If you are working on a U.S. military base or on a contract for a U.S. government agency, there are several government acts you should know about in the case of injury. The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, the Jones Act, and the Defense Base Act are all acts they may apply to you. Defense Base Act attorneys can provide you with the necessary knowledge to make sure you get the most out of any settlement or trial.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation act (more commonly referred to as the Longshore act) covers maritime workers who are not included in the Jones Act in cases of injury on the job. The Longshore act has an extension, known as the Defense Base Act (DBA), which extends coverage to U.S. workers overseas as well as civilian contractors working outside of the United States on U.S. military bases, or under contract with the U.S. government.
The Longshore Act provides over $747 million in monetary, medical and vocational rehabilitation benefits. It also provides protection to over 500,00 workers who are injured or contract occupational diseases occurring on the navigable waters of the United States, or in adjoining areas. These benefits are generally paid directly by an authorized self-insured employer.
As with all workers’ compensation claims, it is advised that you contact a lawyer first, specifically Defense Base Act attorneys. But before you head to the nearest Defense Base Act attorneys office, there are some necessary requirements to make sure you receive all the compensation you deserve. In the case of an injury, it is required that you first report the injury to your immediate supervisor. This is the initial technical requirement of the defense base act, and should be the first step you take after injury.
Once your injury has been reported, it is time to seek out Defense Base Act attorneys. While searching for the best Defense Base Act attorneys, it is important to keep in mind that the DBA is very similar (but distinct from) another government act that provides compensation for other government workers. The Jones Act provides for claims by workers who are injured while serving on a U.S. vessel in navigable waters. This definition covers a wide range of vehicles and locations on which the injured person can be when they receive their injury, and Jones act workers’ compensation often includes much higher cash settlements. Unlike Longshore and Harbor Workers Act compensation, there are no state or federal agencies involved in Jones Act claims. So when searching for your Defense Base Act attorneys, be sure their specialty is as a Defense Base Act lawyer, and not a Jones act lawyer.
There are several forms of compensation offered under the Longshore act, and the DBA in particular. While undergoing medical treatment, the injured worker is entitled to compensation up to two thirds of his or her weekly average. Additionally, in the case of employer insolvency, the Longshore compensation program has reserve securities of over $2.8 billion, so injured workers can continue to receive their benefits.
With upwards of 155,000 contractors working in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many others working around the world, injuries are an unfortunate, but inevitable, part of life, and there are many Defense Base Act attorneys that can help the unfortunately injured get the compensation they deserve.