If you’ve been injured while working overseas for a U.S. contractor, you need specialized legal help, you deserve full benefits, and you can’t afford to choose the wrong attorney. The Defense Base Act (DBA) – a federal law covering civilian workers on military bases and government contracts abroad – operates very differently from standard workers’ compensation. Massachusetts has attorneys who focus specifically on these complex claims, but finding one with the right experience makes all the difference in your recovery.
Understanding Defense Base Act Coverage for Massachusetts Contractors Working Overseas
Working overseas on a U.S. government contract puts Massachusetts contractors in a unique position when workplace injuries occur. You’re covered under the Defense Base Act, a federal workers’ compensation system that protects civilian employees working abroad for U.S.-funded projects. The Department of Labor administers the DBA alongside the War Hazard Compensation Act, which provides government self-insurance for war-risk–related injuries or deaths.
This includes roles at military bases, construction sites, logistics operations, and veteran outreach programs. Whether you’re a U.S. citizen or foreign national, DBA coverage guarantees medical care and wage replacement when injuries happen.
Understanding overseas liability protections becomes critical when employers fail to maintain proper insurance. Massachusetts contractors deserve knowledgeable legal advocates who understand both federal requirements and your specific circumstances.
If your claim is denied, remember that denials are not final and can often be reversed on appeal, especially with strong DBA attorneys who can gather documentation, build your case, and negotiate with insurers.
Major Defense Contractors and Military Facilities in Massachusetts
Massachusetts stands as a defense industry powerhouse, home to some of the nation’s most influential military contractors and critical installations.
If you’re working for companies like Raytheon, headquartered in Waltham with over 14,000 employees, you’re part of a significant community. Civilian contractors deployed overseas from these employers may have exposure-related claims under the Defense Base Act, particularly for illnesses linked to burn pits.
The state’s defense sector generated $15.7 billion in contracts during 2020, supporting 57,000 jobs across seven military bases.
From Hanscom Air Force Base’s advanced communications systems to our state’s leadership in robotics innovation with over 345 firms, Massachusetts contractors face unique overseas deployment risks.
Understanding your workplace environment helps clarify your Defense Base Act rights and protections.
Workers covered by the Defense Base Act may also receive benefits coordinated through the Department of Labor’s Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation, which administers related claims and procedures.
Key Qualifications to Look for in a Massachusetts Defense Base Act Attorney
When you’re recovering from a serious overseas injury and steering the Defense Base Act claims process, your choice of legal representation can determine whether you receive full compensation or face years of denied benefits and appeals. Seek a Massachusetts defense base act attorney with proven LHWCA litigation experience, not just general workers’ compensation background. They should demonstrate cultural competency in handling overseas contractor cases and expertise in contract interpretation to establish coverage.
Look for transparent contingency fee structures, accessible communication, and connections to medical experts who understand combat zone injuries. Strong candidates offer free consultations and maintain memberships in DBA specialist organizations like the American Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section or the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. An experienced attorney will also understand how the zone of special danger doctrine can extend coverage to injuries sustained during overseas activities like obtaining meals, strengthening your claim.
How Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Laws Differ From DBA Claims
Understanding which legal system governs your work injury claim affects everything from where you file paperwork to how much compensation you’ll receive. The jurisdictional contrasts between Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation and DBA are significant.
If you’re injured on a U.S. military base overseas, you’ll file with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), not state agencies. Benefit structures differ considerably too.
DBA typically provides two-thirds of your average weekly wages (subject to minimum and maximum amounts adjusted annually by the Department of Labor) with potential lifetime benefits, while Massachusetts WC follows state-specific formulas that calculate benefits at 60% of your gross average weekly wage for temporary total disability.
DBA covers psychological injuries like PTSD more broadly than most state systems, and importantly, if your employer disputes your claim and loses, they’ll cover your attorney fees under Section 28 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (which applies to DBA cases), whereas Massachusetts follows different fee structures.
Common Defense Base Act Claim Denials Faced by Massachusetts Contractors
Massachusetts contractors working overseas under the Defense Base Act face denial rates that catch contractors by surprise, even when injuries seem straightforward and work-related.
Filing errors represent the most preventable cause—missing deadlines, incomplete forms, or unsigned documents trigger immediate rejections. Medical disputes run a close second, with insurers routinely attributing your symptoms to pre-existing conditions or disputing injury severity through their own physicians. You’ll also encounter challenges proving your accident occurred during employment, particularly for incidents during travel or outside traditional worksites. Understanding these common denial patterns helps you build stronger claims from the start.
Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation With a Massachusetts DBA Lawyer
Your first conversation with a Defense Base Act attorney sets the foundation for your entire claim, so preparing thoughtful questions beforehand helps you evaluate whether the lawyer has the specific expertise your case demands.
- Ask about their track record with DBA cases and outcomes they’ve achieved for contractors like you.
- Clarify communication expectations, including how often you’ll receive updates and who handles your inquiries.
- Request complete fee transparency, confirming that you won’t pay upfront costs since attorney fees come from insurance carriers after Department of Labor approval.
Understanding these fundamentals guarantees you’re partnering with someone who truly gets your situation.
Evaluating Track Records and Case Results of Massachusetts DBA Law Firms
When you’re choosing a DBA attorney in Massachusetts, you’ll want to examine their concrete results, not just their marketing claims.
Look closely at the dollar amounts they’ve actually secured for clients in settlements and verdicts, paying special attention to cases similar to yours—whether that’s a traumatic brain injury, psychological claim, or occupational illness.
Equally important is understanding their win-loss ratio, which shows how often they successfully overcome claim denials and insurer pushback to get injured contractors the compensation they deserve.
Settlement and Verdict Amounts
Understanding what other injured contractors have recovered through Defense Base Act claims provides valuable context as you evaluate potential legal representation.
Massachusetts DBA average settlements typically range from $150,000 to $500,000, depending on your injury severity and wage level. Minor injuries may settle around $50,000 to $100,000, while permanent disabilities can exceed $400,000.
Settlement timelines vary considerably—straightforward cases often resolve within 6 to 12 months, though complex disputes may require 12 to 24 months.
Top Massachusetts firms have secured settlements approaching $450,000 and verdicts exceeding $1.5 million, demonstrating their negotiation strength and commitment to maximizing your compensation.
Win-Loss Ratio Analysis
While most consumers research product reviews before making purchases, evaluating Defense Base Act attorneys presents a far more complex challenge since thorough win-loss statistics aren’t systematically published or centrally available for Massachusetts DBA lawyers.
The majority of claims settle before trial, making extensive data nearly impossible to compile. You’ll find that outcome definitions vary greatly. A settlement securing medical benefits might represent a major victory, while a favorable liability reduction won’t appear as a traditional “win.”
High win rates sometimes reflect conservative case selection rather than exceptional advocacy. Instead, look for peer recognition, documented case results, and transparent communication about realistic expectations.
What Makes Grossman Attorneys at Law the Best Defense Base Act Lawyers in Alabama?
- 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 Alabama’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 Alabama DBA Lawyers at Grossman Attorneys Help With Your Claim
If you’re a Alabama resident or a contractor with ties to Alabama 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.
