Do I qualify for defense base act benefits

Since 1942, the Defense Base Act has provided protection for men and women who work overseas under military contracts. Workers’ compensation claims have surged dramatically in recent years as the military has boosted the number of civilian contractors it employs in places such as the Middle East. In the event that you have been injured while working for the military in another country, the Benner Law Firm can assist you in obtaining benefits under the Defense Base Act. It is not necessary to be a citizen of the United States in order to claim workers’ compensation benefits under this statute.

The Defense Base Act protects civilian personnel who are employed on U.S. military bases outside the United States or who are employed under a contract with the United States government for public works or national defense. Its purpose is to provide workers’ medical treatment and compensation protection to people who are harmed while working in the course and scope of their jobs.

This extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act of 1927 was approved by Congress in 1941 and is referred to as the Defense Base Act of 1941. The Longshore Act was created to provide protection for dock and marine employees who were not covered by the Merchant Maritime Act, which provided some form of compensation to sailors who were injured at sea.

The Longshore Act applies to dock and marine workers who are not protected by the Merchant Maritime Act, which compensates seafarers who are wounded at sea.

Our San Diego Defense Base Act and Longshore Act attorneys can assist in arranging for benefits to be paid directly by an authorized self-insured employer, an authorized insurance carrier, or, in some cases, a special fund operated directly by the United States Department of Labor (DOL).

The DOL’s Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC).

In general, an injured worker is entitled to disability compensation (in most cases, 2/3 of their Average Weekly Wage) and medical treatment during their recovery. The amount of benefits due, the breadth of medical care to be provided, and the total worth of the claim/injury are all critical concerns that should be resolved by an expert San Diego Defense Base Act and Longshore Act attorney.

The Defense Base Act regulates the following types of employment operations on military bases:

• Working for private employers on U.S. military bases or on any properties used by the United States for military purposes outside of the United States, including those in the United States Territories;
• Participating in public work contracts with any agency of the United States government, including construction and service contracts in connection with national security or with war activities conducted outside of the United States;
• If the contract is conducted outside the United States, you will be working on contracts that have been approved and funded by the United States under the Foreign Assistance Act, which primarily provide for the sale of military equipment, materials, and services to its allies in exchange for cash;
• Employees of American companies that provide welfare or comparable services outside of the United States for the benefit of the Armed Forces, such as the United Service Organizations (USO).

If any of the aforementioned criteria is met, then the Act applies to all employees engaged in such employment, regardless of nationality, and they are all protected by the Act.

You should notify your supervisor of your injuries, as soon as feasible. If necessary, he or she should authorize medical treatment as soon as possible. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within three days of the date of the injury if you are still unable to perform your job duties. If you have been unable to work for one or more shifts or if you have been unable to perform your job duties, your employer is required to file an Employer’s First Report of Injury (Form LS-202) within ten days of the date of the injury. In most cases, lost wages are paid at a rate of around two-thirds of a worker’s normal weekly wage, up to the weekly maximum, until the worker returns to work or reaches the point of maximum medical improvement. Medical expenses are covered by the employer’s insurance, but, as with other types of workers’ compensation claims, companies who have insurance coverage are not obligated to compensate employees for pain and suffering they have endured.

Our team in Benner Law Firm takes pride in its ability to assist civilian personnel who have sustained a serious accident while working on a federal contract outside the United States. We will conduct a thorough investigation, skillful negotiation, and litigation expertise on your behalf in courts of law and will remain with you until your matter is resolved.

Speak with one of our San Diego, California defense base act and longshore act attorneys. We will work with you to collect the reimbursement you deserve. To schedule a consultation with our San Diego personal injury law company, call(619) 505-3935 today.