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U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards
Administration Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Division of
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Washington, D.C. 20210
Notice to Employees Working for U.S.
Government Contractors Overseas
What You Should Know Before You are Injured
- The Defense Base Act provides disability compensation, medical
treatment, and vocational rehabilitation to workers injured at work and death
benefits to survivors when the worker is killed on the job. You need not be a
U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident to obtain these benefits.
- Ask your employer if you are covered for workers' compensation under
the Defense Base Act. If you are not covered under the Defense Base Act, ask
under what workers' compensation laws are you covered when you work overseas.
- Ask your employer for the name, address, and phone number of the
person to whom you should report your injury. Write down the information
here.
- Ask your employer for the name, address, and phone number of the
insurance company that will handle your workers' compensation claim when you
are injured. Write down the information here.
What to do When You are Injured at Work
- NOTIFY YOUR EMPLOYER IMMEDIATELY. Notice should be given to
the person identified above. If possible, complete Form LS-201, Notice of
Injury, available from your employer.
- MEDICAL TREATMENT. Request authority from your employer for
treatment by the physician you choose. In an emergency or if you are unable to
contact your employer, go to the nearest hospital or physician, but be sure to
let your employer know as soon as possible.
- DISABILITY. If you are disabled more than 3 days, contact your
employer or the insurance company indicated above for payment of compensation,
payable 14 days after your employer has knowledge of injury.
- IMPORTANT! The law requires you to give written notice of
injury (Form LS-201) to your employer and to the Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs (OWCP) within 30 days. Additional time may be allowed for
certain hearing loss and occupational disease claims. Notice should be sent to
the District Director at one of the following addresses:
- OWCP/DLHWC, P.O. Box 249, New York, NY 10014-0249, USA, or
OWCP/DLHWC, 300 Ala Moana, Box 50209, Honolulu, HI 96850, USA
- FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION. On request, the Office of
Workers' Compensation Programs will explain benefits and proceedings under the
Defense Base Act. Its staff will also provide information on medical and
vocational services, and will assist in obtaining such benefits. Information is
also available online.
Important Notice
Section 31 (a)(1) of the Longshore Act, 33 U.S.C. 931(a)(1), provides as
follows: Any claimant or representative of a claimant who knowingly and
willfully makes a false statement or representation for the purpose of
obtaining a benefit or payment under this Act shall be guilty of a felony, and
on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000, by
imprisonment not to exceed five years, or by both.
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