If you’ve been injured while working for a defense contractor in South Carolina, you’re facing a complex federal claims process that’s vastly different from standard workers’ compensation. The Defense Base Act, or DBA, covers civilian contractors supporting military operations, and finding the best attorney for your DBA claim means finding one who truly understands this specialized area can make the difference between a denied claim and full benefits. You’ll need someone who knows how to navigate the unique challenges South Carolina contractors face when seeking medical care and wage replacement.
Understanding Defense Base Act Coverage for South Carolina Military Contractors
When South Carolina contractors accept projects supporting U.S. military operations overseas, they enter a distinct legal framework that most don’t fully understand until an injury occurs. The Department of Labor can grant DBA waivers in certain circumstances, but U.S. citizens and employees hired in the U.S. are not eligible for such waivers.
The Defense Base Act extends workers’ compensation protection to your employees working abroad, whether they’re security personnel, electricians, or linguists.
- Your contractor obligations include securing DBA insurance for everyone on your team, including host country nationals and third-country workers.
- This coverage doesn’t transfer between companies automatically.
- Each contractor and subcontractor must verify active policies exist.
Understanding these requirements protects both your business and the people you employ overseas.
If a claim is denied, it can still be approved on appeal, and strong medical evidence and experienced DBA attorneys significantly improve your chances.
Major Defense Contracting Companies and Military Installations in South Carolina
South Carolina’s defense industry represents one of the state’s largest employment sectors, with contractors and military installations creating thousands of jobs that frequently involve overseas deployments under Defense Base Act coverage. A related federal framework, the Longshore Act, provides the statutory foundation for administering Defense Base Act benefits through the DLHWC.
Major employers include Boeing’s North Charleston facility producing 787 Dreamliners, Lockheed Martin’s Greenville operations supporting F-35 programs, and General Dynamics facilities in Aiken.
These companies form critical defense supply chains alongside military infrastructure including Fort Jackson, Joint Base Charleston, Shaw Air Force Base, and Marine Corps installations at Parris Island and Beaufort.
Together, they generate over $1.57 billion annually while employing thousands who may need DBA protection during overseas assignments.
Workers and contractors deploying from these locations should be aware that DBA claims can be denied without proper documentation and evidence, making early record-keeping and medical reporting essential.
Key Qualifications to Look for in a South Carolina Defense Base Act Attorney
A South Carolina Defense Base Act attorney must possess specialized federal workers’ compensation credentials that extend beyond standard personal injury practice, as the DBA governs approximately 250,000 civilian contractors working on U.S. military installations worldwide as of 2024. Most personal injury attorneys never handle DBA cases during their entire careers, making targeted experience evaluation critical when selecting representation.
Local South Carolina licensing provides attorneys with direct knowledge of regional military installations including Joint Base Charleston, Shaw Air Force Base, Fort Jackson, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and Parris Island, where contractor employment patterns create distinct claim scenarios. Attorneys admitted to practice in South Carolina federal courts understand jurisdiction-specific procedures before Administrative Law Judges handling DBA claims in the Charleston and Columbia areas.
Proven DBA case history separates qualified attorneys from generalists, with successful representation requiring documented experience securing medical benefits, temporary total disability compensation at 66.67% of average weekly wages, permanent partial disability awards, and vocational rehabilitation approvals. Attorneys should demonstrate familiarity with Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act extensions that form the DBA’s foundation, including coverage for employees injured anywhere outside the United States while supporting military operations.
The Zone of Special Danger doctrine expertise becomes essential when injuries occur from war-risk hazards rather than employment duties, as established in cases like O’Leary v. Brown-Pacific-Maxon Inc., 340 U.S. 504 (1951). Qualified attorneys understand insurance carrier tactics including surveillance deployment, independent medical examination scheduling, and voluntary payment cessation strategies employed by major DBA carriers such as AIG, CNA, and ACE American Insurance Company.
Strong client communication protocols throughout federal proceedings spanning 12 to 36 months maintain transparency during Department of Labor claim filing, informal conference scheduling, formal hearing preparation, Benefits Review Board appeals, and potential federal circuit court litigation. This specialized expertise directly determines whether claimants receive maximum medical benefits, accurate disability ratings, and appropriate settlement values ranging from $50,000 to over $1 million depending on injury severity and wage loss calculations. In addition, experienced counsel can advise civilian contractors exposed to burn pits on Defense Base Act claim pathways and the importance of timely filing despite potential statute of limitations issues.
How to Evaluate a Lawyer’s Track Record With DBA Claims in South Carolina
Examining specific case outcomes provides the most reliable indicator of a DBA attorney’s capability to secure maximum compensation for injured contractors working on U.S. military installations worldwide.
You’ll want to review settlement patterns showing benefit amounts significantly exceeding initial offers. Look for litigation outcomes in appeals of denied claims and successful court proceedings.
Consider these evaluation criteria:
- Total benefits recovered: Firms documenting $500 million-plus in settlements demonstrate proven results
- Appeal success rates: Experience overturning claim denials through strategic litigation
- Complex case handling: Track record with Zone of Special Danger doctrine and multi-jurisdictional disputes
- Settlement multipliers: Cases where final compensation exceeded expectations several times over
- Transparent fee arrangements: Court-approved structures with no client out-of-pocket costs
Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation With a South Carolina DBA Lawyer
Your initial consultation with a Defense Base Act attorney represents your opportunity to assess whether they possess the specialized knowledge and strategic approach necessary to maximize your injury claim.
Ask directly about their experience handling South Carolina contractor cases and their success rates with specific numbers (such as the percentage of cases won or the number of settlements secured in the past 24 months).
- Discuss their case management approach, including communication frequency and timeline expectations.
- Clarify the fee structure upfront, though DBA law typically requires insurers to pay attorney fees when you prevail.
- Inquire about their litigation strategy if negotiations fail and how they’ll strengthen your claim with medical evidence.
These questions reveal whether you’ve found your advocate.
What Makes Grossman Attorneys at Law the Best Defense Base Act Lawyers in South Carolina
- 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 South Carolina’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 South Carolina DBA Lawyers at Grossman Attorneys Help With Your Claim
If you’re a South Carolina resident or a contractor with ties to South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.
