The Defense Base Act (DBA), created in 1941, extended the federal workers’ compensation program for longshore and harbor workers. The DBA was initially extended to persons working on American military bases abroad. It was then expanded to most federal contractors working outside of the United States.
The Act requires federal government contractors and subcontractors to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees who work outside of the United States.
The DBA Falls Under the Longshore Act
Under the provisions of the Act, overseas federal military and public works contractors are subject to the same workers’ compensation rules as maritime employers covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). Including the same insurance requirements and same schedules of benefits for covered workers. The same LHWCA laws and rules apply.
The DBA provides no-fault coverage to injured workers. Injured workers and the survivors of workers killed on the job are entitled to benefits for employment-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. It … Read the rest