There are around 1.4 million Americans currently on active military service. This number makes the military the biggest federal government employer.

And that’s not all. There are also those who work as military contractors without being enlisted members of the armed forces.

This can be a hugely rewarding career, allowing a defense contractor to do rewarding work in many different places across the globe. However, it’s also potentially dangerous. If you get injured while working as a military contractor overseas, you might need to rely on 

Read on to learn about the Defense Base Act and where insurance comes in if you get in a dispute after getting injured as an overseas defense contractor.

What Is a Defense Contractor?

If you work overseas on a military base on a contract basis (rather than as a member of the US Armed Forces) you’re a defense contractor. That means different rules apply to you than apply to members of the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Defense contractors carry out many different roles in the military. 

What Is the Defense Base Act?

The Defense Base Act (DBA) is a piece of federal legislation that protects defense contractors and other kinds of workers. Since 1941, it has set out the rights these workers can expect to enjoy when under contract with the US government.

The DBA does not only protect military contractors. It covers anyone working overseas on a project that the US government is funding.

What Is DBA Insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance protects employers in the event that they have to pay costs arising from an employee’s illness or injury. DBA insurance does the same thing. The only difference is that the employer in this scenario is the agency who has contracted the injured party, rather than a private employer.

DBA insurance is mandatory for military agencies in most cases. However, if there are no local laws governing workers’ compensation in the area where you’re stationed, your employer might be able to avoid carrying it.

If you become injured while working for an agency without DBA insurance, the claims process can be a lot more difficult. This is especially true of cases that involve serious injury or illness and hence extensive compensation. If the agency doesn’t have the liquidity to foot your bill, this can lead to a protracted repayment period.

If your government contractor wasn’t insured at the time of your accident, it might be a good idea to hire a DBA lawyer. This will ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in the processing of your claim.

Making Sure You’re Looked After

Whether or not insurance is involved, you need to make sure you don’t lose out if you get injured in the course of your work as a defense contractor. If a dispute arises after you’ve suffered an injury or fallen ill while contracted on a military base, you should seek legal advice immediately.

To discuss your situation in detail and plan your next move, contact us today.