Opinion ID: 2804922
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Longshore Act Claims

Text: The Longshore Act prohibits an employer from discriminating against or discharging an employee who has filed (or attempted to file) a claim for compensation benefits. See 33 U.S.C. § 948a; 20 C.F.R. § 702.271(a)(1). Appellants alleged that the contractors violated the Longshore Act because they “discriminated against,” SAC ¶ 565, and 14 terminated employees who filed claims, id. ¶ 567. Appellants sought “reinstatement or damages,” id. ¶ 570, the same remedy available under the statute, see § 948a, as well as attorney’s fees. However, the district court dismissed appellants’ claims for failing to exhaust their administrative remedies. Brink, 910 F. Supp. 2d at 256. We affirm the dismissal of appellants’ Longshore Act claims. The Base Act incorporates the Longshore Act’s administrative procedures for the filing, adjudication, and payment of workers’ compensation claims. Appellants explained: “Th[e] [Base Act] system is administered according to statute by the United States Department of Labor (DOL), in the administrative Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), subject to hearing and decision in contested cases by the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) of the DOL, and administrative appeal to the Benefits Review Board.” SAC ¶ 2 (citing 33 U.S.C. §§ 919, 921(b)(3)). Only after “a matter works its way through the OWCP, OALJ, and [the] Board,” can a claimant “appeal into the federal courts.” Id. Appellants have not even attempted to comply with the statutory requirements. There is no evidence appellants followed the administrative process set forth in the statute and related regulations. See 33 U.S.C. § 948a; 20 C.F.R. §§ 702.271–274. In particular, there is no evidence that any appellants filed a complaint with the district director of the applicable compensation district, or that a district director conducted an investigation of the complaint. 20 C.F.R. § 702.271(b). Nor is there any evidence that the district director determined that discrimination occurred or recommended reinstatement, restitution, or compensation for lost wages. Id. § 702.272(a). Under these circumstances, dismissal is warranted because appellants have not exhausted their administrative remedies. 15