According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 15% of veterans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Do you know that civilian contractors working for the benefit of the government may also experience similar feelings of distress? PTSD is a mental health condition that is often overlooked but can have a major impact on an individual’s well-being.
If you’re facing PTSD symptoms as a result of overseas contract work for the U.S. government, the Defense Base Act (DBA) was designed to help you collect compensation for your trauma. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you get the military contractor benefits you deserve.
Here’s a guide to maximizing Defense Base Act PTSD settlements.
What Conditions Are Covered by the Defense Base Act?
Unlike physical injuries, mental health issues aren’t always visible to others. The DBA recognizes mental health issues, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
A mental health condition can prevent you from obtaining gainful employment or enjoying your everyday life. Medications and therapy are helpful, but can be expensive.
A successful DBA claim shows that an individual’s PTSD is directly related to the time they spent fulfilling an overseas government contract. Causation is key, and you must show that your PTSD is a direct result of a traumatic incident on the job.
If you’re a civilian facing this situation, a Defense Base Act lawyer can help you with your claim and work to prove a strong link between your mental health issue and the trauma you experienced through your employment.
Symptoms of PTSD
Contractors in military zones face many dangers and threatening situations, such as kidnappings and roadside bombings. Some common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks or nightmares of traumatic events
- Avoiding discussing the trauma
- Avoiding triggers, such as loud noises, crowds, or driving
- Panic attacks
- Hypervigilance
- Inability to relax
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety and depression
- Suicide ideation
Delayed Onset of PTSD
In some people, PTSD symptoms can emerge months or years after a traumatic event. Although the condition is just as serious, it differs from immediate-onset PTSD. Delayed onset PTSD is often associated with drone attack incidents. The delay in symptoms can make it harder to connect PTSD symptoms to the specific attack.
The psychological effects of drone attacks are often related to the aftermath of drone strikes. Individuals who witness these events are susceptible to developing PTSD symptoms. This may occur after witnessing innocent lives lost, which often creates feelings of moral distress, helplessness, and guilt.
Dealing with a delay in PTSD symptoms can make filing a claim more challenging. An experienced personal injury lawyer with expertise in PTSD settlement claims can offer legal advice for contractors.
If you have developed symptoms of PTSD months or years following a traumatic event while employed overseas, it’s crucial to seek the advice of a qualified DBA attorney.
What Should You Know About the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act provides a variety of medical and disability benefits. Eligible civilians include those who worked on military bases or were under government contracts providing services for national defense or public works. These employees must be working outside of the U.S. The DBA covers various employment situations, including:
- Work that benefits the military or employers that provide welfare or similar services
- Working for a private employer on an American military base or lands outside the country used for U.S. military purposes
- Performing a public contract for the U.S. government connected to national defense, war activities, service, or construction
- Work that is U.S.-approved under the Foreign Assistance Act that benefits U.S. allies
The DBA covers employees engaged in the above activities, regardless of nationality. With DBA coverage, you can receive medical and disability benefits for any injury you incurred during your employment. Under the DBA, you could be eligible for death benefits for a family member who died during their employment.
Filing for Benefits Under the Defense Base Act
If you’re an injured worker, follow these steps for the best chance of a successful DBA claim.
- See a doctor qualified to care for PTSD patients and collect all medical documentation.
- Report the injury to your employer to establish your claim
- Speak to a DBA lawyer who can help you get the proper medical care and documentation for a successful claim
- Obtain a diagnosis of PTSD from a psychiatrist
- Trust your DBA lawyer to handle the details of your DBA claim. They are experts in PTSD compensation tips that can help you secure your benefits.
PTSD claims can be more difficult to prove than other injury cases. Symptoms of PTSD are emotional or psychological and may take time to surface. If you developed PTSD during your time working overseas for the government, you may be eligible for DBA compensation.
A qualified DBA attorney, a thorough investigation, and expert medical testimony can help solidify your PTSD claim. You do not need to suffer alone. An experienced DBA attorney can help you navigate this legal journey as you heal from the trauma you have endured.
How Can My PTSD Settlement Lawyer Help Me?
DBA claims can be complicated. That’s why it’s in your best interest to consult a personal injury lawyer skilled in workers’ compensation law. Having a trusted attorney by your side can help you focus on recovery while they fight for your rights and benefits.
Some ways your DBA lawyer can assist you include:
- Offering legal advice for contractors based on your unique situation and injuries
- Connecting you with qualified medical and mental health professionals
- Collecting evidence that links your PTSD symptoms to your work-related injury
- Negotiating on your behalf to obtain a favorable ruling and fair settlement
Navigating Defense Base Act PTSD Settlements
At Barnes Law Firm, we help people all over the world achieve favorable Defense Base Act PTSD settlements. You can benefit from our DBA attorneys’ dedication to clients, decades of experience, and reputation for positive results.
We understand the devastation of PTSD and the havoc it can wreak on your life. Our legal team has what it takes to establish a winning DBA claim and produce the best possible result for you.
Contact Barnes Law Firm today for a free consultation.