If you were injured while working overseas under a U.S. government contract, you may be entitled to compensation under the Defense Base Act. At Schechter Shaffer & Harris, LLP, our experienced Washington, DC defense base act lawyers are dedicated to helping civilian contractors and their families secure the benefits they deserve.
We understand the challenges of recovering from an overseas injury while applying complex federal laws. Our Defense Base Act attorneys provide skilled legal guidance and fights to ensure you receive full medical and wage replacement benefits.
Why Does the Defense Base Act Exist?
Ordinarily, workers’ compensation claims are a matter of state law. In a typical case, you would file your workers’ compensation claim locally in your home state, and the state itself exercises jurisdiction.
Matters are different when you have been injured working away from the United States, and government contractors often do, and it is unclear if any local body of law applies. Hence, Congress passed a law that applies one set of laws to any workers’ compensation claim that applies to injuries that government contractors have sustained on the job when working overseas.
The Defense Base Act provides coverage to Washington DC overseas contractors similar to what exists under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. The law provides that an injured worker can receive partial coverage for their lost wages and the medical expenses necessary to treat their injuries. The law also provides for a death benefit if a worker dies on the job overseas.
How DC Contractors Can File a Defense Base Act Claim
Filing a Defense Base Act claim begins with promptly reporting your injury to your employer. This should be done as soon as possible after the accident or the onset of a work-related illness. Your employer must then file an official Form LS-202 (Employer’s First Report of Injury) with the U.S. Department of Labor.
As the injured worker, you’ll need to complete Form LS-203 (Employee’s Claim for Compensation) to formally begin your claim. It’s important to include all details about the injury, medical treatment, and how the incident occurred.
You must submit this form to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) within one year of the injury or the last payment of compensation. You should also seek medical care from an approved provider and document all expenses and communications.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me with a Defense Base Act Claim?
A lawyer can provide invaluable support throughout the DBA claims process, helping workers from Washington DC secure the full benefits you deserve after a work-related injury overseas. These cases can be complex, involving federal laws, multiple contractors, and insurance carriers that often try to limit payouts.
They will investigate your claim, gather medical evidence, and ensure all required forms and deadlines are met. They can also negotiate with insurance companies, who may dispute the cause or severity of your injury, or deny medical coverage. If your claim is contested, your lawyer can represent you before the U.S. Department of Labor or an administrative law judge.
Additionally, an attorney helps calculate your rightful benefits, including medical expenses, lost wages, and disability compensation. Having skilled legal representation greatly increases your chances of receiving fair and timely compensation under the Defense Base Act.
Injured Washington DC Employees Can Contact a Defense Base Act Attorney Now
If you have been injured while working on behalf of the U.S. government overseas, you are facing a difficult legal process to get the benefits that you deserve. There is no guarantee that your claim will be approved, meaning that you should get legal help at the outset of the process.
Speak to a Defense Base Act lawyer who represents Washington DC residents to learn more about your legal rights and how you can file a claim to receive compensation for your injuries.
