What Benefits are Available Under the Defense Base Act?

If you have been injured while working on a U.S. military base or facility overseas, you may be entitled to DBA Claim benefits under the Defense Base Act (DBA). The DBA is a special workers’ compensation program that provides medical and income benefits to civilian employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work. 

At the Benner Law Firm, we have represented injured DBA workers in California for many years. We have a thorough understanding of the DBA and how to navigate the claims process. We will fight to get you the full amount of DBA benefits you are entitled to under the law. 

If you have been hurt in a workplace accident, don’t wait to get help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Defense Base Act lawyer. We represent clients in California statewide.

There are several benefits available under the Defense Base Act, including medical benefits, wage replacement, and death benefits. If you are a California resident and have been injured while working on a defense base, it is important to speak with an experienced defense base act attorney.

The Defense Base Act Lawyers at The Benner Law Firm have a wealth of experience helping clients navigate the claims process and obtain the full benefits they are entitled to. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to help you get the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Defense Base Act benefits is a program that provides workers’ compensation coverage to civilian workers who are injured while working on U.S. military bases or under contract with the U.S. government outside of the United States. The defense base act benefits are administered by the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).

The defense base act benefits are mandatory for all contractors and subcontractors engaged in federally-funded public works contracts outside of the United States, regardless of the size of the contract. In addition, defense base act benefits must be provided to all employees who work on these contracts, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

Defense Base Act benefits provide medical and income benefits to workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their work on a U.S. military base or under a U.S. government contract outside of the United States.

Medical benefits under the Defense Base Act benefits include all necessary medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation services. Income benefits replace a worker’s income if they are hurt and can’t go back to work.

The defense base act benefits also provide death and survivor benefits to the families of workers who are killed or die while working on a defense base or under a defense contract outside the United States. Also, the injury or death must have been caused by war, uprising, or an act of hostility by a foreign enemy.

If you believe that you or your loved one may be eligible for defense base act benefits, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Medical Benefits

Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance provides medical benefits to civilian employees who are injured or become ill while working on a U.S. military base or under a U.S. government contract in a foreign country. DBA insurance is required by the U.S. Department of Labor for all government contracts that exceed a certain dollar amount and are performed outside of the United States.

To receive DBA medical benefits, employees must be seen by a physician of their choice and the medical care must be related to the employment injury or illness. Medical treatment is covered for the duration of the injury or illness.

According to the US Department of Labor website, “DBA insurance covers not only workers’ compensation type injuries (such as back strains incurred while lifting heavy objects), but also war-risk injuries (such as being shot at by enemy soldiers).” The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs is in charge of running DBA insurance.

Disability Benefits

Disability benefits are money given to people who are hurt physically or mentally and can’t work.

There are four types of disability benefits:

• Temporary total – Temporary total benefits are paid to individuals who are unable to work for a short period due to their injuries.

• Temporary partial – Temporary partial benefits are paid to individuals who can work but are restricted in the hours they can work or the type of work they can do.

• Permanent total – Permanent total benefits are paid to individuals who will never be able to return to work due to their injuries.

• Permanent partial – Permanent partial benefits are paid to individuals who have permanently lost the use of a body part or who have experienced a wage loss due to their injuries.

The Defense Base Act provides disability benefits for civilian employees of the federal government who are injured while working abroad. In California, state workers’ compensation laws provide disability benefits for workers who are injured on the job.

Death Benefits

The Defense Base Act (DBA) provides death benefits to eligible survivors of civilian employees who lose their lives while working on a U.S. military base or under a U.S. government contract in a foreign country. To receive death benefits, the deceased employee must have been covered by the DBA, and the survivor must file a claim with the Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) is in charge of running the DBA.

Eligible survivors may receive up to $3,000 for funeral expenses and up to 50% of the decedent’s average weekly wages (AWW). If there is no surviving spouse, then one surviving child may receive up to 16 ⅔ of AWW in addition to the 50% for a spouse.

Child benefits are paid until age 18, or through age 23 if the child is attending school full time. Defense Base Act death benefits are paid from the date of death and continue until the earliest of the following dates:

• The date on which all eligible survivors cease to be entitled to benefits;

• The date on which an award for permanent disability is made; or

• Two years after the date of death.

Our Defense Base Act attorneys are here to help you get the benefits you deserve. The Benner Law Firm has successfully represented many clients in Defense Base Act cases, and we can put our experience to work for you.

We understand the unique issues that you may be facing, and we will fight to get you the maximum amount of benefits possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you get the Defense Base Act benefits you need and deserve.