By Industry Notice No. 173 dated September 12, 2019, The U.S. Department of Labor, which administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA, or the Longshore Act), has announced the new National Average Weekly Wage (NAWW) effective October 1, 2019, and consequently the new maximum and minimum rates for weekly benefits under Section 910(f) of the Longshore Act.
The new NAWW effective for the period October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020, is $780.04. This represents a 3.26% increase over the October 1, 2018 NAWW. All beneficiaries receiving permanent total disability or related death benefits as of September 30, 2019, receive a 3.26% increase in their weekly rate.
The weekly rates for temporary total disability and permanent partial disability are subject to the maximum rate that is applicable on the date of injury. These benefits are not increased annually.
The new NAWW provides the new maximum and minimum weekly rates. Effective October 1, 2019, the maximum weekly rate under the Longshore Act is 200% of the NAWW, or $1,560.08. The new minimum weekly rate is 50% of the NAWW, so it is $390.02.