What Benefits Are Available Under the Defense Base Act?

The 1941 U.S. Workers’ Compensation Program was established in 1916 to administer claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. Benefits are available under this Act to more than three million federal employees, Peace Corps members, and Americorps members. The Defense Base Act (DBA) is an extension of the U.S. Workers’ Compensation Program that provides 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. DBA claims can be complex and understanding what is available under the DBA is a vital part of the claims process.

What Benefits Are Available?

Generally, the benefits provided through DBA insurance are considered to be superior to the benefits available under more standard workers’ compensation programs. DBA benefits can include receiving 67% of a worker’s average weekly wages while they’re unable to work, full medical coverage as long as it is necessary to treat the worker’s injuries or until the point of maximum attainable recovery, continuation of all benefits in the event of permanent disability, and provision of partial benefits for worker permanent partial disability, among other benefits.

Worker Responsibilities

Under the DBA framework, workers have certain responsibilities in the event of an injury on the job. Those responsibilities include but aren’t limited to (1) notifying your immediate supervisor as soon as possible after an injury, (2) filing a form LS 203 with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs as soon as possible, (3) completion of employer’s insurance carrier forms, (4) strict documentation of medical treatment, and (5) a completely truthful and accurate description of your injuries and history.

Navigating the DBA process is extremely technical and demands extreme attention to detail. Making use of an experienced DBA attorney is the best way to ensure that your claim receives the proper level of attention and maximizes your ability to get the best result from your case. Remember, DBA insurance carriers rely on paying out as little as possible and will attempt to avoid making payments as much as possible.

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.