Several Illinois-based companies have contracts with the federal government that involve having workers at US military bases overseas. Nationally, hundreds of people work overseas for government contractors, but unfortunately, like any workplace, overseas military bases feature many hazards that can result in worker injuries. The Defense Base Act is a federal law that requires private companies contracted with the government to protect their overseas workers with a workers’ compensation policy.
Suppose you are working on a US military base abroad for an Illinois-based company and have become injured. In that case, an Illinois Defense Base Act lawyer can help you understand your right to workers’ compensation benefits through this act.
Who and What Is Covered by the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act is an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers Act and provides medical coverage and wage loss benefits to workers who have been injured while working for US government contractors on military bases or lands used for US military purposes overseas. The act requires US employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage through their insurer for these employers to provide disability payments temporarily as the injured worker recovers or permanently if the injury results in the inability of the worker to perform job-related tasks. The Defense Base Act also requires employers and their insurers to pay out death benefits for workers who die as a result of their injuries while working on military bases overseas.
Some of the types of workers covered by the act include construction workers, clerical workers, cooks, electricians, linguists, mechanics, truck drivers, and more. The act provides medical treatment through a physician or facility of the employee’s choice for a wide variety of injury types, including both physical and mental health conditions.
While the benefits provide under a DBA policy are very similar to state-required workers’ compensation benefits, there are some important differences to note, including the fact that a DBA claim may provide benefits even if the injury did not happen at the workplace, while workers’ comp policies only cover injuries that occur during work. DBA insurance policies can only be purchased through authorized insurance carriers and DBA coverage cannot be substituted with other types of insurance that the company has.
How Can a Lawyer Help You Get the Benefits You Need?
Filing a DBA claim can be a challenging process. Like other types of personal injury claims, the insurers who service these policies are typically interested in protecting their own bottom line by paying out as little as possible for the claim.
A Defense Base Act lawyer handles the claims process for their Illinois clients, gathering evidence and documentation about the injury. They can engage in settlement negotiations with the insurance provider or represent the client in hearings and appeals. Throughout these activities, the lawyer also helps their client to understand their rights and legal options so they can make informed choices about their care and benefits.
Contact an Illinois Defense Base Act Lawyer Now
Workers for government contractors at US military bases around the world have important roles to play in protecting our interests. The federal Defense Base Act provides these workers with the important protections of workers’ compensation by requiring their employers to purchase coverage on their behalf. If you were injured while working for an Illinois-based contractor at an overseas military base, let our legal team help you understand your rights under the Defense Base Act and the next steps in getting the benefits you need. Contact us for a case evaluation today.
