Who Is Covered Under the Defense Base Act?
By Tim Nies, Defense Base Act Lawyer and U.S. Army Veteran
If you were injured or developed PTSD while working overseas under a U.S. Government contract, you may be entitled to Defense Base Act (DBA) benefits. The DBA protects civilian contractors who serve U.S. interests abroad, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Somalia, and other countries in Africa, or anywhere across the globe.
I’m Tim Nies, a Defense Base Act lawyer and U.S. Army Ranger veteran (3rd Ranger Battalion). I work hard at battling DBA insurance companies for my clients.
You may qualify for Defense Base Act coverage if you were:
- Employed under a U.S. Government contract (construction, base operations, logistics, food service, electrical, firefighting, security or any other employment);
- Working for a private employer on a U.S. military base, embassy, or consulate overseas;
- Involved in public works or humanitarian projects funded by the U.S. Government;
- Providing direct support to military or diplomatic missions, including translators, drivers, or medical personnel; or
- Working under a subcontractor supporting a government-funded operation abroad.
Even if your role was non-combat, you may still be covered if your injury or condition arose from your overseas employment.
What Injuries and Conditions Are Covered under the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act covers physical, occupational, and psychological injuries linked to overseas work, including:
- Back, shoulder, and knee injuries from lifting or overuse;
- Traumatic injuries from attacks, blasts, or accidents;
- PTSD and other mental health conditions caused or aggravated by overseas trauma;
- Hearing loss, toxic exposure, or respiratory issues;
- Stress-related or cumulative trauma conditions.
What DBA Benefits Are Available?
Under the DBA, injured contractors may receive:
- Medical benefits for physical and mental health treatment, including PTSD counseling;
- Wage-replacement compensation while unable to work;
- Permanent disability benefits for lasting impairments;
- Death benefits for family members of contractors killed on duty.
These benefits are paid by the Defense Base Act insurance carrier your employer was required to maintain.
Why You Should Contact a DBA Lawyer Immediately
The most important time to contact a Defense Base Act lawyer is while you are still overseas. Acting quickly protects your rights and preserves evidence that supports your claim. Contact a DBA lawyer for advice on tasks that should be completed before leaving to return home for medical treatment.
If you are injured abroad:
- Report your injury or PTSD symptoms in writing to your supervisor immediately. Click this link for the form: Notice of Employee’s Injury or Death.
- Get and keep copies of all medical and mental health records.
- Obtain your pay, contract, and employment records.
- Speak with an experienced DBA attorney before leaving the country.
As a DBA attorney and former Army Ranger, I fight relentlessly for my clients, from initial filing of the Employee’s Claim for Compensation (LS203) through litigation and settlement, oftentimes through a DBA mediation. I regularly communicate with my clients while they are still overseas after an injury through WhatsApp.
A DBA Lawyer and Army Ranger Veteran Who Fights for Contractors Worldwide
My mission today: protect those who protect others. Whether you were injured on base in Iraq or diagnosed with PTSD after returning home from Syria or Ukraine, you deserve a DBA attorney who understands your sacrifice and who will fight for your DBA benefits with tenacity and skill.
At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, I personally handle every Defense Base Act claim, ensuring that injured contractors receive fair treatment and full compensation under the law.
Contact a Defense Base Act Lawyer
If you were injured or developed a psychiatric injury while working under a U.S. Government contract overseas, call or message me today. Don’t let a DBA insurance company deny your rights.
📞 Phone: (772) 283-8712
💬 WhatsApp: Available for overseas contractors
🌐 Website: DefenseBaseActLawyers.com
From our main office at 900 SE Ocean Blvd, Ste. 140-E, Stuart, FL 34994, I represent injured workers worldwide.
Contact Us
For more information about our trial practice and for a free consultation with our DBA lawyer, Tim Nies, please call us day or night, e-mail us, or complete the contact form below.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.
DefenseBaseActLawyers.com and Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, P.A. are Florida law offices. Our attorneys are licensed to practice law in the State of Florida. We represent injured workers and their families in claims arising under the Defense Base Act (DBA) and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which are federal laws administered through the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) and the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ).
Representation of clients in DBA and Longshore matters is federal in nature. As such, we are permitted to represent claimants located throughout the United States and overseas before the U.S. Department of Labor, even though we are licensed in Florida. However, we do not represent clients in state workers’ compensation matters outside Florida.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice for any particular situation. Viewing this website or contacting our firm through it does not create an attorney-client relationship. No attorney-client relationship exists unless and until a written fee agreement is signed by both the client and the firm.
All case results, testimonials, or statements about prior outcomes are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee future results. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law.
If you have been injured while working under a U.S. Government contract or while performing maritime work covered by the Longshore or Defense Base Act, contact our firm directly to schedule a free consultation.