Defense Base Act Articles
For Civilians Injured Overseas

How Much Defense Base Act Benefits Will I Get?

There are several steps a worker must go through to apply for appeal Defense Base Act benefits. The process can be tedious, confusing and very time consuming. Restrictions and difficulties imposed by communications, distance, and access to remote locations can make the appeals process even more difficult.

It is important to understand exactly what benefits you are entitled to under the Defense Base Act.

Many times your employer or their insurance company will tell you that you are receiving all of the benefits you are entitled to, when in fact you are not getting the full DBA compensation for which you qualify. Sometime they will even craftily draw up the settlement papers to terminate a worker’s right to all future benefits under the Defense Base Act.

Talking to a specialized Defense Base Act attorney is the only sure fire way to calculate your DBA benefits and ensure that you will receive all of the benefits you are entitled to as an overseas employee.

This article is general in nature, to give you an idea of what DBA benefits you may get. CAll our experience Defense Base Act Attorneys, and we will help you calculate the exact benefits for which you qualify.

Medical Benefits Under Defense Base Act

There is no fixed amount – and no cap – on the amount of medical benefits a worker can receive under the Defense Base Act.

The employer – or their insurance carrier –  must provide and pay for all medical coverage for as long as the injury lasts or the process of recovery requires.

Defense Base Act Medical Benefits Can Include:

• Doctor visits
• Nurses care
• Surgery
• Hospital care
• Medications
• Medical devices or appliances
• Physical & occupational therapy
• Any other medical expenses

How Much Defense Base Act Disability Will I Get?

Covered disabled DBA employees receive disability compensation of 66 2/3 percent (“two-thirds”) of the employee’s average weekly wage, subject to specified weekly maximum rates, for as long as the effects of the injury continue.

These maximums change with the economy and cost of living. See the CHART for Maximum DBA compensation for each year since 2010.

Defense Base Act Death Benefits

Benefits are paid to a surviving spouse at the rate of 50 percent (half) of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage – and if there are surviving children, an additional 16 2/3 percent (for a total of “two-thirds”) is payable on their behalf.

If the worker is not married and has no children, benefits will go to next of kin.

Penalty for Non-Payment of Defense Base Act Benefits

If the employer or insurance company fails to pay any installment of compensation, that is payable without an award, within 14 days after it is due, an additional 10 percent may be added to the unpaid installment.

If the employer or insurance company fails to pay any compensation payable under an award within 10 days after it is due, an additional 20 percent may be added to the unpaid installment.

However, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs may excuse the employer’s failure to pay on time IF the employer contacts OWCP and shows that payment could not be made on time due to conditions beyond the employer’s control. Allowable excuses for late payments may include uncontrollable circumstances due to communications, distance, access to remote locations, and war zone conditions.

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