Have you worked as a civilian on a military base on non-American soil? Have you been seriously injured and disabled because of this work?
Then your particular case is a job for a Defense Base Act lawyer. A DBA lawyer helps civilian workers just like you to receive fair compensation for their injuries.
But there are still some specific details about DBA cases/coverage that you may be wondering about. If so, you’re in luck because we’re about to give you the answers you’ve been looking for. Read this guide to learn all you need to know about Defense Base Act claims.
What Is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act (DBA) is a policy that covers civilian workers who work at military bases or for the U.S. government for defense purposes. Specifically, it covers those working outside of the United States.
With those requirements in mind, you can think of the DBA as workers’ comp. It has been protecting non-military personnel against injuries and other disabling conditions since 1941.
Who Is Protected By the Defense Base Act?
As for specific examples, there are endless types of employees who are covered by this act, including:
- Construction laborers
- Truck drivers/suppliers
- Clerical employees
- Private security
- Janitors
- Cooks
As long as you’re working for U.S. public defense and you’re doing so outside of U.S. borders, you are covered by this act. As such, you will receive compensation for any serious injuries you incur as a result of this work.
What Types of Cases Does a Defense Base Act Lawyer Take?
The act mainly covers serious injuries or illnesses that permanently disable the employee. These fall into a few categories, which are listed below.
Scheduled Injuries
Scheduled injuries are injuries involving the loss of major body parts, namely limbs or organs. The injured party will notify the employer and their DBA attorney to begin the processing of the claim. Determining the amount awarded may take several weeks.
Unscheduled Injuries
Unscheduled injuries are any permanently disabling injuries that do not fit into the scheduled injury category. Examples of unscheduled injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Burns
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Neck, hip, shoulder, back, or spine injury
These claims and the amount rewarded will be determined mostly the same way as scheduled injuries.
Aggravation of Pre-Existing Condition
Disablement can also occur by way of aggravating a pre-existing condition. For example, an explosion at a military base can impact a previous injury, such as one from a car accident. If this results in disablement, the DBA applies.
Death
Lastly, death is also covered under this act. Benefits include wages for the spouse and one surviving child as well as funeral expenses.
Do You Need a Defense Base Act Lawyer?
If you fall into any of the categories above, you need a Defense Base Act lawyer. We at Barnes Law Firm specialize in DBA claims.
To ensure maximum benefits awarded, don’t wait to act. Contact us today so we can start processing your case.