DBA Coverage for U.S. Contractors Working in Africa

DBA Coverage for U.S. Contractors Working in Africa

I am a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers (3rd Ranger Battalion) and a Defense Base Act (DBA) lawyer. As a DBA lawyer, I represent injured civilian contractors who work overseas under contracts with the U.S. Government, including those stationed throughout Africa. Many of these men and women serve in difficult, dangerous environments, supporting U.S. military and diplomatic missions. Contact me day or night to discuss DBA coverage for U.S. contractors working in Africa under U.S. Government contracts.

Under the Defense Base Act, these workers are entitled to benefits if they are injured while working in the course and scope of their employment, regardless of nationality. The DBA, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 1651 et seq., extends the protections of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) to civilian employees working outside the continental United States under U.S. Government contracts.

DBA Coverage for U.S. Contractors Working in Africa: Where U.S. Contractors Work in Africa

U.S. defense and logistics contractors operate in numerous African nations under State Department, USAID, and Department of Defense contracts. Common work sites include:

• Niger – U.S. military installations near Agadez and Niamey have hosted defense, logistics, and security contractors supporting U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
• Djibouti – Camp Lemonnier, the largest permanent U.S. base in Africa, employs hundreds of American contractors in support, maintenance, and security roles.
• Kenya – Contractors support embassy operations, logistics, and security efforts tied to U.S. counterterrorism initiatives in East Africa.
• Somalia and Chad – U.S. Government contractors often provide linguistics, communications, and intelligence support.
• Uganda, South Sudan, and Liberia – Contractors frequently assist humanitarian, construction, and peacekeeping missions funded through U.S. agencies.

Whether your employer is a defense contractor, logistics company, construction firm, or private security provider, you may be covered by the Defense Base Act if your work supports a U.S. Government contract or mission abroad.

How the Defense Base Act Protects Injured Workers

If you are injured while working for a U.S. contractor overseas, the Defense Base Act ensures you are protected under U.S. federal law. Covered benefits include Medical DBA Coverage for U.S. Contractors Working in Africa.

• Medical treatment for physical (such as spine, shoulder, hip, head, arms, legs) and psychological injuries (such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety).
• Compensation for lost wages during recovery.
• Permanent disability benefits if you cannot return to your prior work.
• Death benefits to eligible dependents of deceased contractors.

The DBA applies whether you are a U.S. citizen, foreign national, or third-country national, as long as your injury occurred while performing work related to a U.S. Government contract.

Because DBA claims are governed by federal law, they are administered through the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) and during litigation handled by the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ).

Common Injuries in Defense Base Act Claims

As a DBA lawyer, I represent injured contractors suffering from a wide range of physical and psychological injuries sustained while working under U.S. Government contracts overseas. These often include orthopedic injuries such as back, neck, shoulder, and knee trauma from lifting, falls, and vehicle accidents; spinal injuries and herniated discs from heavy labor or explosions; and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from blasts or impacts.

I also represent clients with hearing loss, vision injuries, and respiratory conditions caused by hazardous work environments. Many of my clients experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety from exposure to combat zones and hostile environments. Whether physical or psychological, these injuries are compensable under the Defense Base Act when connected to your overseas employment. My job is to ensure that every client receives the full medical care and wage compensation they are entitled to under federal law.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Defense Base Act insurance carriers frequently dispute claims, delay benefits, or question the causal relationship between overseas injuries and employment. Having an experienced DBA attorney who understands how insurance companies litigate these cases is essential. It is best to retain a DBA lawyer early on so he or she is able to respond quickly if the DBA insurance carrier does not do what they are supposed to do (pay compensation, authorize medical care, etc) and also to prepare for DBA mediations, informal conferences at the Department of Labor and formal hearings at the Office of Administrative Law Judges.

I’ve represented injured contractors across Africa and the Middle East, including linguists, security specialists, logisticians, and others, helping them secure the benefits they earned through service to U.S. missions abroad. My experience as a former insurance defense trial lawyer gives me an inside perspective on how these carriers operate and how to fight back effectively.

Contact a Defense Base Act Lawyer

If you were injured while working under a U.S. Government contract anywhere in Africa, whether in Niger, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Chad, or elsewhere, you may be entitled to Defense Base Act benefits. If you are still in Africa waiting to return home after an injury, contact me right away so that I may provide you with important tips important to your DBA claim to follow before coming home.

For a free, confidential consultation, contact Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, P.A. at (772) 283-8712, or complete the contact form below. Attorney Tim Nies is available day or night.

Disclaimer

The information above is provided by Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, P.A. for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our firm also handles federal Defense Base Act and Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims; however, representation in these cases is limited to federal administrative forums and does not constitute representation in other states outside Florida.
For specific legal advice regarding your case, please contact our office directly at (772) 283-8712 or through our Contact Us page.