Civilians injured while working for the US military can find it very difficult to secure compensation for the harm they’ve endured.
However, the Defense Base Act provides solutions for people in this position. If you’re a civilian who has sustained an injury while working for the military, or on another type of public works contract, you may be entitled to bring an action under this statute.
Read on as we share our five tips for filing Defense Base Act claims.
1. Hire a Good Lawyer
You don’t have to hire a lawyer to bring an action under the Defense Base Act. However, given the legal complexities involved, it is a wise move in most cases.
The best lawyer for Defense Base Act claims is one that has a wealth of experience in this area. The rules and procedures around these claims can be quite specific, so attorneys need to know what to expect in every situation.
At Barnes Law Firm, we have a team dedicated to Defense Base Act cases. Our lawyers have a proven track record in court cases of this nature.
2. Choose Your Doctor Wisely
You are entitled to choose the doctor you go to for medical assessments about Defense Base Act claims (this isn’t always the case in worker’s compensation claims).
Therefore, you are under no obligation to be seen by a doctor proposed by your insurance company.
3. Keep Records
This tip applies to everything connected to your injury. Claims that are well-backed by evidence stand a far better chance of success in court.
Make a list of everyone that witnessed your injury and find out what exactly they saw in each case. Record the contact details of each of these individuals.
Retain evidence of all medical treatment you underwent after your injury. Obtain copies of any related medical records.
As well as items concerning your injury, it is also useful to have records of your wages. This allows for accuracy when assessing payments for loss of income.
4. Know Your Entitlements
It’s important to know your rights when it comes to Defense Base Act claims.
For instance, you may have the right to compensation from a work-related injury even if you didn’t sustain it while on your shift. If you are deployed to an active war zone, accidents that happen may be covered regardless of when exactly they take place.
5. Be Honest
Tell your doctor, and any other professional you speak to about your incident, every detail of your experience in a truthful fashion.
While it might be tempting to exaggerate some element of your injury in the hope of making your claim more valuable, this can lead to the defeat of the entire claim if discovered.
Defense Base Act Claims: Will You Be Making One?
With the right attorney, Defense Base Act claims need not be a cause of stress. At Barnes Law Firm, we’ll be with you every step of the way, doing our best to secure the best claim we possibly can.
If you want to file a Defense Base Act claim, or you need advice about the law in this area, contact us today.