Defense Base Act

The Defense Base Act applies to civilian employees under contract to the United States to perform "public works" outside the continental United States. This includes many civilians working in conjunction with the U.S. military or other government agencies in Afghanistan, Iraq, and on military, air, and naval bases outside the United States.

The Defense Base Act, enacted in 1941, is an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) and provides disability compensation and medical benefits to employees and death benefits to eligible survivors of covered workers.

Examples of covered workers include, but are not limited to:

• Bomb disposal experts
• Private security
• PMC (private military contractor-former soldier/police officer)
• Engineers
• Medics and Medical Teams
• Truck drivers
• Translators and Interpretors 
• Constructor workers
• Technicians
• Electricians
• Consultants
• Utility workers
• Project managers
• Carpenters
• Non-military support staff

Contact a Defense Base Act Attorney

The expertise you are looking for is uncommon. Most lawyers are not familiar with the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), and do not understand how it is applied through the Defense Base Act. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor can tell you your rights and your responsibilities under the Defense Base Act. There is no cost and no obligation for this free information. If you do want one of our lawyers to represent you, there are no attorney fees unless you are awarded benefits under the Defense Base Act. The same applies to next of kin seeking wrongful death compensation.

You can live anywhere in the United States and contact our office; there are no geographical boundaries.  To arrange a free initial consultation, please call us today toll-free at 888-440-5829.

We are also available via our ONLINE FORM and are always happy to answer any questions you may have about the Defense Base Act.