Your Reliable Defense Base Act Lawyer
What happens when civilian employees working on U.S. military bases outside the U.S. are injured in the process? Are they entitled to some kind of compensation for their injuries?
According to the Defense Base Act (DBA), absolutely. Under the DBA, any employee under contract with the U.S. government for national defense or public works is entitled to the same rules of insurance and worker’s compensation as those under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
If you have been injured while working in this capacity, you are entitled to compensation. Defense Base Act lawsuits can be complex, as they involve multiple entities including your employer and insurance companies. Due to these complexities, it is recommended that victims injured under the Defense Base Act contact a Defense Base Act lawyer as soon as possible.
The skilled attorneys at The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. have been representing DBA victims since 1996. We know how to beat insurance companies at their own game, and will work aggressively to get you the maximum compensation value that you deserve.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
Under federal law, U.S. government contractors have to provide worker’s compensation insurance for overseas workers. Anyone who is injured or killed while working for the U.S. government overseas is covered under the DBA.
For example:
- Any employee who works on a U.S air, navy, or military base in U.S territories and outside the U.S
- Any employee working outside the U.S on a public works project under contract with a federal agency
- Any employee working outside the U.S on projects that involve selling military equipment or services to America’s allies and falling under the Mutual Security Act of 1954
- Any employee working for an American firm providing services to military personnel, such as morale, welfare, or other similar services
What Kind of Compensation Is Available?
Civilian contractors covered by the DBA are entitled to generous compensation for lost time and reasonable and necessary medical care. If they cannot return to work following your injury, you are entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage for so long as your injury remains disabling. At any time during your litigation, you are allowed to negotiate a lump sum cash settlement for the value of your past and/or future benefits.
You are also eligible for temporary or permanent compensation if you are unable to return to your job duties. In the case of death, the surviving spouse and minor children may be eligible for compensation as well as money for funeral expenses.
PTSD and the DBA
PTSD is a real medical condition that has affected thousands of contractors working overseas. We recognize the symptoms associated with PTSD including nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, depression, irritability, reaction to loud noises, and difficulty sleeping. We have helped thousands of workers who are suffering with these symptoms, and we have secured valuable compensation, medical benefits, and large lump sum cash settlements for our clients who have suffered from PTSD.
PTSD symptoms do not always occur immediately following an incident. Sometimes PTSD comes on gradually over time or appears years after the incident. You may not even have symptoms before you terminate employment. However, an injured employee is allowed two years from the date they knew or should have known that they have developed PTSD as a result of something that occurred at work.
PTSD claims and delayed onset PTSD claims can be difficult to prove. That is why you need an experienced DBA lawyer like the lawyers at The Law Firm of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. who have proved thousands of PTSD claims for contractors injured overseas.
Why Hire a Defense Base Act Lawyer?
The Defense Base Act is there to protect overseas civilian workers under contract with the U.S. government. However, proving the claim is not always as straightforward as one would think. Each situation is different and there are a number of factors involved. Not to mention insurance companies are always looking for ways to lower the payout amount.
To ensure that you receive the full amount that you are due, you need the Defense Base Act lawyers at The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A on your side. We will ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact one of our expert Defense Base Act lawyers today.