports are working at 100% capacity, workers are at much greater risk of injury. Even though their jobs are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, they will be asked to do far more. They would be forced to work much harder during their shifts, and they may even need to work overtime to meet the increased demand.
Overuse Injuries from Extra Work
Workers who are under sustained pressure on the job could suffer overuse injuries from being forced to work even harder to meet demand. These overuse injuries can include:
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Nerve damage
- Occupational illnesses from fatigue and overwork
When ports are forced to operate at close to 100% capacity, there is a greater chance that longshoremen may be injured on the job. They could suffer injuries in one-time accidents that result from more pressure and reduced safety standards. In their haste and drive to increase capacity, supervisors may not institute and follow the necessary protocols to protect workers. For example, a longshoreman could suffer a fall when they slip on a dangerous work surface. They could sustain a lumbar strain, or another type of serious back injury, when they are picking up something heavy.
Risks of Longshoremen Injury After an Extended Amount of Time Off
Longshoremen who return to work after an extended amount of time away from the job could also suffer injuries. Their bodies may not be as used to handling intensive physical labor. Their employers may be in a hurry to restore full capacity as soon as possible and to address any backlogs because of a work stoppage. Employers may cut corners to get things moving again as quickly as possible, placing pressure on longshoremen to increase capacity at a time when they may be acclimating to physical work. The result may be an upsurge in injuries when dock workers return to the job.
Land-based dockworkers are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your work-related injury. Your workers’ compensation benefits could pay you two-thirds of your average weekly wage before your injury, along with medical expenses. You must report your injury to your employer within thirty days of being hurt or learning that you were injured on the job.
Contact a Longshoreman and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Law Firm Today
If you are an injured dock or maritime employee, reach out to a Longshoreman and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act lawyer to learn more about whether you may be entitled to benefits. Call us today at 1-800-BOATLAW, or send us a message through our website, to schedule a free initial consultation. Given some of the tight timeframes, you may need to act quickly.
Douglas R. Williams was raised in a military family. After retiring from the armed forces, his father sailed as the chief medical officer with many of the most popular cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. When not in school, Doug spent a good part of his youth in the crew quarters sailing with his father on cruise ships. He developed a practical knowledge of the maritime industry from a young age. Learn More here.
