When you’re injured working overseas for a U.S. contractor, negotiating the Defense Base Act can feel like trying to assemble furniture without instructions. You’ve served your country in a dangerous place, yet now you’re facing denial letters, medical bills, and confusing federal procedures. Washington has attorneys who specialize in DBA claims, but finding the right one requires understanding what separates genuine expertise from general workers’ compensation practice. Here’s what you need to know before making your choice.
Understanding Defense Base Act Coverage for Washington State Contractors
Washington State contractors who deploy personnel to work on U.S. government projects overseas must obtain Defense Base Act (DBA) coverage, which provides workers’ compensation protection that differs substantially from the state’s industrial insurance system. The DBA is related to the longshore system administered under the Longshore Act, which establishes statutory compensation frameworks for maritime and overseas contract workers.
The Defense Base Act mandates protection for nearly every role, from construction workers to medical staff, regardless of whether they’re U.S. citizens or foreign nationals. Understanding coverage nuances becomes critical when injuries occur, as you’ll need to navigate unique claim timelines. You must file within one year of injury or illness discovery. Both physical injuries and psychological conditions like PTSD qualify for benefits covering disability, medical treatment, and potential death benefits.
If a claim is denied, it can still be approved on appeal, and strong medical evidence along with experienced DBA attorneys can significantly improve your chances.
Key Qualifications to Look for in a Washington DBA Attorney
A Washington state DBA attorney must possess federal law expertise and specialized credentials that typical personal injury lawyers lack. These claims operate under the Defense Base Act and federal regulations rather than Washington’s state workers’ compensation system, requiring counsel with specific qualifications to navigate this complex legal framework. In addition, they should be able to advise clients on common claim pitfalls and build evidence to avoid denials by collecting thorough medical records and witness reports, as insurers often challenge work-related causation and the impact of injuries like inhalation burns.
Your attorney must hold a current license to practice in Washington State and demonstrate specialized knowledge of both the Defense Base Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which serves as the foundation for DBA claims. This specialized knowledge distinguishes qualified DBA attorneys from general practitioners, as fewer than 5% of personal injury attorneys handle federal workers’ compensation cases.
Insurance carriers deny approximately 30-40% of initial DBA claims according to data from the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. Your attorney should demonstrate proven negotiation tactics specifically designed to counter these routine denials and push back against insurance company resistance.
A track record of successful case results provides concrete evidence of an attorney’s capabilities. Review their history of settlements and trial verdicts in DBA cases specifically, not just general personal injury outcomes. Successful DBA attorneys typically secure settlements ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million depending on injury severity and long-term disability implications.
Your representation must understand both federal administrative procedures through the Department of Labor and the unique challenges facing overseas contractors, including jurisdictional issues, foreign medical treatment documentation, and the complexities of obtaining benefits while working in combat zones or remote locations. Additionally, because many civilian contractors developed illnesses linked to burn pits, an effective Washington DBA lawyer should be prepared to gather exposure evidence and address statute-of-limitations issues such as equitable tolling when appropriate.
Major Defense Contractors and Military Installations in Washington
Washington’s defense sector creates one of the nation’s most concentrated employment zones for overseas military contractors, with five major installations and dozens of defense contractors generating over $21 billion in annual economic impact. If you’re working for companies with significant Boeing presence or supporting Naval shipyards in Puget Sound, you’re part of this crucial community. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Base Kitsap, and Fairchild Air Force Base employ thousands who deploy worldwide. Major contractors like Lockheed Martin, Vigor Industrial, and Insitu regularly send workers to active zones. Understanding your rights under the Defense Base Act protects you throughout these assignments. Under certain conditions, the Department of Labor can grant DBA waivers that release contractors from purchasing Defense Base Act insurance for specific workers or countries, provided adequate alternative coverage is in place.
Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation With a Washington DBA Lawyer
Your recovery from an overseas injury shouldn’t begin with guesswork about legal representation.
During your first meeting, ask initial questions about the attorney’s specific DBA experience, including successful claim outcomes and familiarity with Department of Labor procedures.
- Clarify the fee structure, particularly contingency percentages and whether the insurer covers attorney costs.
- Understand who handles your case daily and how often you’ll receive updates.
- Request estimated timelines for each claim stage and common obstacles.
- Ask about their approach to denied claims and settlement negotiations.
These questions help you find representation that truly understands contractor injuries and your right to benefits.
What Makes Grossman Attorneys at Law the Best Defense Base Act Lawyers in Washington?
- Deep Understanding of Defense Base Act Law – The firm focuses exclusively on maritime and longshore litigation, with Howard Grossman bringing more than 40 years of experience and having authored numerous books on DBA cases.
- Proven Track Record with High-Value Settlements – Grossman Attorneys has earned a reputation for achieving some of the highest DBA settlements in the industry through thorough case preparation and aggressive advocacy.
- Accessible Legal Support When You Need It Most – Clients speak directly with attorneys, receive same-day email responses, and work with a dedicated team of an attorney and paralegal.
- Multilingual Capabilities for Diverse Contractors – The firm operates in English, Spanish, Creole, French, Russian, and Ukrainian, allowing effective communication with Washington’s diverse contractor community and handling of international documentation.
- Trial-Ready Litigators, Not Just Settlers – The firm’s attorneys are experienced litigators prepared to take cases to trial when doing so offers the best opportunity for full compensation.
How Washington’s Workers’ Compensation Laws Differ From Defense Base Act Claims
When contractors injured overseas compare their federal Defense Base Act claims to Washington’s state workers’ compensation system, they’re looking at two fundamentally different legal frameworks that rarely overlap.
State jurisdiction doesn’t extend to your overseas contract work. The federal DBA system governs those injuries exclusively, and you can’t pursue dual recovery. Approximately 60-70% of injured contractors initially assume their home state’s workers’ compensation applies, creating confusion and delays that can extend claims processing by 30-90 days.
Key differences you’ll encounter:
- Benefit computation uses different wage calculations and maximums between systems
- Federal claims often provide higher compensation than Washington state rates
- Processing authority differs completely between federal and state agencies
Understanding these distinctions protects your rightful claim.
Let The Washington DBA Lawyers at Grossman Attorneys Help With Your Claim
If you’re a Washington state resident or a contractor with ties to Washington who’s been injured while working overseas, you deserve legal representation that’s as committed and tough as you are. Grossman Attorneys at Law are a top-rated Defense Base Act claim law firm that have helped hundreds of individuals navigate the DBA claim process and secure the benefits they’ve earned.
Led by Howard Grossman, a seasoned attorney with 40+ years of distinguished experience and a preeminent national reputation in DBA and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claimant representation, the firm brings unmatched expertise to every case. Howard’s extensive knowledge of both law and medicine allows him to go toe-to-toe with the most knowledgeable experts, giving clients a powerful advantage in complex litigation.
Grossman Attorneys take cases nationwide, with offices in Florida and Washington, DC, and they’re fully equipped to represent contractors no matter where their injury occurred or where they’re currently located. The firm is known for professionalism, integrity, and a proactive litigation style that earns respect from defense attorneys and results for clients.