Civilian contractors in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other overseas postings rely on federal contracts that continue regardless of budget gaps. Injuries on those assignments create obligations for insurers under the DBA. Those obligations remain in force even when government operations slow.

How The Shutdown Affected Pay For Overseas Base Workers

The AP report outlined that some European bases lacked the authority to pay local workers during the shutdown. The employees missed full paychecks and faced uncertainty about how long the disruption would last. Contractors assigned to those bases watched these developments closely because similar delays can ripple through related departments. Employers who rely on government funding often pause certain activities until appropriations resume.

Shutdowns create confusion, especially for overseas workers who depend on predictable pay cycles. Workers in maintenance, transportation, logistics, and other mission-support roles often face operational disruptions. These concerns raise essential questions about what happens to DBA benefits when a job injury occurs during a funding lapse.

Why a Shutdown Does Not Block Defense Base Act Injury Benefits

The Defense Base Act operates through private insurance policies that contractors must maintain regardless of federal budget activity. These policies remain in force even when government operations slow or pause entirely. DBA obligations arise from the employment relationship and the injury itself, not from the status of government appropriations. That means:

• Insurers must still accept injury notices;
• Medical care remains available through authorized providers;
• Wage-loss benefits continue when the worker qualifies; and
• Death benefits for surviving dependents remain protected

DBA insurers do not receive permission to suspend obligations during shutdowns. Your right to medical care, travel reimbursement, and lost-wage protection continues without interruption.

How Injured Contractors Should Respond During a Pay Disruption

A shutdown may delay communication between contractors and government points of contact, yet your next steps after an injury remain the same. You protect yourself by reporting the injury quickly, requesting written confirmation of notice, and documenting all medical treatment. These actions build a clear record that helps avoid disputes later.

Shutdowns may create shortages in on-site administrative staff. You may not receive the usual responses from supervisors or contracting officers. You can overcome those challenges by keeping copies of every email, message, and form you provide during that period. These documents show that you followed the required procedures even when the workplace operated under unusual conditions.

How Foreign Nationals Fit Into Defense Base Act Coverage

The DBA protects many foreign nationals who work under U.S. defense contracts overseas. Pay interruptions can hit these workers especially hard, particularly when they rely on a single source of income. Coverage for medical care and wage-loss benefits still applies. A shutdown does not alter the statutory protections that foreign national employees receive under the DBA.

Some foreign national workers worry about whether the wage-loss benefit applies when a prior shutdown caused pay delays. The DBA uses contract wages, not checks affected by shutdowns, to determine compensation rates. Clear documentation of your regular pay helps establish that rate.

How Insurers Typically Respond After Shutdowns End

Insurers often review claims more closely in the weeks following a shutdown. They may ask for updated medical records, employment confirmations, and work status reports. These requests do not mean benefits are unavailable. They reflect insurers trying to rebuild administrative timelines that paused when government offices closed.

You can reduce delays by responding to these requests promptly. You also help your claim by gathering treatment notes, test results, and receipts for medical travel. These documents strengthen your position in any dispute involving work restrictions, temporary disability benefits, or ongoing treatment.

Why Shutdown-Related Stress Increases The Need For Clear Documentation

A pay interruption can cause significant stress for workers and their families. When stress adds pressure on top of an ongoing injury, you may feel rushed to make decisions about your claim or return to work before you are ready. Careful documentation prevents misunderstandings. You protect your claim by avoiding assumptions, sticking to the facts, and keeping evidence organized in case an issue arises later.

Shutdowns may also delay access to some on-base medical facilities or administrative staff. Written notes about scheduling challenges help your lawyer demonstrate that any gaps in treatment were due to factors beyond your control.

Talk With a Defense Base Act Lawyer About A Shutdown-Related Claim Concern

If a recent workplace injury occurred during the government shutdown or if the aftermath disrupted your DBA benefits, you can call Friedman, Rodman & Frank at (877) 448-8585 for a free case evaluation. The firm represents civilian contractors worldwide and can help you understand your rights, gather the records needed for your claim, and move forward with confidence under the Defense Base Act.

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Overseas deployments remain a significant part of U.S. strategy, and private contractors play essential roles on those missions. A new facility near Gaza would likely rely on contractors for building support structures, equipment maintenance, food services, and key supply-chain functions. These positions carry exposure not only to workplace hazards but also to conditions linked to the surrounding region.

How a New Facility Near Gaza Could Increase Contractor Risks

Worksites near conflict areas face dangers distinct from those in standard overseas assignments. Construction zones may include unstable ground, damaged infrastructure, or narrow staging space for heavy machinery. Transportation routes may shift with little notice. Weather, crowds, and political turbulence add further challenges.

Contractors often face tightly scheduled tasks involving cranes, power tools, forklifts, generators, and electrical systems. Injuries may occur during loading operations, movement between sites, or routine maintenance. A location near Gaza may also expose workers to risks unrelated to typical construction work, such as sudden evacuations or nearby unrest. These conditions create situations where traditional workplace injuries intertwine with risks tied to the region itself.

How the Defense Base Act Protects Workers in Conflict-Adjacent Zones

The Defense Base Act provides medical care, wage-loss benefits, and death benefits for civilian contractors injured while supporting U.S. operations abroad. Coverage applies whether the injury occurs on a secure base, in the surrounding region, or while traveling for work. You still qualify for benefits even when the injury results from conditions associated with the area rather than a traditional workplace hazard.

The DBA relies on a concept called the “zone of special danger.” This doctrine recognizes that life in conflict-adjacent areas exposes workers to risks that arise from the location rather than the job itself. Courts often apply this rule when contractors are harmed during transportation, off-duty movements, or non-combat incidents in the region. The key question becomes whether the injury stemmed from the assignment’s overall conditions.

Understanding this doctrine gives you a clearer sense of how broad DBA coverage can be, mainly when an injury occurs outside of hands-on job duties.

How Contractors Should Approach Safety and Documentation Near Gaza

Work near Gaza or similar regions requires preparation. The unpredictable environment makes documentation even more important. You protect your position by keeping consistent records of work assignments, job tasks, medical appointments, and any on-site incidents involving equipment or environmental hazards. Prompt reporting helps maintain a clear timeline that supports later benefit requests.

Your employer may provide safety briefings, evacuation plans, and rules for movement within the area. Staying familiar with those materials helps reduce risk and creates a reference point if a dispute emerges about what happened. Jobsite photographs, messages exchanged with supervisors, and travel logs serve as additional support for a potential DBA claim.

How Foreign Nationals Fit Into Expanded Deployments

Many U.S. defense contracts rely on local and third-country nationals. A new base near Gaza would likely employ a significant number of these workers. The DBA covers foreign nationals injured on qualifying U.S. contracts, and benefit rights remain intact regardless of home country or citizenship. Benefit rates may vary by wage structure, yet coverage still includes medical treatment and compensation for lost earning capacity.

Foreign national employees often need extra help navigating the claim process. Language barriers, limited access to records, and differences in local medical systems can create obstacles. Clear documentation and early reporting help address these challenges.

How Contractors Should Respond After an Injury in a Conflict-Adjacent Region

An injury near Gaza requires quick action. The first step is to seek medical attention from an available provider. The next step is to notify your employer and request written confirmation of the notice. Injury timelines matter in DBA claims, so documenting these steps helps avoid benefit delays.

Handling an injury in an unstable location often introduces additional hurdles. Transportation to clinics may take longer. Communications with supervisors or contracting offices may feel inconsistent during periods of unrest. You protect your rights by saving all messages, appointment slips, medical findings, and work restrictions. These records help show that you followed procedures even when the environment created obstacles.

How a DBA Lawyer Helps When Injuries Occur Near Conflict Zones

DBA claims tied to areas like Gaza require careful attention to evidence, timelines, insurer requests, and benefit calculations. An attorney familiar with overseas deployments can gather missing records, contact witnesses, review medical findings, and address any dispute about job duties or coverage. Legal support helps streamline communication with insurers and prevents delays that often occur when injuries occur far from home.

Cases involving the “zone of special danger” may require explanations that tie the injury to conditions surrounding the assignment rather than a direct workplace act. A lawyer can help present those facts clearly.

Talk With a Defense Base Act Lawyer About an Overseas Injury

If an overseas deployment in a conflict-adjacent region resulted in an injury, you can contact Friedman, Rodman & Frank at 1-877-960-1018 for a free case evaluation. The firm represents civilian contractors worldwide and can help you understand your rights, organize key records, and move forward with a Defense Base Act claim grounded in accurate documentation and practical guidance.

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What Counts As A Covered Mental Health Injury

Under the DBA, you may recover for psychological injuries that arise out of and in the course of employment. That includes trauma from attacks, indirect exposure to hostilities, chronic fear during repeated alarms, or cumulative stress from dangerous assignments. Claims can succeed when a preexisting condition worsens because of deployment. The key is medical causation. A clinician must explain how work factors produced the diagnosis or made it worse.

Evidence That Persuades Claims Examiners

Mental health claims turn on documentation. You want thorough notes from licensed providers, clear diagnostic impressions, and treatment plans that show consistent care. Incident reports, after action summaries, and employer emails describing the event timeline give context. Statements from coworkers who witnessed explosions, base attacks, or repeated lockdowns help establish exposure. Travel orders, contracts, and site assignments confirm location and dates. Keep a symptom journal from the start so your providers can track progress and setbacks with precision.

Independent Medical Exams And How To Prepare

Carriers often schedule independent medical exams. Preparation matters. Review your history with your treating provider so the record is current. Bring a concise timeline of deployments, incidents, and care. Answer questions truthfully without speculation. Describe symptoms with concrete examples that show how daily life changed after the deployment. Provide copies of prior testing, therapy notes, and medication lists so the examiner has a full picture.

Aggravation Versus New Injury And Why The Distinction Helps

Many contractors arrive with stress or prior treatment history. The law still allows recovery when work abroad aggravates a condition. An aggravation opinion can be as powerful as a new injury opinion if the clinician explains the before and after. Objective markers like increased dosage, new diagnoses, or added therapies support the causal chain. Detailed notes that document panic episodes, sleep disruption, or intrusive memories following a specific event often carry significant weight.

Common Defenses And Practical Responses

Insurers argue that symptoms stem from personal life, not work. Counter that with contemporaneous records from the deployment period and credible medical opinions tying onset to conditions on site. Adjusters sometimes claim delayed reporting undercuts causation. Explain barriers to care downrange and show how symptoms manifested when you reached stable treatment. Carriers point to gaps in therapy. Fill those gaps with travel records, job rotations, or clinic closures that interrupted care, then show how treatment resumed.

Return To Work And Partial Disability Benefits

If you can work only reduced hours or need lighter duties, you may qualify for partial disability benefits. Wage records, job descriptions, and provider restrictions help quantify loss. Keep pay stubs and performance reviews so the math reflects reality. If you cannot work, total disability benefits may apply. Document all job search efforts if your provider clears you for modified work and you still cannot secure suitable employment.

Appeals And The Role Of Testimony

When disputes go to a hearing, your testimony matters. Speak clearly about triggers, symptoms, and functional limits. Treating clinicians often provide written reports that outline the medical basis for diagnoses and restrictions. Vocational experts may address employability. The administrative law judge compares all of this evidence. Consistency across records builds credibility and improves outcomes.

Free Case Review For Overseas Contractors

You deserve careful attention and a steady plan. Friedman Rodman & Frank represents injured contractors with DBA mental health claims and fights to secure full benefits. Call (877) 448-8585 for a free consultation. Our team can collect records, coordinate expert opinions, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

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The DBA is an important federal law that provides benefits and protections to employees engaging in defense contract work overseas. Such workers face unique risks and challenges while serving their country in hazardous environments and deserve significant benefits and protections in the case of injuries. The DBA law itself is an extension of the U.S. Worker’s Compensation Program from 1941 that was initially enacted to provide coverage for employees working outside of the U.S. for American employers. The policy allows employees to receive compensation while working at U.S. military bases in a national defense or diplomacy capacity or as a civilian working on an American federal military contract. The DBA program is broad, covering all service contracts and full-time employees at American defense bases around the globe. A wide range of injuries are covered under the DBA, and it’s important to understand what those categories look like.

What Are Common Injuries That Qualify for DBA Claims?

Over the life of the Defense Base Act (DBA), some injuries have emerged as more common than others. These injuries range from obvious ones, such as machinery injuries on the job, to less intuitive harm and suffering, such as psychological or emotional injuries. Regardless of which category a worker’s injury falls into, with the right legal guidance, qualified injuries should make for strong DBA claims.

Aggravation Injuries

Many contractors and employees may have pre-existing injuries or illnesses that were not initially caused by their work or jobs. However, for DBA claims, aggravation injuries include the worsening of a pre-existing injury caused by work-related activities. DBA work can often result in intense activities and exertion, leading to the possibility of work events creating physical strain and contributing to existing issues. Such injuries include worsening back pain, joint pains, or even re-injury for surgically repaired tissue or body parts.

Machinery Injuries

Injuries resulting from the operation of different types of machinery can be devastating for a worker. The intense and physical nature of industrial and heavy machinery creates opportunities for more severe injuries than in other forms of work. Equipment malfunctions, lack of training, or negligent maintenance can all result in serious injuries to the worker operating the machinery, causing them short-term, long-term, or even permanent issues.

Invisible Injuries

Psychological or emotional injuries, also known as invisible injuries because they are not physically visible, qualify for DBA claims if they are due to work-related activities. Common examples include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. The strongest DBA claims that address emotional or psychological injuries require consulting mental health professionals, expert testimony, and clear documentation and evidence.

Do You Need Help with Your Defense Base Act Claim?

If you or someone you love has or is considering filing a Defense Base Act claim, let the attorneys at Friedman Rodman & Frank fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries sustained on the job can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of DBA attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented injured workers at every stage of their claims, ensuring that they obtain the compensation that they deserve. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 877-448-8585 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a DBA lawyer.

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The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs tracks DBA claims statistics and data. According to reports coming from the Department of Labor, the number of DBA claims has continued to trend upwards. DBA claims have been increasing since fiscal year 2015 and saw a jump from 6,627 DBA claims in fiscal year 2017 to 6,694 DBA claims in fiscal year 2018. While the number of DBA claims does not serve as a complete or official casualty statistic for civilian contract injuries and deaths, it is a good snapshot indicator of the relative safety of overseas contractors in the field. The continued increase in DBA claims highlights the inherent risk that civilian contractors face as they work to help protect and serve service members abroad. It can also serve as an indicator of how many civilian contractors are working in DBA-qualified roles. As the number of civilian contractors rises, a relatively proportionate number of DBA claims should similarly rise.

The high-risk level that contractors are exposed to is clear from the relatively competitive benefits afforded to contractors under the DBA. Such benefits include but are not limited to (1) death benefits, (2) disability compensation, (3) reimbursement of lost wages, (4) rehabilitation and occupational training services, (5) schedule injury payments, and (6) physician of choice. While the level of risk that overseas civilian contractors may be high, the benefits available are calibrated to meet those needs.

Benefits such as reimbursement for misplaced wages, choice of physician, disability compensation, rehabilitation and occupational training, and schedule injury payments allow injured workers and their families to get back on their feet or maintain a certain level of comfort following a serious contractor injury derived from work. A benefit such as death benefits ensures that a worker’s family will not be subject to financial ruin if fieldwork or qualifying labor results in the death of the contractor. Receiving the maximum award for a DBA claim is essential to protecting workers and their families and ensuring that the system is fair and equitable.

What is the DBA?

The Defense Base Act (DBA) is an extension of the 1941 U.S. Worker’s Compensation Program that was enacted to provide coverage for employees working outside of the U.S. for American employers. The policy allows employees to receive compensation while working at U.S. military bases in a national defense or diplomacy capacity or as a civilian working on an American federal military contract. The DBA insurance program is expansive, covering all service contracts and full-time employees at American defense bases throughout the world.

Do You Need Help with Your Defense Base Act Claim?

If you or someone you love has or is considering filing a Defense Base Act claim, let the attorneys at Friedman Rodman & Frank fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries sustained on the job can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of DBA attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented injured workers at every stage of their claims, ensuring that they obtain the compensation that they deserve. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 877-448-8585 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a DBA lawyer.

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How Much Time Is There to File? (AKA the DBA Statue of Limitations)

Generally, you have one year after an injury to file a claim under the DBA. There are certain circumstances that permit the deadline to be extended, but this is the common rule of thumb. Following a qualifying injury experienced on-site, an employee usually has one year to file a claim before the statute of limitation kicks in. In most cases, an injured worker must enter their claim within the statute of limitations period to receive medical benefits, reimbursements, disability payments, and or other forms of compensation resulting from their claim.

One common exception to the one-year statute of limitation is for employees who contracted an occupational disease in the course of their work. Such claims have a valid two-year period to enter DBA claims. In such cases, the date used to calculate the two-year statute of limitations does not begin until a medical diagnosis connecting the disease to the workplace is received. Frequent examples of occupational diseases include, but aren’t limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, and other diseases that can take long periods of time to develop or show symptoms. It’s important to remember that cases and circumstances can vary, so it’s vital to consult with an experienced DBA attorney as soon as you think you have a claim to ensure you receive the money you deserve.

When to Begin the DBA Claims Process

While filing a DBA claim can be a complicated and prolonged process, having an experienced DBA attorney can make for a smoother filing. The best way to ensure prompt payment and compensation is to adhere to all the filing deadlines and make sure all the appropriate documentation is in place and submitted in a timely manner. Following an eligible workplace accident, the eligible DBA employer should receive notification of the employee’s workplace accident and will have ten days to file an Employer’s First Report of Injury form with the U.S. Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. In sum, the DBA claims process begins almost immediately following an accident. Outside of life-threatening injuries, it is important to file a DBA claim as fast as possible so as to secure fair compensation.

Do You Need Help with Your Defense Base Act Claim?

If you or someone you love has or is considering filing a Defense Base Act claim, let the attorneys at Friedman Rodman & Frank fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries sustained on the job can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of DBA attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented injured workers at every stage of their claims, ensuring that they obtain the compensation that they deserve. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 877-627-5116 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a DBA lawyer.

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Injured contractors under one of the above categories likely would qualify for DBA benefits, regardless of citizenship or nationality. American Citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and citizens and residents of other nations are all eligible to qualify for DBA benefits. DOL policy outlines the following groups that are not eligible for DBA benefits: (1) federal employees, (2) employees that serve as the “master or member of a crew of any vessel,” or (3) members of the armed forces.

Issues to be Aware of with Benefits

While it is almost always advantageous to receive DBA benefits, contractors should be aware of several features that don’t always work in favor of the claimants. The DBA is employees’ exclusive remedy against the employers, meaning that DBA employees cannot sue their employers for injuries that are covered by the DBA, even if the employer was negligent or caused the injury. This motivates employers to delay and deny DBA claims, making it very challenging to receive compensation under the DBA sometimes. DBA claims are tricky and often benefit from guidance from an attorney familiar with the issues. Additionally, a DBA settlement or award is the final remedy available to claimants, meaning that an injury could not be further dispute an injury or award following a settlement.

What is the Defense Base Act?

The DBA is an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). The LHWCA provides workers’ compensation benefits to qualifying maritime workers and longshoremen and can provide death benefits to their surviving family members. Congress passed the DBA in 1941 to extend those same workers’ compensation benefits to civilian contractors who were injured or killed while performing work for the U.S. military. The DBA requires that employers obtain DBA insurance to provide coverage for their DBA-related workers’ compensation claims.

Do You Need Help with Your Defense Base Act Claim in Florida?

If you or someone you love has or is considering filing a DBA claim, let the attorneys at Friedman Rodman & Frank fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries sustained on the job can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of Florida DBA attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented injured workers at every stage of their claims, ensuring that they obtain the compensation that they deserve. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 877-448-8585 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a DBA lawyer

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The Defense Base Act (DBA) is an important federal law that provides benefits and protections to employees engaging in defense contract work overseas. Such workers face unique risks and challenges while serving their country in hazardous environments and deserve significant benefits and protections in the case of injuries. The DBA law itself is an extension of the U.S. Worker’s Compensation Program from 1941 that was initially enacted to provide coverage for employees working outside of the U.S. for American employers. The policy allows employees to receive compensation while working at U.S. military bases in a national defense or diplomacy capacity or as a civilian working on an American federal military contract. The DBA program is broad, covering all service contracts and full-time employees at American defense bases around the globe. A common question about the DBA involves injuries covered under the program.

What Are Common Injuries That Qualify for DBA Claims?

Since the DBA was implemented, some types of injuries have emerged as more common than others. These injuries range from intuitive ones, such as heavy machinery damage on the job, to less visible suffering, such as mental or emotional injuries. Regardless of which category a worker’s injury falls into, with the right legal guidance, qualified injuries should make for a strong DBA case.

Machinery Injuries

Injuries resulting from the operation of heavy machinery can be devastating for a worker. The intense nature of industrial and heavy machinery creates opportunities for more severe injuries than in other forms of work. Equipment malfunctions, lack of training, or negligent maintenance can all result in serious injuries to the worker operating the machinery, causing them short-term, long-term, or permanent issues.

Aggravation Injury

Many contractors and employees may have pre-existing injuries or illnesses that were not caused by work. However, for DBA claims aggravation injuries include the worsening of a pre-existing injury due to work-related activities. Work on defense bases can often result in intense activities and exertion, leading to the possibility of work events creating physical strain and contributing to existing issues. Such injuries include worsening back pain, joint pains, or even re-injury for surgically repaired tissue or body parts.

Invisible Injuries

Psychological or emotional injuries, also known as invisible injuries because they are not physically visible, all qualify for DBA claims if they are due to work-related activities. Common examples include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. The best DBA claims that address emotional or psychological injuries require consulting mental health professionals, expert testimony, and clear documentation and evidence.

Do You Need Help with Your Defense Base Act Claim?

If you or someone you love has or is considering filing a Defense Base Act claim, let the attorneys at Friedman Rodman & Frank fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries sustained on the job can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of DBA attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented injured workers at every stage of their claims, ensuring that they obtain the compensation that they deserve. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 877-448-8585 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a DBA

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How Do Settlements Work?

Something to bear in mind about this process is that DBA insurance carriers are always seeking to pay claimants as little as possible in any given situation. Having a legal professional assist with the claim and settlement process is essential to ensure that you receive the proper compensation as a result of your claim.

Settlement Stability

One reason it may make sense for a claimant to explore accepting a lump sum settlement payment is that the laws governing DBA claims can sometimes change. While they might not always impact a claimant’s payments, such alterations could impact the value of the settlement. Even relatively small changes to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act or the DBA itself could severely reduce the value of a DBA claim.

DBA Insurance Carriers

Beyond the inherently shifting nature of the law around the DBA, insurance carriers are highly motivated to end their claimant payments. This desire manifests in a number of ways, including insurance companies attempting to catch workers engaging in activities that may be considered outside the scope of the worker’s medical restrictions. DBA insurance carriers routinely have investigators look into claimants in order to terminate compensation. Beyond that, claimants are regularly sent to independent medical evaluations with doctors who may have ties to the insurance carriers. Dealing with the DBA insurance carriers is a legitimate consideration when weighing a lump sum payment against regular payments.

Claimant Death or Injury

Finally, a claimant should consider that if an injured worker dies while receiving DBA payments through no relation to the claim, all compensation stops. This is potentially devastating to the injured worker’s family and anyone who is being supported by those payments. Further, if an injured worker sustains another injury while receiving DBA compensation, the compensation may also be terminated. This is due to the fact that if the insurance company can prove that the new injury would also prevent the worker from returning to work overseas, the payments for the original injury are no longer necessary. Navigating the DBA process is fraught, and requires an experienced team to support you. Make sure you are making informed decisions with your claims.

What is the DBA?

The DBA is an extension of the 1941 U.S. Worker’s Compensation Program that was enacted to provide coverage for employees working outside of the U.S. for U.S. employers. This policy allows employees to receive compensation while working at American military bases in a national defense or diplomacy capacity or as a civilian working on an American federal military contract. The DBA insurance program is expansive, covering all service contracts and full-time employees at American defense bases throughout the world.

Do You Need Help with Your Defense Base Act Claim?

If you or someone you love has or is considering filing a Defense Base Act claim, let the attorneys at Friedman Rodman & Frank fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries sustained on the job can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of DBA attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented injured workers at every stage of their claims, ensuring that they obtain the compensation that they deserve. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 877-448-8585 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a DBA lawyer.

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