Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)

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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

Hello and 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 US 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 (DBA) that may be of interest to government contracting officials, US government contractors, insurance professionals, covered employees and their families, and others in the workers' compensation claims community.

What's New

• Defense Base Act Conference in Washington DC - Loyola University New Orleans College of Law will hold a two-day Defense Base Act Conference on October 23 and 24, 2008, at the Washington Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.
• Industry Notice No-122 (September 20, 2007 - Transfer of Defense Base Act Cases from the New York Longshore District Office to Other Longshore District Offices ) PDF Version

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Overview

• Explaining DBA PDF version - 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) Click here for a PDF version - Questions and answers about the DBA.
• DBA Notice to Employees (pdf version) Click here for the htm version - Handy (one page) reference for contractor employees on how and where to report an injury and to file a claim.

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Insurance Information

• Insurance and Waiver (pdf - slide) (pdf - handout) (htm) - A PowerPoint Presentation about the insurance requirements under the DBA
• 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!.
• 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.
• US Army Corps of Engineers DBA Insurance Pilot Program - Link to the USACE DBA Insurance website.
• LONGSHORE AUTHORIZED CARRIERS AND SELF-INSURED EMPLOYERS A list of all insurance carriers currently authorized by the Department of Labor to provide DBA insurance.

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Benefits and Claims

• Benefits under the Defense Base Act (pdf - slide) (pdf - handout) (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 Insurance and Administration (pdf - slide) (pdf - handout) (htm) - A Power Point Presentation about the roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Officer, Employer, Insurance Carrier, and Employee under the DBA.
• The Role of the OWCP District Office (pdf - slide) (pdf - handout) (htm) - A Power Point Presentation about the role and responsibilities of the OWCP District Office in processing claims, resolving disputes, and formal adjudication of claims.
• Defense Base Act (DBA) jurisdictional boundries - Find the appropriate Longshore District office where your claim should be filed.
• New York District Office Contact Information
• Longshore District Offices Contact Information - Contact information for all OWCP National Office and District Offices.
• Longshore Forms
  http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/dlhwc/lsforms.htm - 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 - slide) (pdf - handout) (htm) - A Power Point Presentation about how DBA claims are settled and commuted.

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Law Reference Materials

• Defense Base Act - the Statute, 42 USC § 1651 et seq.
• Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, the Statute, 33 USC § 901 et seq.
• Code of Federal Regulations, 20 CFR § 702, Longshore Administration and Procedure
• Legal Commentary: "The Defense Base Act, A Growth Industry?" by Kerry J. Anzalone, Counsel for Longshore, Office of Administrative Law Judges, U.S. Department of Labor

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War Hazards Compensation Act Resources:

• The Statute: War Hazards Compensation Act
• The Regulations: Title 20, Part 61
• FECA Procedure Manual, Part 4, Chapter 4-0300
• OWCP Bulletin 05-01, War Hazard Compensation Act-Claims for Reimbursement and Detention Benefit Procedures