Defense contracting is a dangerous industry. In 2019, DBA claims rose to 8,447, which is a 26% increase from 2018. Claims in Afghanistan and Iraq made up the majority of those claims. 

If you employ federal contractors to work on military bases overseas, you may be subject to the Defense Base Act or DBA. This article will cover the basics of DBA claims and what the Defense Base Act covers. 

The Defense Base Act

The Defense Base Act is a law that requires U.S. contractors to provide DBA insurance to their employees. This insurance protects against injuries that happen on the job. It is part of the federal workers’ compensation program. 

All business owners that have contracts with the U.S. government must have DBA coverage or else they could receive penalties for non-compliance. 

The Defense Base Act was passed just before the United States entered WW2. It was designed to protect overseas workers who get injured on the job while working on U.S military bases. Later on, it was expanded to include other groups of workers with these protections. Today, the Defense Base Act covers civilian workers that belong to four different groups whether they are U.S. citizens or not. 

• Private contractors on U.S. military bases overseas or lands used by the U.S. for military purposes
• Companies that work on public contracts with any U.S. agency
• Contracts that are performed outside of the U.S. that are funded by the Foreign Assistance Act
• American employers that provide services such as welfare overseas that benefit the U.S. military

Defense Base Act Coverage

What is dba insurance? Defense Base Act insurance provides medical, disability, and death benefits to employees who are injured or killed while working. These benefits include any injuries or deaths that occur during non-work hours. 

You can calculate the compensation for total disability by figuring out two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly earnings. Total disability claims currently pay a maximum of $1,030.78 per week.

There is also coverage that can be paid for a partial loss of earnings due to an injury. 

Death benefits are calculated at half of the employee’s weekly earnings and are given to the surviving spouse or children. If there are two or more survivors of the employee those benefits may increase up to two-thirds of the worker’s weekly earnings.

Total disability benefits and death benefits are payable for life. These benefits also receive an annual cost of living adjustment. 

Injured employees are also given medical treatment by a doctor oft heir choice. The treatments are covered under DBA

Filing DBA Claims

Employees should notify their insurance as soon as they are injured. If the employee needs medical treatment it will be authorized immediately. 

The employer must also file a First Report of Injury within 10 days of the injury if it causes the worker to lose one or more shifts. 

DBA Insurance Protects Overseas Workers

It is common for DBA Claims to be filed. Working overseas as a defense contractor is dangerous work where workers have irregular work environments. Report your injury as soon as possible and start our DBA claim to receive the compensation you deserve. 

Barnes Law Firm helps injured contractors and interpreters fight for the compensation they deserve when they have been injured overseas.

Contact Barnes Law Firm today and speak with a lawyer about your case.