Longshore Injury Doctors in Los Angeles | LHWCA | Federal Injury Centers
Treating injured longshore & harbor workers at the Ports of LA & Long Beach
📞 (310) 540-8333 📍 Torrance, CA 90503 Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM
Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation (LHWCA)

Injured on the docks? You're covered under the Longshore Act — and you choose your doctor.

If you were hurt working the Ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach, you're not under FECA — you're protected by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). Federal Injury Centers treats injured longshoremen and harbor workers, documents your LS forms, and coordinates directly with your employer's insurance carrier so your care is covered.

Request a Free Consultation Call (310) 540-8333
You chooseYour treating doctor — by law
LA & LBPorts of Los Angeles & Long Beach
LS formsLS-1 · LS-201 · LS-203 handled
Injured longshore worker at the Port of Los Angeles treated under the LHWCA by Federal Injury Centers
● LHWCA / DLHWC Experienced
● You Choose Your Doctor
● We Complete Your LS Forms
● Ports of LA & Long Beach
● Care Billed to the Carrier
Different work. Different law. Different doctor requirements.

Longshoremen aren't covered by FECA — they're covered by the LHWCA

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act is a federal program that covers maritime and dock workers — longshoremen, harbor workers, shipbuilders, ship repairers, and marine terminal workers — who are injured on the navigable waters of the United States or in the adjoining areas like piers, docks, and terminals. It's administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC), part of OWCP. Choosing a medical team that understands the Longshore Act — and documents it correctly — is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your claim.

LHWCA vs. FECA / OWCP

Know which system covers you

Both are administered by OWCP, but they are two separate programs with different coverage, different payers, and different forms. Here's the distinction that matters for injured longshoremen.

LHWCA — Longshore & Harbor Workers

Division of Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC)
Who's coveredLongshoremen, harbor workers, shipbuilders, ship repairers & marine terminal workers injured on navigable waters or adjoining piers, docks & terminals.
Who paysYour employer or its insurance carrier — not the federal government.
Choose your doctorYes — you select your own treating physician.
Key formsLS-1 (treatment), LS-201 (notice, 30 days), LS-203 (claim, 1 year).
Where you workThe waterfront — Ports of LA & Long Beach, San Pedro, Wilmington.

FECA — Federal Civilian Employees

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (OWCP)
Who's coveredFederal civilian employees — USPS, TSA, VA, BOP, DOD, and other agencies.
Who paysThe U.S. Department of Labor pays the claim directly.
Choose your doctorYes — you select your own treating physician.
Key formsCA-1, CA-2, CA-17, CA-20.
Where you workFederal facilities and worksites.
Not a longshore worker? See our FECA / federal workers compensation page instead.
Waterfront injuries we treat

Dock work is hard on the body. We treat what the job does to it.

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Back & Spine Injuries

Herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic low-back injuries from lifting, twisting, and operating heavy equipment on the docks.

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Shoulder, Knee & Joint

Rotator cuff tears, knee injuries, and joint damage from lashing, climbing, and repetitive container work.

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Crush & Impact Trauma

Injuries from cargo, containers, cranes, forklifts, and vehicle incidents in the terminal.

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Repetitive Strain

Occupational conditions that build over years on the waterfront — documented for your LHWCA claim.

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Slips, Trips & Falls

Falls from height, gangways, and slick decks — with the medical documentation your claim requires.

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Pain Management & Rehab

Chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, and a return-to-work plan built around your recovery.

The Longshore claim process

From injury to care — and we handle the paperwork

The LHWCA runs on strict deadlines and specific forms. Miss a step and your benefits can be delayed or denied. Our team makes sure the medical side is documented right, on time.

  1. Report your injury & request treatment (LS-1)Notify your employer right away and request Form LS-1 authorization for medical care.
  2. File written notice (LS-201) — within 30 daysSubmit notice of your injury to your employer within 30 days.
  3. Choose us as your treating doctorThe LHWCA gives you the right to pick your own physician — that's us.
  4. We treat & documentWe provide care and prepare the medical documentation your carrier and the DLHWC require.
  5. File your claim (LS-203) — within 1 yearYour claim for compensation is filed within one year of injury or last payment.
Meet Our Doctors

A team longshoremen across the harbor trust with their recovery

Dr. Kari Hawkins and the Federal Injury Centers team have built their practice around injured workers who depend on getting the claim right — including longshore and harbor workers from the LA/Long Beach waterfront. We know the LHWCA process, we document it thoroughly, and we treat you like the essential worker you are.

Dr. Kari A. Hawkins, DC, Executive Director treating injured longshore workers in Los Angeles

Dr. Kari A. Hawkins, DC

Executive Director

Executive Director of Federal Injury Centers and Advanced Integrative Medical Center in Redondo Beach. Dr. Hawkins is experienced in treating injured longshore and harbor workers under the LHWCA and injured federal workers under FECA, and leads sister clinics in San Diego and Las Vegas.

Dr. Cary D. Nelson, MD, Medical Director at Federal Injury Centers Los Angeles

Dr. Cary D. Nelson, MD

Medical Director

Board-certified family practitioner and Medical Director of Federal Injury Centers. Dr. Nelson oversees medical treatment, diagnostics, and the physician documentation that supports each injured worker's Longshore or federal compensation claim.

5.0 ★ on Google — 22 reviews

What injured workers say

★★★★★

"I love Dr. Hawkins and Michelle! I always feel so welcomed. I also feel like they genuinely care about my health and recovery. I was rear ended and needed a chiropractor and I'm so glad my lawyer found Dr. Hawkins."

— Alisa Van-Truong
★★★★★

"I would recommend Dr Hawkins to everyone. After only a few visits I am able to sleep through the night without back pain. The office has such a positive atmosphere. Dr. Hawkins has very flexible schedule for your appointments."

— Doug Arron
★★★★★

"I love Dr. Hawkins and her staff. They've helped me out in two different back issues. Dr. Hawkins is attentive and friendly. Great suggestions and always following up to make sure I was healing and doing ok."

— Manuel Grimaldo
Longshore injury doctor near the ports

Serving the LA/Long Beach waterfront

Our office is at 21250 Hawthorne Blvd #250, Torrance, CA 90503, a short drive from the harbor. We treat injured longshore and harbor workers from across the port complex:

Port of Los AngelesPort of Long BeachSan Pedro WilmingtonLong BeachCarsonHarbor City TorranceSouth Bay
Federal Injury Centers office near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Torrance CA
Answers for injured longshore workers

Longshore & Harbor Workers' Comp FAQ

What is the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA)?
The LHWCA is a federal workers' compensation law covering maritime workers — longshoremen, harbor workers, shipbuilders, ship repairers, and marine terminal workers — injured on the navigable waters of the United States or in adjoining areas such as piers, docks, and terminals. It's administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC), part of OWCP.
How is the LHWCA different from FECA / OWCP for federal employees?
FECA covers federal civilian employees and the U.S. Department of Labor pays the claim. The LHWCA covers private-sector maritime and dock workers, and your employer's insurance carrier — not the federal government — pays your medical care and disability benefits. Both are administered by OWCP but through different divisions, and both let you choose your own treating doctor.
Can I choose my own doctor under the LHWCA?
Yes. Under the LHWCA you have the right to select the physician of your choice to treat your work-related injury. You are not required to use a doctor chosen by your employer or its insurance carrier.
What forms do injured longshore workers need to file?
The main forms are the LS-1 (request for examination and/or treatment), the LS-201 (notice of injury, filed within 30 days), and the LS-203 (employee's claim for compensation, filed within one year of the injury or last payment). Our team helps document the medical portions of these forms.
How soon do I need to report a longshore injury?
Notify your employer as soon as possible and file written notice on Form LS-201 within 30 days of the injury. Your claim for compensation (Form LS-203) must generally be filed within one year of the injury or the last compensation payment. Prompt medical documentation protects your claim.
What does treatment cost an injured longshore worker?
Under an accepted LHWCA claim, your reasonable and necessary medical treatment is paid by your employer's insurance carrier — not out of your pocket. We coordinate authorization and billing so you can focus on recovery.
Which ports and areas do you serve?
We treat injured longshore and harbor workers from the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach and surrounding communities including San Pedro, Wilmington, Long Beach, Carson, and the greater South Bay. Our office is at 21250 Hawthorne Blvd #250, Torrance, CA 90503.
Free Consultation

Hurt on the waterfront? Let's get your claim started.

Tell us where you're injured and where you work. We'll confirm your rights under the Longshore Act and get you scheduled — usually the same week.

  • Free initial consultation for injured longshore workers
  • You choose your doctor — we handle the LS forms
  • Care billed to your employer's carrier — not you
  • Prefer to talk? Call (310) 540-8333