Defense Base Act

R+C Litigators routinely represents Employers and Carriers nationwide on claims brought under Defense Base Act (DBA) as extended by the  Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).  The Defense Base Act provides federal 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 national defense interest around the world.   DBA claims may involve orthopedic injuries or psychological injuries from an employee's repeated exposure to war-like events or war hazard conditions while working for an Employer overseas at U.S. military bases and U.S. Embassy's around the world.  

R+C Litigators has in-depth knowledge and seasoned experience handling the defense DBA claims and often litigate issues relating to date of injury, TTD, PTD, PPD, AWW, loss of wage earning capacity, entitlement to medical benefits, last responsible employer/carrier, permanent impairment rating (PIR) for scheduled injuries, return to work (RTW) restrictions, and work closely with physician experts in many disciplines.  R+C Litigators routinely assist DBA Carriers to obtain evidence for reimbursement under the War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA).  

R+C Litigators regularly advises DBA carriers and TPAs on claims-handling procedures to ensure compliance with established DBA laws, works closely with adjusters, team managers, supervisors and executive members of DBA Carriers to ensure each claim is expeditiously and properly handled, and resolved early, if viable, without the need for protracted litigation and without incurring unnecessary legal expenses.  R+C Litigators regularly appears before the OWCP, OALJ and BRB, if needed.