Defense Base Act Attorneys
For Civilians Injured Overseas

Defense Base Act FAQs (Part 2)

The Defense Base Act (DBA) is an extension of the federal workers comp program that covers those employed at U.S. defense bases overseas.

The DBA is administered by the United States Department of Labor, and is designed to provide medical treatment and compensation to employees of defense contractors injured in the course of their employment.

CLICK HERE for Part 1 of Defense Base Act FAQs

When Did the Defense Base Act Start?

In 1941, as the United States became involved in World War II, it became clear that a program needed to be developed to protect non-military personnel employed on U.S. defense bases in terms of medical treatment and compensation for injuries.  Military service personnel received insurance coverage through the military, but a civilian worker on the same U.S. defense bases did not.  The Defense Base Act of 1941 was instituted to address that issue.

What is The Purpose of the Defense Base Act?

The purpose behind the Defense Base Act was to ensure that any civilian working overseas for a U.S. government agency is protected in the event of injury, kidnapping, or death.  A federal workers comp program known as the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act already existed to protect longshoremen and harbor workers.  This Act was simply expanded to include civilians employed at U.S. defense bases overseas, and rebranded as the Defense Base Act.

Who is Covered by The Defense Base Act?

The DBA has been revised several times throughout the years, broadening the scope of who qualifies for coverage, which currently covers the following types of employees:

• Employees of a private employer who is stationed overseas either on a U.S. military base or upon land used by the U.S. for military purposes.
• Employees who work for a U.S. government agency for public works related to national defense outside of the U.S., such as construction or service contracts.
• Employees who are parties to a contract for the sale of military equipment, services or materials to allies of the U.S. under the Foreign Assistance Act, provided that those activities occur overseas.
• Employees working for American employers that provide welfare or similar services for the benefit of armed forces located outside the U.S. (for example, the American Red Cross and the United Service Organization (USO)).

What Benefits Does The Defense Base Act Provide?

If you fall into one of the categories specified above and are injured in the course of your duties, then there are certain benefits and compensation that you are entitled to receive:

• Medical treatment, including psychological treatment
• Compensation for disability
• Lost wages
• Vocational rehabilitation

If your injury results in your death, your loved ones are also entitled to benefits under the Defense Base Act.

Best Defense Base Act Attorneys

Our highly specialized Defense Base Act attorneys are committed to ensuring that every injured or disabled civilian employee obtains the benefits he or she has earned. We have successfully filed hundreds of Defense Base Act applications and appeals – obtaining millions of dollars in DBA benefits in over four decades of legal service.

Call today, or fill out the short form on the right to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with one of our skilled and experienced Defense Base Act Attorneys.

Free Consultation with a Defense Base Act Attorney: 800-964-8047