Defense Base Act (DBA)
For Temporary Workers Injured Overseas

DBA Claims for Temporary Workers or on Rotational Assignment

Civilian workers who take on temporary or rotational assignments overseas often face hazardous conditions far from home. When injuries occur on foreign soil, these workers may wonder whether they have any recourse for medical care and lost wages. The Defense Base Act provides crucial protections for many of these workers, offering benefits similar to traditional workers’ compensation but specifically designed for those employed abroad in connection with U.S. government contracts.

The experienced DBA attorneys at Cantrell Green help injured overseas workers—including those on temporary assignments and rotational schedules—file claims and secure the benefits they deserve. Whether an employee is stationed at a military installation, working on an infrastructure project, or providing contractor services in a conflict zone, the Defense Base Act may offer essential coverage.

Understanding how DBA claims work for temporary and rotational employees is the first step toward protecting your rights after an overseas workplace injury.

Understanding the Defense Base Act and DBA Claims

The Defense Base Act is a federal law originally enacted in 1941 to extend workers’ compensation protections to civilian employees working outside the continental United States on U.S. military bases or under contracts with the U.S. government. The DBA essentially applies the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to overseas employment, covering work-related injuries, occupational illnesses, and deaths.

Unlike state workers’ compensation systems, DBA claims are governed entirely by federal law and administered through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. Benefits available under the DBA include payment for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment, compensation for temporary and permanent disability, and death benefits for surviving family members.

At Cantrell Green, the attorneys handling DBA claims for overseas workers understand the federal framework and guide injured employees through the claims process from start to finish.

DBA Coverage for Temporary Workers Overseas

One of the most common questions temporary workers have is whether they qualify for DBA benefits at all. The answer is usually yes—provided certain conditions are met. The Defense Base Act applies to employees regardless of whether their overseas assignment is permanent, temporary, or seasonal. What matters is whether the employer holds a contract with the U.S. government and whether the work is performed outside the continental United States.

Many temporary workers are employed not by the primary government contractor but by subcontractors. This does not disqualify them from coverage. The DBA extends to employees of subcontractors at any tier, as long as the work is connected to a covered government contract.

The DBA attorneys at Cantrell Green help temporary workers overseas determine their eligibility and pursue claims when injuries occur on the job.

Rotational Assignment Workers and DBA Claims

Rotational schedules are common in overseas contracting work. An employee might work eight weeks abroad, return home for four weeks, and then head back overseas for another rotation. This alternating pattern does not affect DBA eligibility during the overseas portion of the assignment. Injuries that occur while working abroad on rotation are fully covered.

Coverage under the DBA can extend beyond the immediate job site. Injuries sustained during work-related travel, in employer-provided housing, and in certain recreational activities may also be compensable depending on the circumstances. The scope of coverage is often broader than what workers might expect from a state workers’ compensation program.

At Cantrell Green, the attorneys who represent workers on rotational assignment overseas explain how these schedules interact with DBA coverage and help clients pursue claims after injuries.

Common Injuries Covered in DBA Claims for Overseas Workers

Workers on temporary or rotational assignments overseas face a wide range of hazards. Physical injuries resulting from construction accidents, vehicle collisions, heavy equipment malfunctions, and falls are common across many industries. In hostile environments, workers may also suffer injuries from explosions, rocket attacks, or other acts of violence.

The DBA covers more than just acute physical injuries. Occupational illnesses—such as respiratory conditions from exposure to hazardous substances—are also compensable. Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from exposure to combat conditions or traumatic events, can qualify for benefits as well.

The DBA attorneys at Cantrell Green assist overseas workers with claims involving physical injuries, occupational diseases, and psychological conditions caused by their employment abroad.

Filing a DBA Claim as a Temporary or Rotational Worker

Filing a DBA claim involves specific procedures that differ significantly from state workers’ compensation systems. Injured workers must provide written notice of the injury to their employer within 30 days, though exceptions may apply in certain circumstances such as when the nature of the injury was not immediately apparent. A formal claim must then be filed with the Department of Labor.

Employers and their insurance carriers are generally required to begin paying benefits and providing medical treatment while the claim is being processed. However, disputes frequently arise over the extent of disability, the need for particular treatments, or other issues. When disputes cannot be resolved informally, the case may proceed to a hearing before an administrative law judge.

At Cantrell Green, the attorneys handling DBA claims for temporary and rotational workers overseas assist with every step of the process and represent clients in contested hearings when necessary.

Challenges Temporary and Rotational Workers Face in DBA Claims

Temporary and rotational workers sometimes encounter unique obstacles when pursuing DBA claims. Employers or insurers may argue that the injury occurred during personal time rather than in the course of employment. They may dispute the severity of the disability or challenge whether a particular treatment is medically necessary.

The remote nature of overseas assignments can complicate matters further. Medical treatment may need to be coordinated between providers abroad and physicians in the United States, requiring careful documentation. Communication with the Department of Labor and the insurance carrier can also be more difficult when the injured worker is far from home.

The experienced DBA attorneys at Cantrell Green help overseas workers—including those on temporary and rotational assignments—overcome these challenges and secure the benefits they are entitled to receive.

Benefits Available Through DBA Claims for Overseas Workers

The Defense Base Act provides comprehensive benefits designed to address the unique circumstances of overseas employment. Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary treatment related to the work injury, with no co-pays or deductibles. Injured workers receive care at no out-of-pocket cost.

Disability compensation is calculated based on the worker’s average weekly wage prior to the injury. Temporary total disability benefits are paid when the worker cannot work at all during recovery. Permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits are available when the injury results in lasting impairment. In cases involving a worker’s death, surviving spouses, children, and other dependents may be entitled to ongoing compensation.

At Cantrell Green, the attorneys representing overseas workers in DBA claims fight to ensure that injured employees and their families receive the full benefits available under the law.

Overseas Temporary Worker | DBA Attorneys

If you have been injured while working overseas on a temporary or rotational assignment, you may be entitled to significant benefits under the Defense Base Act. The attorneys at Cantrell Green are committed to helping injured overseas workers file claims and recover the compensation they deserve. With experience handling the unique challenges that arise in DBA claims, the team is ready to guide you through the process. Contact Cantrell Green today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your rights.

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