You might assume finding a Defense Base Act lawyer in Maryland is simple because the state hosts major defense contractors, but securing experienced DBA counsel requires knowing what sets qualified attorneys apart from general workers’ compensation lawyers. The Defense Base Act covers civilian contractors injured while working overseas for the U.S. military or on foreign military bases, and these claims follow specialized federal procedures that differ markedly from Maryland’s state workers’ compensation system. What you ask during your first consultation will determine whether you’ve found the right advocate.
Understanding Defense Base Act Coverage for Maryland Contractors Working Overseas
When Maryland contractors accept overseas assignments on U.S. government projects, they enter a specialized workers’ compensation system that approximately 70% of contractors don’t fully understand until an injury occurs, according to Department of Labor claim filing patterns. DoD market research also identified potential savings from government self-insurance, reflecting how coverage strategies can affect costs and administration.
The Defense Base Act provides coverage whether you’re building infrastructure, providing logistics support, or offering humanitarian services abroad.
Your contractor eligibility extends to work on military bases, public works projects, and defense-related activities outside U.S. territory.
Unlike state workers’ compensation with varying coverage limits, DBA insurance must cover all employees, including subcontractors and third-country nationals, before deployment begins.
This federal protection exists specifically because you’re working beyond traditional safety nets.
If your claim is denied, remember that DBA appeals are available and denials are not final, especially when supported by thorough documentation and experienced legal representation.
Key Qualifications to Look for in a Maryland Defense Base Act Attorney
When searching for a Maryland Defense Base Act attorney, prioritize candidates who’ve documented experience handling DBA cases specifically and can demonstrate expertise in this federal workers’ compensation program that covers approximately 50,000 private contractors working on U.S. military bases and development projects overseas. Because many claims involve complex injuries such as burns, a seasoned lawyer should also understand the evidentiary value of maintaining treatment records and witness reports to prevent insurer denials.
General workers’ compensation lawyers lack the necessary specialization because DBA claims involve federal statutes governed by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, jurisdictional complexities with the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, and unique challenges related to medical treatment coordination across international borders.
Look for an attorney who can provide concrete documentation of settlements they’ve secured for injured contractors, including specific case outcomes and dollar amounts recovered, and who demonstrates familiarity with the particular procedural requirements Maryland-based workers encounter when filing claims from deployment locations in the Middle East, Asia, or other overseas territories where the majority of DBA claims originate.
Given the prevalence of toxic exposures on overseas bases, ensure your attorney understands how to build DBA cases involving burn pit exposure, including evidence collection, medical causation, and navigating statute-of-limitations and equitable tolling issues.
Specialized DBA Case Experience
Defense Base Act cases require attorneys with specialized experience in federal workers’ compensation law, overseas employment matters, and military contracting regulations rather than general workers’ compensation practitioners. General workers’ compensation attorneys typically handle state-level claims that differ substantially from DBA cases in both procedural requirements and substantive law.
Claims proceed before the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), part of the U.S. Department of Labor, which operates under distinct federal procedures found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Attorneys handling these cases must understand how to properly document incidents that occurred in conflict zones or remote locations where traditional evidence gathering proves difficult or impossible. As part of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act framework, DBA claims are administered by the DLHWC under the 33 U.S.C. §§ 901–950, which guides benefits, procedures, and adjudication.
Qualified DBA counsel maintains established relationships with medical and vocational experts who provide expert witness testimony in federal proceedings. These experts evaluate injuries sustained in austere environments, assess functional capacity for overseas contract work, and calculate wage loss in the context of tax-free income and overseas allowances that typically comprise 30 to 40 percent of total contractor compensation.
Insurance carriers dispute approximately 60 percent of initial DBA claims according to data from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dlhwc). Specialized attorneys familiar with carrier defense tactics and OALJ precedent increase the likelihood of favorable compensation outcomes, particularly in cases involving psychiatric injuries, cumulative trauma, or causation disputes related to combat zone exposures.
Proven Track Record Success
Selecting a Defense Base Act attorney in Maryland requires careful evaluation of their actual results rather than marketing promises. You deserve representation backed by documented case outcomes showing real benefits recovered for injured contractors like yourself.
Look for attorneys who’ve successfully challenged denied claims and secured favorable settlements through both negotiation and litigation.
When researching potential lawyers, focus on these indicators of proven success:
- Documented recoveries showing millions obtained for clients in similar circumstances
- Client testimonials describing positive experiences and favorable results in complex cases
- Recognition from legal organizations and peers confirming their reputation
Concrete evidence of past victories provides confidence for your claim ahead.
Major Defense Contractors and Military Installations in Maryland
Maryland stands as one of the nation’s most concentrated hubs for defense contracting and military operations, with 9,600 aerospace and defense-related businesses generating $37.8 billion in annual economic activity across the state.
You’ll find major employers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman alongside critical installations including Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and Joint Base Andrews.
These defense suppliers and military research facilities employ thousands of civilian contractors working in cybersecurity, weapons testing, and aerospace technology.
This concentration means Maryland workers face unique injury risks requiring specialized legal representation when accidents occur on these federal projects.
Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation With a Maryland DBA Lawyer
Your first conversation with a Defense Base Act attorney represents your opportunity to evaluate whether they possess the specific knowledge and resources needed to handle your claim effectively.
Come prepared to discuss essential topics that will shape your working relationship:
- Case strategy: Ask how they’ll approach your specific injury claim and their experience with similar cases
- Fee structure: Confirm that attorney fees require judge approval and you won’t pay upfront costs
- Communication preferences: Establish how often you’ll receive updates and through which channels
Understanding client expectations early guarantees you’re partnering with someone who genuinely comprehends your situation.
How Maryland Workers’ Compensation Laws Differ From Defense Base Act Claims
While both systems provide workplace injury protection, understanding the distinctions between Maryland Workers’ Compensation and Defense Base Act claims can significantly impact your benefits and legal options.
Maryland’s program covers in-state injuries through state-level processes, while DBA protects overseas contractors under federal law. These statute differences mean DBA claims go through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, not Maryland’s Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Benefit comparisons reveal DBA often provides medical coverage for the full duration of treatment without predetermined limits and includes cost-of-living adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index, whereas Maryland sets maximum weekly compensation rates at $1,084 as of July 1, 2023, and caps permanent partial disability benefits at 500 weeks for most injuries.
You’ll need specialized legal guidance to navigate whichever system applies to your situation.
Evaluating Track Records: Success Rates of Defense Base Act Lawyers in Maryland
Once you understand which compensation system applies to your overseas injury, selecting the right attorney to handle your Defense Base Act claim becomes equally important. You’ll want to examine case outcomes carefully, as top Maryland DBA lawyers have collectively recovered over $500 million for contractors like you.
When evaluating potential representation, focus on these track record indicators:
- Settlement increases – experienced attorneys often secure sevenfold improvements over initial offers
- Denied claim reversals – skilled advocates regularly overturn administrative rejections
- Claim timelines – specialized firms navigate federal processes efficiently, meeting critical deadlines
This proven expertise directly impacts your financial recovery.
Common Defense Base Act Claim Denials Faced by Maryland Contractors
Defense Base Act claims face rejection for surprisingly specific reasons, many of which Maryland contractors encounter only after they’ve invested months in the process.
Late filings represent the most preventable denials. Missing that 30-day notification window or the one-year Form LS-203 deadline often results in automatic rejection, regardless of your injury’s severity.
Medical causation issues create another major obstacle. Insurers routinely deny claims when doctors can’t definitively connect your condition to workplace duties.
Pre-existing conditions complicate matters further.
Paperwork errors, from missing signatures to incomplete documentation, provide insurers convenient grounds for denial before evaluating your actual injury.
What Makes Grossman Attorneys at Law the Best Defense Base Act Lawyers in Maryland?
- 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 Maryland’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 Maryland DBA Lawyers at Grossman Attorneys Help With Your Claim
If you’re a Maryland resident or a contractor with ties to Maryland 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.
