DBA BENEFITS FOR
PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES

NATIONWIDE DBA Benefits for Psychological Injuries

Working as a defense contractor overseas for the U.S. can put you in many terrifying situations. Some civilian defense workers experience bombings, firefights, and other threatening situations that leave serious scars – even without physical injuries. Psychological effects are common after such stressful incidents, and you should know about your rights to benefits for psychological injuries under the Defense Base Act (DBA).

It can be challenging to prove your losses from psychological injuries, and Defense Base Act insurance companies regularly deny these claims. Always discuss your right to benefits with a law firm that handles DBA claims.

What are Psychological Injuries?

Psychological injuries are those with emotional or mental symptoms that impact your thinking, feelings, and/or behavior. These can include (among others)

• Anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It can be difficult to know when you have a psychological injury, as everyone might feel a little stressed, sad, or scared at some point. However, if you have persistent symptoms and effects on your life, you should not wait to report the matter and undergo an evaluation by a psychological or psychiatric professional.

Some symptoms that you might experience include:

1. Nightmares
2. Intrusive thoughts
3. Irrational and overwhelming fears
4. Obsessive behavior
5. Confusion and disorientation
6. Lack of concentration and memory
7. Mood swings
8. Social withdrawal and isolation
9. Losing interest in usual activities
10. Avoiding triggers of memories of an event
11. Sleep disturbances or insomnia
12. Being startled easily
13. Emotional detachment
14. Lack of affection toward others
15. Extreme sadness
16. Anger and outbursts
17. Panic attacks
18. Feelings of guilt and shame

Such symptoms can interfere with your everyday life, make it difficult to maintain relationships, and cause other problems.

DBA Coverage of Psychological Injuries

The Defense Base Act provides benefits for job-related injuries to overseas defense contractors. These benefits can include:

1. Coverage of all medical and treatment expenses
2. Lost income if a condition prevents someone from working
3. Disability benefits if the person cannot return to work due to their injuries

It can be easier to obtain benefits for physical injuries, as these are often easier to identify and prove. Getting a diagnosis of your psychological injury is necessary to prove to the DBA insurer that you do, in fact, have a work-related injury.

Even though the DBA entitles people to benefits for psychological injuries, these claims are notoriously challenging. For example, if you file a claim based on PTSD, you will need to prove that you satisfy eight specific criteria for this type of diagnosis. An experienced lawyer will know how to best present your claim to get you the benefits you deserve.

Speak with a Defense Base Act Attorney Today

Contact us today if you are suffering from psychological injuries that disrupt your life, the last thing you need is to fight with insurance companies who are minimizing or denying your condition. Having help from a DBA lawyer can often improve your chances of receiving benefits – and getting them sooner. At Mara Law Firm, our team helps clients with a wide range of injuries, including PTSD and psychological conditions.