What is the Defense Base Act and Do I Need a DBA Attorney?

What is the Defense Base Act and Do I Need a DBA Attorney?

Apr 22, 2022 | Defense Base Act, Personal Injury

Are you a civilian worker who has suffered an injury while working for the U.S. military?

If so, you might be entitled to compensation under the Defense Base Act (DBA). The United States issued the Defense Base Act in an attempt to protect the well-being of civilian employees. Because of the Act, workers who contract with the military or private employers on military bases must receive basic insurance coverage.

But too often, these employers don’t provide the amount of coverage you deserve. Below, we’ll get into what the DBA is and show you what a DBA attorney can do for you. keep reading to learn more!

What Is the Defense Base Act?

The United States passed the Defense Base Act in 1941, right before the country joined World War 2. The purpose of the Act was to ensure that civilians received workers’ compensation coverage when working with the military. 

Under the DBA, employers must provide workers’ compensation to the following 4 types of employees:

  1. Civilians who work as private contractors on military bases. Employers must also provide coverage if their workers are operating on land the U.S. uses for military purposes.
  2. Workers employed under a public work contract with any branch of U.S. government. This group includes people who work on construction projects for the military.
  3. People who provide services and materials to U.S. allies. Their projects must have the approval of the U.S. government and be under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA). The projects must also take place on non-U.S. soil.
  4. American organizations that provide welfare to overseas troops.

If you get injured while performing any of these types of jobs, you can get compensation.

The Defense Base Act’s Compensation

The DBA doesn’t provide the compensation itself. Instead, it gives guidelines to employers, setting the minimal standard for coverage.

The employer then must buy a workers’ compensation insurance policy that meets or exceeds the standard. If they fail to do this and someone gets injured, they’ll face penalties.

When Do You Need a DBA Attorney?

Sometimes, when you file a DBA claim, the insurance companies don’t pay you enough money. This happens because they’re trying to protect their pocketbooks and business interests. Yet, you need the maximum amount of support possible to heal and recover.

When you file a DBA claim, you should speak to a DBA attorney. A DBA lawyer will make sure you get the compensation you need. They’ll help you gather evidence and negotiate on your behalf. If necessary, they’ll even litigate in court on your behalf.

Ready to Hire a DBA Attorney?

If you’ve been injured while working for the U.S. military or its affiliates, you should contact a DBA attorney right away.

At Barnes Law Firm, we understand the importance of getting you as much compensation as possible. Because they’ve worked with us, our clients have had the ability to get more money out of their DBA claims. This enabled them to seek better treatment and work on recovering from their injuries.

Ready to get started? Contact us today!