Defense Base Act (DBA) Benefits for Contractors Injured in Kuwait
As DBA attorney experienced in representing military contractors injured overseas, and as a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers (3d Battalion) I’ve seen firsthand how physically and emotionally difficult life becomes after a serious injury while working on a U.S. base like Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Whether you’re a security contractor, mechanic, food service worker, IT specialist, or logistics worker, if you’ve been injured while working under a U.S. government contract, you are likely entitled to benefits under the Defense Base Act (DBA).
What Is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act is a federal law that provides workers’ compensation benefits to civilian contractors who are injured while working outside the United States under a U.S. government contract. This includes employees working at military installations such as Camp Arifjan—a major logistics base for U.S. and coalition forces in the Middle East.
The DBA covers injuries from:
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Vehicle accidents on base
- Forklift injuries and injuries while working on military vehicles
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Repetitive use injuries (back, knees, shoulders) and training injuries
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Mental health conditions (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Falls, and many other injuries.
Common Injuries at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
Camp Arifjan presents unique risks for contractors due to high temperatures, heavy equipment operations, and the demanding nature of military support roles. I’ve represented clients who suffered:
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Orthopedic injuries from falls and lifting heavy objects/equipment
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Spine, shoulder and knee injuries from years of load-bearing work
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many other injuries.
Even if your injury seemed minor at first, or if it happened while you were “off duty,” it may still be covered under the DBA.
Your Right to Medical and Disability Benefits under the Defense Base Act
Under the DBA, injured workers are entitled to:
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Medical care from a doctor of their choice, paid for by the employer’s insurance carrier
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Wage loss benefits if you are unable to work or can only work part-time
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Temporary/Permanent disability benefits depending on your injury/impairment
Importantly, you do not need to prove that your employer was at fault.
What If the DBA Insurance Company Denies My DBA Claim?
Unfortunately, many injured contractors face aggressive pushback from DBA insurance carriers. They may delay treatment, deny benefits, or schedule medical exams with doctors of their choosing. That’s where having a skilled DBA attorney makes a critical difference.
At our DBA law firm, we fight to:
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Secure proper medical treatment from a doctor you trust
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Maximize wage loss compensation
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Challenge unfair denials or delays of DBA benefits including medical and compensation benefits.
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Represent you in a DBA mediation (to settle the DBA claim) or a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the OALJ.
Our DBA lawyer has handled claims involving all major DBA insurance carriers and understand how to to compel them to provide the benefits they are compelled to pay under law.
What to Do if You’re Injured at Camp Arifjan
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Report your DBA injury immediately to your supervisor or employer in writing. Keep copies of incident reports.
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Get medical attention, even if the injury seems minor and you hope it gets better. Make sure to keep all the medical records. Do not allow a DBA insurance company to compel you to go to a Kuwait doctor for medical care rather than returning home for medical care with a doctor of your choosing.
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File a written notice of injury (Form LS-201) with your employer and the Department of Labor. Keep a copy.
- Print up all your wage records for at least the one year prior to your injury. More, if you can. You may lose access to these records upon leaving Kuwait and your DBA attorney needs them to evaluate your Defense Base Act claim and to ensure that the DBA insurance carrier (typically, Starr Indemnity, AIG, Allied World) is paying you DBA pay at the correct amount.
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Contact an attorney experienced in DBA claims to protect your rights from the start, preferably before you return home for medical care. There are many other tasks that you should complete before you leave the base. Again, talk to a DBA lawyer about your individual situation. There are also deadlines for reporting injuries to your employer (30 days) and for filing DBA claims, so its best to contact a DBA lawyer soon after sustaining your injuries.
Why Choose DBA lawyer Tim Nies and Van Riper and Nies Attorneys?
As a veteran-owned law firm, we have deep respect for the civilians supporting our military abroad. DBA attorney Tim Nies, an Army Ranger veteran, has helped injured workers from Camp Arifjan and other bases across the Middle East receive the DBA benefits they deserve. Tim understands the realities of overseas contracting—and the tactics insurance companies use to avoid providing benefits.
Free Confidential Consultation
📞 Call DBA Lawyer Tim Nies at 772-283-8712
🌐 Visit defensebaseactlawyers.com and contact us directly.
📍 Serving injured contractors in the US and worlwide
If you were injured at Camp Arifjan or anywhere overseas while working for a U.S. contractor under a US Government contract, don’t wait—let Tim Nies help.
Main Office: Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, 900 SE Ocean Blvd, Ste. 140-E, Stuart, FL 34994