Defense Base Act

Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC)

Longshore DBA Page

ON THIS PAGE

What's New
Overview
Insurance Information
Benefits and Claims
Law Reference Materials
War Hazards Compensation Act Resources

Welcome to the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLHWC) Defense Base Act (DBA) page. The Defense Base Act provides workers' compensation protection to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or for national defense. This page contains general information regarding the Defense Base Act that may be of interest to government contracting officials, U.S. government contractors, insurance professionals, covered employees and their families, and others in the workers' compensation claims community.

What's New

Overview

June 2012 - Introduction to the Defense Base Act (pdf version): Background and History; Roles and Responsibilities; Insurance and Waivers, presented by OWCP/DLHWC Branch Chiefs Brandon Miller and Eric Richardson at the ACE International Insurance DBA Seminar in Washington, D.C.
Explaining DBA - Basic information about DBA coverage, insurance, benefits, and how to file a claim.
Defense Base Act History & Purpose (pdf - slide) (pdf - handout) (htm) - A PowerPoint Presentation on the history and purpose of the DBA.
DEFENSE BASE ACT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) - Questions and answers about the DBA.
DBA Notice to Employees - Handy (one page) reference for contractor employees on how and where to report an injury and to file a claim.

Insurance Information

Insurance and Waiver (pdf) (htm) - A PowerPoint Presentation about the insurance requirements under the DBA
DBA Insurance What Is Needed and How to Buy It (pdf) (htm)
Request for Waiver - Defense Base Act, Form BEC 565 - Print the form that is required to request a Waiver from the Department of Labor. But be sure you have read the "Insurance and Waiver" presentation first!.
DBA Waiver Comparison Chart
Current Active Waivers List.
Memo of December 8, 2003, Director, Defense Procurement And Acquisition Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (pdf) (htm) - Memo of the OSD to all DOD contracting officials affirming the need for DBA insurance on overseas contracts.
Longshore Authorized Carriers and Self-Insured Employers - A list of all insurance carriers currently authorized by the Department of Labor to provide DBA insurance.

Benefits and Claims

Benefits under the Defense Base Act (pdf) (htm) - A PowerPoint Presentation about what benefits are available to employees and their families in the event of injury or death.
National Average Weekly Wage Table - Table showing current and historical maximum and minimum benefit rates under the Longshore Act.
DBA Claim Administration (pdf) (htm) - A Power Point Presentation about the roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Officer, Employer, Insurance Carrier, and Employee under the DBA.
DBA Claim Administration Status Report (pdf) (htm)
Defense Base Act (DBA) jurisdictional boundries - Find the appropriate Longshore District office where your claim should be filed.
Longshore District Offices Contact Information - Contact information for all OWCP National Office and District Offices.
Longshore Forms - Claim forms and injury reports are available for download at this site.
Longshore District Office Flow Chart (pdf) (htm) - A schematic diagram showing how claims are processed in the District Office.
Settlements and Commutations (pdf) (htm) - A Power Point Presentation about how DBA claims are settled and commuted.