If you worked in Iraq or Afghanistan as a contractor, you might be entitled to certain benefits and protections under the law.

The DBA covers workers who are injured or killed while working on projects supported by the U.S. government, such as construction, maintenance, repair, or operation of facilities and buildings. It also applies to workers who provide services, such as security, transportation, and sanitation.

If you are injured or become ill while working on a U.S. government-supported project in Iraq or Afghanistan, you should immediately report your injury or illness to your employer and seek medical attention. Your employer is required to provide you with the necessary forms and instructions for filing a claim. You should also contact an experienced DBA attorney to discuss your rights and options under the law.

An Outline of Your Rights under the DBA

The DBA provides several benefits to covered workers, including:

• Medical expenses – all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injury will be covered. This includes hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation and any other treatment deemed necessary by your doctor.
• Wage replacement – you will receive two-thirds of your average weekly wages while you are unable to work.
• Permanent disability benefits – if your injury results in a permanent disability, you may be entitled to additional benefits.
• Death benefits – if your loved one was killed while working on a U.S. military base or under a government contract, you may be eligible for death benefits.

In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you may also be entitled to additional benefits under the Veterans’ Administration (V.A.) or Social Security Administration (SSA).

If your injury has resulted in a permanent disability, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the V.A. or SSA.

What You Need to Do to Receive Benefits

It is important to note that, to receive benefits, you must prove that your work on a DBA-covered contract caused your injury or illness. This can be difficult to do, especially if you were injured in a war zone. Therefore, keeping careful records of your work activities and any injuries or illnesses, you sustained while working is important.

It is also important to note that, if you are seeking benefits for a disease that you contracted while working on a DBA-covered contract, there may be a time limit on when you can file your claim. For example, if you contract an asbestos-related disease, you must file your claim within two years of the date that you knew or should have known that your work caused your disease.

If you have any questions about the DBA or your rights as a contractor, you should contact an experienced attorney.

Call 1-954-408-7408 or send an email to javier@dbainjury.com to talk to a DBA Injury Benefits Attorney. Javier Ruiz, Esq. has represented injured contractors from KBR, FLUOR , DynCorp, Vectrus and Labor Support Services who worked in Iraq and Afghanistan. Javier Ruiz, Esq. has represented contractors from India, Kosovo, Macedonia, the USA, Bosnia, and the Philippines.