Do You Need a Lawyer to File DBA Claims?

Oct 21, 2021 | Defense Base Act

For years, you’ve avoided being injured on the job while working on an overseas military base. Unfortunately, that positive track record ended today. You’ve just been hurt at work, and now, you’re ready to pursue workers’ compensation for your injuries.

Unfortunately, research shows that 4.6 million people were injured on the job back in 2019. So, you’re not alone.

Fortunately, it is within your rights as an overseas civilian employee or government contractor to make Defense Base Act, or DBA, claims, as this act covers several kinds of injuries. The question is, can you file these types of claims without a lawyer?

Here’s everything you need to know about DBA claims and whether you need a lawyer to file them.

Let’s get started.

What Are DBA Claims?

DBA claims are filed to obtain compensation for the following types of injuries sustained on the job:

Cancer
Pulmonary injuries
Mental health
Hearing
Toes
Fingers
Eyes
Feet
Hands
Legs
Arms

You can also receive compensation through your DBA claim for aggravation injuries. These injuries are any injuries you sustain that aggravate or exacerbate an preexisting injuries you have.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer to File a DBA Claim

As an injured military base or U.S. embassy worker, you have the option of filing your own claim using the government’s Form LS-203.

However, it may behoove you to hire an attorney to help you with the filing process. The attorney would file a Form LS-203 for you along with a notice of retainer. The notice of retainer would essentially state that your attorney can litigate your claim for you.

Why hire a DBA attorney? Because an attorney can help you to challenge an average weekly income calculation that you feel is incorrect, for example. The attorney can also help you to overcome issues related to the established statute of limitations to injuries and claims, if needed.

An attorney can help you through the process of negotiating your settlement.

Especially if a defense lawyer is involved in your case, you should retain your own lawyer to maintain equal footing with the other side. Otherwise, the defense attorney may try to wither down your resolve to get you to agree to less than what you’re entitled to receive.

How We Can Help

At Barnes Law Firm, a leading DBA law firm, we take pride in helping civilian employees who are working outside of America on military bases. Likewise, we are eager to help contractors with the government who are working for national defense or public works.

We can file your DBA claim for you and then help you to successfully pursue the workers’ compensation to which you are entitled. With a successfully litigated claim, you may receive a settlement totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. We’ll provide you with guidance you need to choose the best settlement option for your situation.