Many people work abroad on behalf of the Department of Defense or the Department of State, but don’t have a military affiliation.
The Defense Base Act is a part of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and provides important medical coverage and death benefits for workers.
This act, in essence, is a type of workers’ compensation insurance. Wondering who’s covered and how to get help from the Defense Base Act?
Read on to learn more about the Defense Base Act.
1. Who Is Covered Under the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act covers non-government employees who are working abroad in support of the US military.
Defense Base Act coverage is offered to civilian contractors. This might include:
- Private employees working on U.S. military bases or on any lands used by the U.S. for military purposes
- People working for an American employer outside of the US with the objective of supporting the US military
Workers can be in support from anything from food services to security for the base.
The Defense Base Act also covers workers who are participating in humanitarian work through groups like the Peace Corps.
2. What, Where, and How
The Defense Base Act provides a variety of insurance coverage benefits. These benefits include:
- Lost wages
- Medical benefits
- Death benefits
- Some vocational rehabilitation benefits
The Defense Base Act is available to protect workers anywhere in the world. If you’re a worker under contract with the Department of State or the Department of Defense anywhere they send you, you’d have this coverage.
If you are a worker who is injured abroad, you should immediately report the injury to a supervisor. Then you should seek medical treatment.
You’ll need to complete the LS-203 claim for compensation form.
3. How Do You File a Defense Base Act Claim?
Once you complete the LS-203 claim form, you’ll be asked to provide information about your injury. You would do all this through the US Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
The case gets assigned a claims examiner assigned to evaluate your case. They decide if you’re eligible for benefits.
Defense Base Act Lawyer
Often, like in a private employer’s workers’ compensation case, it becomes necessary to hire a Defense Base Act attorney. If your benefits are denied, you may have to appeal.
It makes sense if you think you’re eligible for Defense Base Act benefits, that you get an attorney involved from the onset of the case.
Your attorney can become familiar with your case and monitor it to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re qualified to receive.
Because the DBA attorney understands how these cases work, they can also monitor your benefits. If you need more care, they can work to help you get what you need.
What You Need to Know About the Defense Base Act
The Defense Base Act provides important medical benefits and compensation for a group of individuals who work in support of the US government and military. Often, this group of people puts themselves in danger to complete their roles.
If you think you qualify for Defense Base Act benefits and want help filing a claim, we can work on your behalf. The Barnes Law Firm specializes in handling Defense Base Act cases. Contact us today to get the help you need.