|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Loyola Law School &
U. S. Department of Labor
OWCP DBA Conference October 2008
Defense Base Act Insurance and Claims Administration
1. Employer Responsibility
2. Insurance Carrier Responsibility
3. Employee Responsibility
4. Role of the OWCP District Office
5. Contact Us
Employer Responsibility
- Secure Defense Base Act insurance before employees are deployed overseas.
- Post Notice to Employee, Form LS-241.
- Inform employees about DBA benefits and how to report a work-related injury.
- File Employer’s Report of Injury within 10 days of receiving notice of employee injury or death.
- Notify the insurance carrier of employee injury or death.
- Authorize medical care when requested or upon knowledge of injury.
- Provide earnings, employment, medical, and other records to the OWCP when requested.
- Assist the employee or survivors to file claim for benefits.
Insurance Carrier Responsibility
- File Insurance Card Form LS-570 with the District Director having jurisdiction of claims – New York or Honolulu.
- Educate the insured employer of its rights and responsibilities under the LHWCA and the DBA.
- The insurance carrier stands in the shoes of the employer.
- Upon receiving notice of injury or death, investigate the compensability of the claim, and determine if compensation and medical care are payable.
- Ensure necessary medical care has been authorized and medical providers have been given billing and reporting instructions.
- First payment of compensation is due 14 days from the first day of disability. No compensation is due if time loss is 3 days or less.
- If carrier determines that benefits should be delayed or denied, a Notice of Controversion must be filed with the OWCP within 14 days of the compensation due date.
- File the required forms and records with the OWCP to apprise the District Director of the claimant’s compensation status.
- File medical reports with the OWCP to apprise the District Director of the employee’s medical progress and disability status.
Employee Responsibility
- Report injury to employer as soon as possible.
- Request authorization for medical care when needed. Employee has a free choice of treating physician but treatment must be authorized in advance.
- Cooperate with employer/carrier in the investigation of the claim.
- Provide documents and medical reports to the OWCP upon request.
- Attend medical examination arranged by employer/carrier or by the District Director, when requested.
- Complete Employee’s Report of Earnings, Form LS-200, when requested (no more than twice a year).
- File a written Claim for Compensation within one year of the date of injury or one year of last payment of compensation, whichever is later.
Actions by the OWCP
1. Authorize insurance carriers and self-insured employers to secure compensation liability and maintain insurance coverage records.
2. Create and maintain OWCP case files for reports/claims filed under the Act.
3. Ascertain the prompt and proper payment of compensation when due.
4. Monitor and supervise medical care.
5. Assist in the informal resolution of claims via phone, correspondence, and informal conferences.
6. Provide Information and Assistance on claim and reporting procedures.
7. Approve and issue orders for stipulated awards and settlement of claims when all parties are in agreement.
8. Issue discretionary orders on attorney fees and on medical care, and supplemental orders of default.
9. Refer cases to the Office of Administrative Law Judges for formal hearing when informal claim resolution fails.
10. Provide vocational rehabilitation services.
11. Assess statutory penalties and fines.
Where to Report DBA Claims
New York District Office
Richard V. Robilotti, District Director
U.S. Department of Labor ESA/OWCP/DLHWC
Physical Address:
201 Varick Street, Room 750
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 249
New York, NY 10014-0249
Phone #: 646 264-3010
Fax #: 646 264-3002
Honolulu District Office
R. Todd Bruininks, District Director
U.S. Department of Labor ESA/OWCP/DLHWC
Physical Address:
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 5-135
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 50209
Honolulu, HI 96850
Phone #: 808-541-1983
Fax #: 808-541-1758
DLHWC Website
http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/dlhwc/index.htm.
- Statutes and Regulations
- Contact Information for all Longshore Offices
- Longshore Forms
- Defense Base Act Page
- Max and Min, NAWW, Mileage, and Interest Rates
- Longshore Procedure Manual
- Links to OALJ and BRB websites
Contact DLHWC National Office
- Mail Address: OWCP/DLHWC
200 Constitution Ave NW, C-4315
Washington DC 20210
| |
|
