Lockheed Martin Corporation, Ace USA v. Lorraine Morganti, Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor

**Worker's Death Benefits Upheld for Maritime Employee** This case involved a dispute over death benefits for Rocco Morganti, who died in a work-related accident on Cayuga Lake while employed by Lockheed Martin. After his death, his widow Lorraine Morganti applied for death benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, a federal law that covers certain maritime workers. Lockheed Martin and their insurance company challenged whether Rocco qualified for coverage under this law, arguing he wasn't truly a maritime employee when the accident occurred. The court sided with Mrs. Morganti and upheld the Benefits Review Board's decision to award her the death benefits. The court determined that Rocco was indeed covered as a maritime employee under the Longshore Act at the time of his fatal accident, even though the incident happened on an inland lake rather than in a traditional harbor or coastal setting. This ruling matters for workers because it confirms that maritime worker protections can extend beyond obvious waterfront locations. Employees working around lakes, rivers, and other waterways may still qualify for federal death and disability benefits under maritime laws, providing important financial protection for workers and their families in dangerous water-related jobs.