More than 700,000 workers are employed by the Department of Defense worldwide. These workers support the US military stationed all around the globe.
The Defense Base Act provides essential protections for non-military workers in the event of injury, illness, or death.
Are you wondering who qualifies for benefits and what those benefits might be? Read on to learn more about the Defense Base Act and how it could benefit you.
What Is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act is a US law that provides important protections for a group of workers who are non-military working for the US government, especially on military bases worldwide.
The DBA is a federal workers’ compensation program for contractors and subcontractors that gives coverage while working on a military base in a non-military capacity or while working under a United States government contract.
If a worker is employed by a business in the US, they most likely have worker’s compensation coverage through the employer because most states require businesses to carry it.
The US government covers military workers.
Non-military workers are unique because they aren’t covered by their employer or military coverage with worker’s compensation. This is why DBA coverage is so important.
Who Is Covered Under the Defense Base Act?
Let’s look more specifically at who gets benefits under the DBA. First, it’s worth noting that a DBA claim can be filed by US workers and foreign nationals as long as they work for the US government.
Workers do a variety of tasks on military bases across the globe, from highly skilled to service-related jobs. Some examples of workers covered under the DBA include:
- Security specialists
- Base security
- Canine handlers
- Non-military pilots
- Cultural advisors
- Heavy equipment operators
- Truck drivers
- Food service workers
- Medical staff
- Mechanics
- Janitorial workers
- Sanitation workers
- Welders
- Electricians
- Medical personnel
- Interpreters
Any worker under contract or employed by the US government who’s injured, becomes ill, or dies gets coverage under the DBA.
Benefits of the Defense Base Act
The DBA benefits offer similar benefits to worker’s compensation insurance. The Defense Base Act insurance provides both medical coverage and disability coverage for injured or ill workers.
If an employee suffers an injury and later dies, the deceased’s family can seek death benefits through DBA coverage.
Similar protocols for DBA claims are in place as traditional worker’s compensation claims.
It’s important to notify an immediate supervisor right away of an injury. Then seek medical attention. It’s important to file a claim within one year of the injury to be eligible for benefits.
Get a Defense Base Act Lawyer
Defense Base Act claims, like worker’s comp cases, often need the help of an experienced attorney. It can help to have an advocate working on your behalf who has experience with these laws.
It can also mean you get more compensation for your case.
DBA Protecting Workers
The Defense Base Act provides important workers’ compensation coverage for non-military workers working on behalf of the US government across the globe.
If you think you have a DBA claim, we can help. Contact us today so we can get to work on your DBA claim.