San Diego Longshore Act Attorney


Defense Base Act & Longshore Act


Defense Base Act & Longshore Act Attorney in San Diego, California


The Defense Base Act (DBA) is an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Like the Longshore Act, the DBA provides workers’ compensation protection and medical treatment to civilian employees working outside the United States on US military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or for national defense.

Call us at 619-595-6794 to consut with our San Diego personal injury and defense base act attorney to get quality legal representation in your defense bases act claim, mass torts claim, and personal injury claims in California.

Defending Your Rights, From
Beginning to End

What is the Defense Base Act & Longshore Act in California?


The Longshore Act

The Longshore Act covers dock and maritime workers not covered by the Merchant Maritime Act, which provides compensation for seafarers injured while at sea. 

Our San Diego Defense Base Act and Longshore Act attorneys can help facilitate that the benefits are paid directly by an authorized self-insured employer; or through an authorized insurance carrier; or, in particular circumstances, by a special fund administered directly by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

The Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC) is administered by the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP) of the DOL.

Generally, an injured worker is entitled to disability benefits (in most cases 2/3 of their Average Weekly Wage) and is allowed access to medical treatment while they recover from the injury. The amount of benefits owed, the scope of the medical treatment to be provided, and the overall value of the claim/injury are all important issues that should be distilled down by a knowledgeable San Diego Defense Base Act and Longshore Act attorney experienced in the DBA. 

Schedule a consultation by calling 619-595-6794 to get in touch with our Defense Base Act and Longshore Act attorney in San Diego, California.

The Defense Base Act

The Defense Base Act (DBA), which Congress enacted in 1941, is essentially an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act of 1927. While there are many personal injury firms out there, not many are familiar with how the DBA works and how workers can successfully recover compensation through this act. At The Benner Law Firm, our California Longshore Act attorneys can clearly explain all the information you need to know.

The Defense Base Act covers civilian employees working outside the United States, usually in US military bases, for national defense purposes, or under a contract with the US government for public works and related engagements. It was meant to provide medical treatment, compensation, and protection for workers injured in the scope and course of employment. If you have any legal questions related to this, call us at 619-595-6794, and our experienced Longshore Act attorney will be glad to assist you.

The Need for the Defense Base Act


The Defense Base Act applies to civilians working in conjunction with the US military or those coordinating with other government agencies in Afghanistan, Iraq, and US military, air, and naval bases outside the country. It covers civilian employees under contract to the United States to perform “public works” outside the continental United States, whose number is much more significant than most people think.

Unfortunately, this work is often dangerous. Due to the nature of their work, employees could be injured or even killed. If this happens to you or a family member, you need to seek legal help from a hands-on San Diego Longshore Act lawyer.

Not many attorneys are knowledgeable about the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and do not understand how it is applied through the Defense Base Act. At The Benner Law Firm, an experienced Longshore Act attorney can help you plan the next steps that you will take. Call us at 619-595-6794 to schedule a consultation.

Defending Your Rights, From
Beginning to End

Overseas Military Bases


Suppose you are in any country featuring the US military, a US military base, or related government presence and become injured on the job. In that case, your injury likely falls under the Defense Base Act. These may include:

  • Iraq
  • Afghanistan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Turkey
  • Korea
  • Japan
  • Guam
  • Bosnia-Herzegovina
  • Great Britain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Panama
  • Hungary

The Defense Base Act generally covers personal injury cases involving defense contract worker injuries. If you are injured while working overseas, call us at 619-595-6794 and our dedicated San Diego CA Longshore Act attorneys will help you with your personal injury case.

Workers Covered Under the Defense Base Act


Covered workers include, but are not limited to:

Additionally, the Defense Base Act includes American civilian employees providing welfare or similar services outside the US specifically for the benefit of the military, such as those in the United Service Organizations (USO).

A seasoned San Diego Longshore Act attorney from The Benner Law Firm can explain these in more detail. Call us at 619-595-6794 to schedule a consultation today.

Injuries and Disabilities Covered in the Defense Base Act


In general, qualified recipients of the Longshore Act will recieve benefits such as

  • medical treatment and disability compensation,
  • general and vocational rehabilitation services, or
  • death benefits.

To be entitled to receive benefits under the Defense Base Act, an individual must have sustained an injury. If an injury leads to a disability, which results from an accident while employed, you’re entitled to receive benefits.

Pursuant to provisions of the Act, however, a victim must report the injury to their immediate supervisor immediately.

Defending Your Rights, From
Beginning to End

Benefits for Workers Under the Defense Base Act


Part of the benefits covered by the DBA is certain medical benefits, including medical treatment that is payable for as long as the illness or injury requires. Medical care must be related to the employment illness or injury, but it may be from a physician of choice. If applicable, lifetime disability benefits may include rehabilitation services for permanently disabled employees residing in the United States. Permanently disabled employees who cannot return to work without assistance may also avail of vocational rehabilitation services.

In general, permanent disability is payable as long as the disability continues. In case of death, however, death benefits would include burial expenses. The spousal death benefit or wages are payable for life unless the surviving spouse remarries. Child benefit is paid up to age 18, while student benefit is given through age 23 if the recipient is in school full time.

When looking into benefits under the Defense Base Act, the type of unscheduled or scheduled injury must be considered. Scheduled injuries, for instance, often involve loss of or loss function of body parts. Typical examples are loss of limb or appendage or loss of hearing.

Meanwhile, an unscheduled injury may include head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), neck and spinal cord injury, back injury, shoulder pain injury, hip injury, burns, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depending on the severity, if your injury fits into one of these categories, you may be entitled to receive benefits for a set period of time under the Defense Base Act.

Call us at 619-595-6794 to consult with our San Diego Longshore Act attorney to get quality legal representation in your defense bases act claim, mass torts claim, and personal injury claims in California.    

Call Our San Diego Defense Base Act & Longshore Act Attorney Today!


In general, a Longshore Act lawyer is a professional who can provide legal representation for injured workers who are covered under the Defense Base Act. Our San Diego personal injury lawyers at The Benner Law Firm can help with injury claims for simple circumstances or represent you and fight for your legal rights in a complex Defense Base Act claim. We commit ourselves to protect your rights as a civilian employee working outside the United States on US military bases.

Our team prides itself on having the knowledge and dedication necessary to help civilian employees who have suffered a severe injury while working on a government contract outside the United States. We will deliver thorough investigation, skillful negotiation, and litigation expertise in courts of law on your behalf and be with you until your case is over and finalized.

Talk to our Defense Base Act and Longshore Act attorneys in San Diego, California. We will work with you to obtain what you deserve and maximize your financial compensation. Call our San Diego personal injury law firm at 619-595-6794 to schedule a consultation today.

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