Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, what percentage of the deceased worker's Average Weekly Wage does the surviving spouse receive in benefits?

Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), a surviving spouse is entitled to receive 50% of the deceased worker's Average Weekly Wage (AWW) as part of the death benefits. This provision is designed to provide financial support to the surviving spouse after the loss of income resulting from the worker's death due to a work-related incident.

The calculation of this benefit is based on the deceased worker’s earnings, ensuring that the spouse receives a significant portion of what the worker would have earned, thus helping to mitigate the economic impact of the worker's passing. This benefit reflects a balance between adequately compensating the surviving spouse and promoting the overall purpose of the act, which is to support injured workers and their dependents.

The percentages outlined in the other options do not align with the specific provisions of the LHWCA regarding survivor benefits for a spouse, emphasizing the importance of understanding the exact percentage to avoid misinformation about benefits entitled under this law.