If you’ve been injured while working for a defense contractor overseas, you’re probably maneuvering confusing territory right now. The Defense Base Act is a federal law that extends workers’ compensation benefits to civilian employees on military bases and government contracts abroad. This law has specific requirements that don’t align neatly with standard Connecticut workers’ comp procedures. Finding a Connecticut attorney who truly understands DBA claims isn’t simply about hiring any workers’ compensation lawyer. The differences matter materially when your recovery and financial security depend on the outcome.
Understanding Defense Base Act Coverage for Connecticut Federal Contractors
Connecticut federal contractors must provide Defense Base Act insurance coverage when deploying civilian employees to work on U.S. government projects overseas. This protection extends to everyone on your team, from security specialists to medical staff to construction engineers, regardless of their citizenship status. Denied DBA claims are not final and can be overturned on appeal, especially with strong medical evidence and experienced legal representation. You’ll need to understand that DBA waivers aren’t available for U.S. citizens or employees hired domestically. Your insurance premiums, which start at approximately $3,500 annually and are calculated through payroll audits based on job classifications, qualify as reimbursable contract costs. Securing this coverage protects both your workers and your company’s contracting eligibility. Additionally, if you seek a waiver for eligible foreign workers, the Department of Labor requires using Form BEC 565 signed by a department or agency head for submission to DoD’s Contract Policy office.
Major Defense Contractors and Military Support Operations in Connecticut
Connecticut’s defense industrial base represents one of the nation’s most concentrated aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystems, with over 700 advanced manufacturers generating $21.4 billion in annual defense contracts. You’re part of an industrial workforce supporting critical military operations through companies like Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, and Sikorsky Aircraft. Civilian contractors supporting these operations who suffer illnesses linked to burn pit exposure may seek compensation through Defense Base Act claims. These defense contractors employ thousands across submarine manufacturing, jet engine production, and helicopter systems. Fairfield County alone accounts for $70.2 billion in contract awards since 2000. If you’re injured while supporting military operations through any of these manufacturers, you’ll need specialized legal representation that understands both the Defense Base Act and Connecticut’s unique defense sector. Claims for maritime and overseas defense work may also intersect with the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which is administered by the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (DLHWC) under 33 U.S.C. §§ 901–950.
Key Qualifications to Look for in a Connecticut Defense Base Act Attorney
Working in Connecticut’s defense sector through companies like Electric Boat or Pratt & Whitney comes with unique risks that standard workers’ compensation doesn’t address.
When selecting your Defense Base Act attorney, prioritize these essential qualifications:
- Board Certification in workers’ compensation, demonstrating peer-reviewed expertise and specialized knowledge
- Proven experience with Zone Doctrine cases, protecting you when injuries occur in hazardous overseas environments
- Track record before Administrative Law Judges, securing significant settlements and benefits for injured defense contractors
You deserve an advocate who understands federal DBA procedures and can navigate the Department of Labor’s complex requirements while fighting for maximum benefits. Many successful claims turn on strong documentation, keep treatment records, supervisor reports, and witness statements to prevent denials and strengthen your case.
How Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Laws Interact With DBA Claims
If you’ve been injured while working for a defense contractor overseas, you’ll navigate an entirely different legal system than Connecticut’s traditional workers’ compensation framework.
Federal law governs your claim through state preemption, meaning Connecticut’s workers’ compensation statutes don’t apply to DBA-covered injuries. Your case falls under administrative jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Labor, not the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission. This distinction matters because federal procedures, benefit calculations, and appeal processes differ markedly from state protocols.
Understanding this jurisdictional divide guarantees you pursue your claim through the correct system and protects your rights to benefits you’ve rightfully earned.
Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation With a Connecticut DBA Lawyer
When you’re preparing for that first meeting with a Defense Base Act attorney in Connecticut, you’ll want to focus on three critical areas that’ll help you choose the right lawyer for your overseas work injury claim.
Start by asking pointed questions about their hands-on experience with DBA cases, including the specific number they’ve handled and what results they’ve achieved for clients like you.
You should also get complete clarity on the fee structure (which is typically paid by the insurance company, not out of your pocket) and understand the realistic timeline and strategy for pursuing your specific claim.
Experience With DBA Cases
Selecting the right Defense Base Act attorney starts with understanding their actual hands-on experience with these highly specialized federal claims. You’ll want someone who genuinely understands the claims nuances and international jurisdiction complexities that make your case unique.
Ask about their specific DBA background:
- How many Defense Base Act cases have they personally handled from start to finish?
- What’s their success rate with settlements and hearings before administrative law judges?
- Do they’ve experience with psychological injury claims, not just physical injuries?
Their answers will reveal whether they’re truly equipped to fight for contractors like you facing challenging insurance company tactics.
Fee Structure and Costs
Beyond finding an attorney with proven DBA experience, you need complete clarity on how and when you’ll pay for their services.
Most Connecticut DBA lawyers work on contingency, meaning you won’t pay unless you win. Ask directly about billing transparency during your consultation. Confirm whether the employer’s insurance carrier will cover fees after a successful claim, as federal law often requires.
Inquire about retainer alternatives and any out-of-pocket costs like expert witnesses or filing fees.
Request written disclosure of all fee arrangements before signing, and verify the Department of Labor will review the agreement for fairness.
Case Timeline and Strategy
Understanding how long your DBA claim might take and what legal approach will best serve your situation ranks among the most important topics you’ll address during your first meeting with a Connecticut attorney.
Your lawyer should walk you through the claims timeline, explaining how documentation quality affects processing speed. Request a personalized strategy checklist covering:
- Expected milestones from filing through potential appeals
- Mediation opportunities that could resolve your case faster
- Preparation requirements for hearings if settlement negotiations fail
You deserve clear answers about realistic timeframes and tactical decisions that’ll shape your claim’s outcome.
Connecticut’s Role in Overseas Defense Operations and DBA Eligibility
Connecticut’s deep involvement in overseas defense operations creates substantial exposure to Defense Base Act coverage for workers throughout the state. With nearly 1,000 National Guardsmen deployed in 2020 and $24.3 billion in defense contracts, you’re part of a robust community supporting global missions.
Overseas deployment trends show Connecticut ranks fourth nationally in contractor spending, while contractor support networks span logistics, security, and technical roles abroad. If you’re working on U.S. defense contracts overseas, you likely qualify for DBA protection.
Your role connects directly to Connecticut’s significant defense infrastructure, making proper legal representation essential when injuries occur.
Evaluating Track Records and Case Results of Connecticut Defense Base Act Attorneys
When choosing a Defense Base Act attorney in Connecticut, examining their track record with actual case outcomes provides more insight than years in practice alone.
The most effective DBA lawyers can point to specific settlement amounts they’ve secured for injured contractors, with leading Connecticut firms reporting they’ve recovered over $200 million for overseas workers between 2018 and 2023.
You should ask potential attorneys about their success rate in DBA claims specifically, how many cases they’ve handled that mirror your situation, and whether they’ve achieved results through both settlements and formal hearings before the Department of Labor.
Settlement and Verdict Amounts
Settlement and Verdict Amounts
Connecticut DBA settlements typically range from $150,000 to $500,000, with severe cases exceeding $1 million.
Looking at settlement outcomes provides critical insight into an attorney’s ability to maximize your Defense Base Act compensation.
Your recovery depends on multiple factors working together:
- Your average weekly wage directly determines your weekly compensation rate and overall settlement value
- Disability rating affects whether you’ll receive temporary payments or lifetime benefits
- Future care needs account for ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
Experienced attorneys understand these components and fight for settlements that truly reflect your losses.
You deserve representation that secures full compensation, not just quick closure.
Case Success Rate Analysis
Understanding potential settlement values matters, but so does your attorney’s ability to actually deliver those results. Connecticut DBA lawyers with proven track records consistently achieve higher win rates than unrepresented claimants. They excel at evidence preservation, building compelling documentation that withstands insurer challenges.
When initial claims face denial, skilled attorneys employ effective appeals tactics that overturn unfavorable decisions far more frequently. You’ll find that experienced counsel closes cases faster, typically within four years, while steering through complex procedures that trip up solo claimants. Their strategic approach transforms your claim from paperwork into a winning case with measurable outcomes.
Specialized DBA Experience Level
Defense Base Act claims require attorneys with concentrated experience in this specific area of law rather than general personal injury practitioners. Because these cases involve federal statutes and international jurisdictions that most personal injury attorneys never encounter, you need counsel with verifiable DBA-specific credentials rather than generalists dabbling in this niche.
Your advocate should demonstrate:
- Hundreds of DBA cases filed, proving procedural fluency beyond occasional representation
- Deep familiarity with insurer tactics unique to overseas contractor claims, including denial strategies and delay maneuvers
- Proven trial strategy in federal forums, with willingness to litigate rather than accept inadequate settlements
This specialized experience guarantees you’re protected by someone who understands your unique challenges as a contractor injured abroad.
What Makes Grossman Attorneys at Law the Best Defense Base Act Lawyers in Connecticut?
- Deep Understanding of Defense Base Act Law – The firm focuses exclusively on longshore and maritime law, 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 Connecticut’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.
Let The Connecticut DBA Lawyers at Grossman Attorneys Help With Your Claim
If you’re a Connecticut resident or a contractor with ties to Connecticut 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.
