There is a new way to file Longshore and Defense Base Act claims. Beginning March 1, 2018, cases may be fax filed using the following number: (202) 513-6814. Case create forms include the:
- LS-201 (Notice of Employee’s Injury or Death);
- LS-202 (Employer’s First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness);
- LS-203 (Employee’s Claim for Compensation); and
- LS-262 (Claim for Death Benefits).
New claims may also be filed by mail. But, there is a new address for filing a new claim. New claims should be sent to: United States Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation, 400 West Bay Street, Suite 63A, Box 28, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Keep in mind that the preferred method for receiving “case create forms” is via facsimile.
More information about the new filing procedures is available on the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation’s website. Specifically, the information is available in Industry Notice 166. There is important, must-know information in the Notice, such as the guidelines for submitting documents via fax.
(In my opinion, this is a great development. The fax filing process will allow for much quicker claim submissions.)
