COMMON INJURIES
COVERED UNDER
DBA

NATIONWIDE Common Injuries Covered Under the DBA

Contractors comprise an essential and indispensable part of military operations, and this became obvious following the Iraq and Afghanistan wars where contractors played crucial roles, such as guarding military bases to driving convoy military trucks. The type of work done by these contractors means they are just as exposed to injuries as any other worker back home.

Learn more: Can You Handle Your Own DBA Insurance Claim?

The Defense Base Act

To address the problem of contractors being injured in military operations (which is not covered under regular Workers’ Compensation laws), Congress passed the Defense Base Act (DBA) into law decades ago. The DBA provides workers’ compensation benefits to civilians working outside the United States as contractors or subcontractors on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. federal government for public projects.

At Mara Law Firm, we can assist you in determining whether you are entitled to DBA benefits if you are a civilian working at a military base or under some contract from the U.S. government. If a contractor or subcontractor is injured or killed while working under those circumstances, then the contractor or subcontractor and their loved ones may be entitled to DBA benefits.

Anyone who qualifies as a DBA contractor is eligible to receive benefits under DBA if they are injured on the job or their loved ones can obtain benefits if the loved one is killed on the job. One qualifies for DBA benefits if they either work outside the United States on a military base as civilians or they are contractors or subcontractors working under a U.S. government contract.

Common Defense Base Act Claims

While there is no exhaustive list of claims that can be brought under the DBA, our experienced Defense Base Act lawyers routinely handle injuries suffered in various DBA qualifying work situations, including the following:

• Heavy equipment operators
• Firefighters
• Truck drivers
• Pilots
• Electricians
• Welders
• Auto mechanics
• Security officers
• Interpreters
• Cultural advisors
• Canine Handlers
• Construction Engineers

When any civilian working in any of these and other positions at a military base outside the United States or under a U.S. government contract is injured or killed while at work, they are eligible to receive DBA benefits. It does not matter whether the injured or killed person is a U.S. citizen or not. The DBA does not preclude non-citizens from obtaining benefits, so anyone injured can get benefits provided they meet the qualifying criteria.

Common Injuries Covered Under the Defense Base Act

Civilian contractors and subcontractors in the military are a phenomenon that has increasingly grown over the past two decades, so much that it is impossible to imagine how the military can operate without them. With increased reliance on these workers at military bases outside the United States, there is an equally increased number of injuries involving these contractors and subcontractors. Some of the common injuries suffered by these workers include the following:

1. Traumatic brain injuries
2. Spinal cord injuries
3. Broken bones
4. Back injuries
5. Amputations
6. Arm injuries
7. Electrocution
8. Depression or PTSD
9. Chemical exposures

Also read: Does the DBA Cover Cancer Treatment?

Contact The Mara Law Firm about Your DBA Claim

Contact us today to schedule a free confidential consultation with our Defense Base Act Lawyers. Our dedicated staff will provide you with the attention and consideration that you deserve in your time of need. Our Defense Base Act attorneys at the Mara Law Firm will devote ourselves to protecting your interests and obtaining the maximum benefits that your case merits.