What Compensation is Available under the Defense Base Act?

For workers overseas who are working on U.S. military installations, or on behalf the Department of Defense (DOD), there are significant benefits available for those who are injured on the job. Notably, injured workers do not need to be United States citizens or residents to obtain these benefits. Medical Expenses The Defense Base Act (DBA) allows injured workers to receive …

The Science of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by extremely stressful or horrific event(s).  PTSD can be caused by either personally experiencing a terrifying event or merely by witnessing one.  Examples of traumatic events could be the death of another, the threat of death, serious injury, physical abuse, or sexual assault. It should be noted that anyone who …

FREE Service Dogs for Vets with PTSD

Many military veterans throughout the country suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Approximately 20 percent of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan may have PTSD. While this ailment has gained much-needed attention recently, it still is going untreated and underreported in the medical community. PTSD often manifests itself with symptoms of stress, depression, or anxiety as a result of experiencing …

Humanitarian Aid Efforts Often Result In Injured Workers

The news has been full of the horrific scenes coming out of Nepal. The worst earthquake to hit Nepal in nearly a century was a 7.8 magnitude. It leveled homes and businesses, caused avalanches on Mount Everest and has kept the populace on edge ever since with its aftershocks. Some of these aftershocks have resulted in additional damage to the …

Worker’s Compensation Changes May Harm the Injured

In many states, like Florida, workers’ compensation advocates are fighting to prevent “reforms” of the state laws meant to protect the rights of workers that are injured while on the job. Toted as “cost-saving” strategy, and referred to as “reform efforts”, many states’ legislatures have permitted the once pro-injured-worker state workers’ compensation laws to be whittled away into a vague …

Department of Labor April News Brief

DOL in Action Railroad Retaliation Nets $100,000 for Injured Worker An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that management of the Union Pacific Railroad added insult to injury when it blamed a worker who was injured on the job and then suspended him without pay for reporting his injury. Union Pacific violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act …

Who is Covered Under the NFIA and What Benefits Can They Receive?

Civilian employees working for businesses and private employers charged with providing support and other useful services to the United State military are provided no-fault workers’ compensation for injuries sustained while on the job under the Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act (NFIA). The NFIA is an extension of the provisions of the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, which is federal law …

Understanding the “Zone of Special Danger” Doctrine

Working as a private military contractor inherently carries certain risks. The job requires the contractor to travel overseas to complete the contract, and many times the contractor is required to endure harsh terrains, dangerous geographical locations, limited access to the outside world, openly hostile locals, or less than ideal living conditions. Private military contractors are often deployed to unstable regions …

Five Common Workplace Injuries in Florida

Many Florida workers are injured in the workplace each year, and when workers are hurt while on the job, they need to be compensated for their lost earnings and medical care costs. Workers that are at a high risk of injury while on the job include factory workers, utility workers, law enforcement officers and construction workers. But even seemingly safe …

Sherman Order: 2013-LDA-00160

DECISION AND ORDER This case arises from a claim for compensation under the Defense Base Act extension to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 901, et. seq., hereinafter referred to as the “LHWCA” or the “Act” and the implementing regulations, 20 C.F.R. parts 701 and 702.  See 33 U.S.C. § 905(a). This claim involves controverted claimed …

March 2015 Newsletter

A NEW WEBSITE EXPERIENCE We are proud to announce our website has undergone an extensive upgrade, and it is now available online! We worked closely with our web designers to produce a fresh web experience, integrating many new behind-the-scenes enhancements that allow visitors an opportunity to follow us on social media, read our blogs, and read our Facebook and Forum …