Your Rights to Compensation under the Defense Base Act
The Defense Base Act, an extension of the federal workers’ compensation laws that protect long shoremen and harbor workers (the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or LHWCA), provides benefits to people employed at U.S. defense bases outside of the United States. If you are a qualified employee of an American defense contractor, the Defense Base Act provides a mechanism for recovering compensation for lost wages and medical expenses due to injuries suffered during the course of your work.
The Defense Base Act applies to a range of employees, including:
- People injured while working for private employers on American military bases outside the United States, including territories and possessions
- Individuals injured while working under contracts approved and funded under the Foreign Assistance Act
- People hurt while engaged in any public works contract with a federal government agency outside the United States. This includes all construction or service contracts related to national defense or war activities.
- Anyone working for agencies or organizations providing support or welfare services that benefit the U.S. armed forces
- Employees of any subcontractors of the above
If you have a potential claim under the Defense Base Act, you must immediately report your injury to your supervisor. Once you have notified your employer of your injury, you should be offered medical treatment. You must then file a claim for benefits within one year of the date of injury.
If you are approved for benefits, the amount of compensation will be based on your average weekly wage (AWW). Benefits are customarily paid until you either return to work or are capable of returning to work. You may be categorized as having a permanent disability, in which case you will receive benefits for life, though there is no provision for adjustments based on inflation or cost of living.
Contact Uliase & Uliase
For an appointment with an experienced New Jersey federal worker injury lawyer, contact our office online or call us at (856) 310-9002. We are available to meet with you weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment with our experienced federal employee injury lawyers. We are open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We offer a free consultation for injured workers.
