Can You Get DBA Benefits for PTSD?

Posted on Monday May 25, 2020

United States defense contractors willingly put themselves at risk of danger in foreign places as part of their everyday jobs. While these contractors provide important support for the U.S. military in many different countries, many contractors come back to the U.S. having been through some traumatic experiences. This can result in post-traumatic stress disorder for many, which can cause many problems in their lives and require extensive treatment. 

Defense Base Act (DBA) coverage exists to provide benefits for contractors who are injured overseas, similar to workers’ compensation coverage for domestic workers. DBA insurance should cover both physical injuries and mental injuries, such as PTSD. However, many contractors find that their DBA claims arising from PTSD are being denied, which can only make the contractor’s situation worse. 

If your claim for PTSD was denied, you should seek help from an experienced DBA attorney at the Mara Law Firm right away.

Understanding PTSD

Traumatic events can disrupt our lives, and it is natural to feel shaken or on edge following trauma. However, most people start to improve and get back to normal after a few days or weeks. Others, however, experience ongoing and disruptive symptoms that might worsen and severely limit their daily activities. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that some people develop after a traumatic event. This will not go away like normal feelings of distress, but the symptoms can persist and take different forms. Some effects of PTSD include:

1. Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the event
2. Triggers that cause realistic flashbacks
3. Nightmares and sleep disturbances
4. Irrational fears
5. Recurrent and involuntary memories of the trauma
6. Depression and negative thoughts or mood
7. Social detachment or isolation
8. Being easily startled
9. Self-destructive behaviors
10. Feelings of guilt and shame

These symptoms can intensify when you least expect it, and the effects of PTSD can make it difficult to work, engage in activities you enjoy, or even leave the house in some situations.

It is important for people who are having trouble recovering from a traumatic event to seek medical help. Psychiatric and psychological treatment can help many people with PTSD, though this treatment is costly and takes time. If you developed PTSD from an experience while working overseas as a defense contractor, you should file a claim for DBA benefits to cover your treatment costs and lost income.

Getting DBA Benefits

Many employers and insurance companies are quick to challenge claims for PTSD. Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals found in favor of benefits for a linguist who worked for the military in Iraq for two years. The case, Global Linguist Solutions, LLC v. Abdulraouf Abdelmeged, held that he could not work due to his psychiatric condition that developed during his work in Iraq, and he was entitled to disability benefits among others. This is one example of how difficult it might be to prevail in a DBA claim for PTSD, as you might need to take the case to court. 

Learn How Experienced DBA Attorneys Can Help You

The Mara Law Firm fights for the DBA benefits clients deserve. Contact us online or call (619) 234-2833 to discuss how our DBA attorneys can assist in your case.