Defense Base Act Claims Increase
Working overseas is becoming more dangerous for civilian employees who assist the U.S. military.
According to data reported on the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs website, the number of Defense Base Act (DBA) claims rose from 6,627 in fiscal 2017 to 6,694 in fiscal 2018. Claims have been increasing since fiscal 2015.
The DBA provides workers’ compensation protection to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or for national defense. The number of DBA claims does not constitute the complete or official casualty statistics of civilian contractor injuries and deaths. But the reported claims do underscore the risks that civilian contractors are facing as they help soldiers protect the United States overseas.
Meanwhile, U.S. military losses in Afghanistan have increased in recent months, suggesting that the uptick in DBA claims may reflect an increasingly more dangerous environment for soldiers and contractors alike.
At Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen, we can personally attest to the risks that defense contractors face. We have helped injured contractors recover compensation for their injuries under the DBA. For example, we negotiated a $635,000 settlement for a 53-year-old interpreter who suffered multiple injuries while deployed in Baghdad. The settlement included compensation for his disability and ongoing medical treatment over the course of his lifetime. You can learn more about our DBA work and expertise here.
Thanks to the DBA, at least civilian contractors have recourse to gain some compensation for the price they have paid while serving our country. This blog post of mine provides more detail about who is covered and the benefits the DBA provides.
Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen
If an employee who is covered by the Defense Base Act is injured, he or she is entitled to disability and medical benefits. No two cases are the same, and the amount of compensation varies per situation. This is just one of many reasons an injured worker should contact an attorney that is experienced in Defense Base Act claims. Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen now at (855) 208-3699 if you believe you are entitled to compensation under the Defense Base Act. We are ready to assist. Let us show how we can deliver results for you.
