Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act Amendments of 1979

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act Amendments of 1979 - Amends the Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act to: (1) extend coverage to ship cleaners, lashers, and ship carpenters; and (2) define "longshoring operation", "ship repairman", "ship builder", and "point of rest" for purposes of such Act. Extends the current maximum rates of compensation for disability to compensation for death. Entitles an injured employee to choose an attending physician from a panel designated by the employer and authorized by the deputy commission. Requires an attending physician who refers an employee to a medical specialist or physician to notify the employer with respect to such referral. Requires an employee seeking recovery of expenses for medical treatment to request the employer to furnish such treatment within 21 days of the first treatment. Establishes procedures for providing independent medical examinations when medical questions arise, including guidelines for the determination of the degree of physical impairment. Provides that, except for certain specified injuries, permanent and total disability shall be determined only if as a result of the injury, the emplo…