DEFENSE BASE ACT

If you are a U.S. contractor or employee injured while working abroad on U.S. government projects, you have important rights under the Defense Base Act. The Defense Base Act (DBA) is a federal law that essentially extends workers’ compensation protection to civilians working overseas under U.S. military contracts or public works contracts. It provides benefits for medical care and disability compensation if you are hurt in the course of your employment outside the United States. Our firm is experienced in helping injured workers navigate the DBA claims process to obtain the benefits they deserve. We will assist you in filing a claim with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), ensuring that all required paperwork (such as injury notices and formal claim forms) is completed accurately and submitted within the strict deadlines. (Under the DBA, a written claim typically must be filed within one year of the injury or last compensation payment to be eligible, so we make sure no time is lost.)

If your DBA claim is unfairly denied or disputed by the insurance carrier, we will advocate on your behalf. Our attorneys can represent you in DBA proceedings, which may involve informal conferences with OWCP claims examiners or formal hearings before administrative law judges if necessary. We gather the medical evidence and eyewitness statements needed to prove your case, and we argue firmly for your right to benefits such as coverage of all medical treatment, weekly disability payments while you cannot work, and compensation for any lasting impairment or lost earning capacity. Throughout the process, we take care to explain your rights under the DBA in plain language, so you understand what benefits you are entitled to. Suffering an injury on the job overseas can be overwhelming, but with our team handling your Defense Base Act claim, you can focus on recovery while we fight to secure the maximum medical care and compensation for you and your family.