If you were injured while working overseas on a U.S. government contract, you may be entitled to benefits under the Defense Base Act — and you may be facing an insurance company that’s counting on you not knowing your rights. You might be back home now, dealing with injuries, lost income, and a claims process that feels impossible to navigate from thousands of miles away from where you were hurt.
I’m Ty Wilson, a Defense Base Act lawyer. I help injured overseas contractors across the country understand their rights and pursue the benefits they’re owed — without the pressure and aggression you’d expect from a typical injury law firm. The Defense Base Act is a specialized area of federal law, and the contractors it covers deserve straight answers about how it works.
Wherever you are in the country, you can call 912-438-8282 for a free strategy session. No obligation, no jargon — just a clear conversation about your situation.
What Is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act (DBA) is a federal law that provides workers’ compensation-style benefits to civilian employees working overseas on U.S. military bases or under contracts with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. It extends the protections of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to a global workforce.
If you were employed by a government contractor or subcontractor and were injured while working abroad, the DBA likely applies to you — regardless of your nationality and regardless of which country you were working in.
Who Is Covered Under the Defense Base Act?
DBA coverage is broader than many contractors realize. You may be covered if you were:
- Working on a U.S. military base outside the United States
- Employed under a contract with a U.S. government agency for public works or national defense overseas
- Working for a private employer providing services to the U.S. government abroad
- A subcontractor’s employee on a covered overseas project
Coverage applies to a wide range of roles — security personnel, translators, logistics and support staff, construction workers, IT and communications specialists, and many others. If you were hurt working overseas under a government-related contract, it’s worth finding out whether the DBA covers you.
What Benefits Does the Defense Base Act Provide?
DBA benefits are designed to cover both your medical needs and your lost earning capacity.
Medical Benefits
The DBA covers reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and prescriptions. Importantly, under the DBA you generally have the right to choose your own treating physician — a significant difference from many state workers’ compensation systems.
Disability Benefits (Lost Wages)
If your injury affects your ability to work, you may be entitled to disability compensation based on your average weekly wage at the time of injury. DBA wage calculations can be substantial, because they often account for the high earnings common in overseas contract work. There are four categories: temporary total, temporary partial, permanent total, and permanent partial disability.
Death Benefits
If a contractor dies as a result of a covered overseas injury, the DBA provides death benefits to surviving family members, including a surviving spouse and children.
Why Defense Base Act Claims Are Different — and Difficult
DBA claims are not ordinary injury claims. They sit at the intersection of federal law, overseas employment, and large insurance carriers who handle these cases every day. A few realities make them challenging:
- The insurance companies are experienced and well-resourced. They handle DBA claims constantly and know exactly where claimants tend to give up.
- The medical and psychological issues are often serious. Many overseas contractors return with significant physical injuries as well as PTSD and other conditions that carriers frequently dispute.
- The process is federal and procedural. DBA claims run through the U.S. Department of Labor, with specific filing requirements and deadlines that are easy to miss without guidance.
- You may be far from where you were injured. Pursuing a claim from back home, sometimes in a different country than where the injury happened, adds real complexity.
This is exactly why having a lawyer who understands the Defense Base Act matters. These are not claims to navigate alone against an experienced carrier.
Do You Need a Defense Base Act Lawyer?
Not every situation requires a lawyer, but DBA claims are complex enough — and the benefits at stake are often significant enough — that a conversation is almost always worth your time. You should strongly consider speaking with a DBA attorney if your claim has been denied, your benefits have been delayed or stopped, your medical treatment is being disputed, or you’re dealing with a serious or permanent injury.
A consultation costs you nothing and gives you clarity about where your claim stands and what your options are.
Serving Injured Overseas Contractors Nationwide
The Defense Base Act is federal law, which means it applies the same way no matter where in the United States you live. My office is based in Savannah, Georgia, but DBA representation is national — I help injured contractors and their families across the country. Wherever you returned home to, the same federal protections apply, and I can help you pursue them.
If you were injured doing maritime or waterfront work in the United States rather than overseas, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act may apply to your claim instead.
Talk to Ty — Free Strategy Session
If you were injured working overseas under a government contract, the best next step is a straightforward conversation. Call 912-438-8282 for a free strategy session. We’ll talk about what happened, whether the Defense Base Act applies to you, and what your options are — in plain English, with no pressure.
You can also contact me here to request a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act is a federal law that provides workers’ compensation-style benefits to civilian employees injured while working overseas on U.S. military bases or under U.S. government contracts. It covers medical care, lost wages, and death benefits.
Who qualifies for Defense Base Act benefits?
Civilian contractors and subcontractors working overseas under U.S. government contracts may qualify, regardless of nationality. This includes security personnel, translators, construction and logistics workers, IT specialists, and many other roles supporting U.S. operations abroad.
How long do I have to file a Defense Base Act claim?
DBA claims have specific deadlines, and they can be affected by when your injury occurred and when you became aware of its connection to your work. Because missing a deadline can jeopardize your benefits, it’s important to speak with a DBA attorney promptly about your situation.
Does the Defense Base Act cover PTSD and psychological injuries?
Yes, the Defense Base Act can cover psychological injuries such as PTSD that result from covered overseas work. These claims are often disputed by insurance carriers, which is one reason experienced legal guidance can be valuable.
How much does a Defense Base Act lawyer cost?
Defense Base Act attorney’s fees are regulated under federal law and are generally paid as part of the claim rather than out of your pocket up front. The initial strategy session with my office is free.
Can I choose my own doctor under the Defense Base Act?
Generally, yes. Unlike many state workers’ compensation systems, the Defense Base Act typically allows injured contractors to choose their own treating physician. This is an important right worth understanding early in your claim.