Diagnosed with PTSD after working overseas as a civilian contractor? Psychological injuries are covered under the Defense Base Act, and insurers deny them most often. Templer & Hirsch handle DBA PTSD claims nationwide. Free case review.
If you came home from overseas and you do not feel like yourself, that is not weakness, and you are not alone. Many contractors carry this quietly for years before they tell anyone. We believe you, and we can help you get the care and the benefits you earned. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is one of the most common and hardest conditions faced by civilian contractors who work in war zones and other dangerous places overseas. The Defense Base Act covers PTSD and other mental health injuries that come from overseas government contract work, but insurance companies fight these claims all the time. The DBA PTSD lawyers at Templer & Hirsch work to make sure you get the mental health benefits you deserve. In our experience, these claims are denied far more often than physical injury claims, not because the trauma isn't real, but because the insurer is betting you'll give up before the medical evidence is fully documented.
DBA Coverage for PTSD
The Defense Base Act covers mental health injuries, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, that come out of your overseas government contract work. You do not need a physical injury to qualify for DBA benefits for PTSD. Living through combat, seeing traumatic events, or facing life-threatening situations can all be the basis for a valid DBA PTSD claim.
Why DBA PTSD Claims Are Frequently Denied
Insurance companies turn down DBA PTSD claims more often than physical injury claims. They often argue that the PTSD was there before the job, that your work did not expose you to enough trauma, that the diagnosis is not backed by medical proof, or that you are still able to work. We know how to answer each of these arguments and build a strong case for your PTSD benefits. Learn what the evidence looks like in our guide to proving your PTSD claim under the Defense Base Act.
What Benefits Are Available?
A successful DBA PTSD claim can pay for medical treatment such as therapy and psychiatric care, temporary total and partial disability benefits, permanent disability compensation, and job retraining. In cases where PTSD leads to death by suicide, death benefits may be available for surviving dependents. A DBA PTSD claim can be worth a great deal. Use our free DBA Settlement Calculator to get an idea of your potential benefits.
Getting Help
If you are living with PTSD or other mental health injuries from your overseas contractor work, you do not have to take on the insurance company alone. Templer & Hirsch offers free, private consultations for DBA PTSD claims and works on a contingency fee basis. Contact us today to talk about your claim.
PTSD Is a Covered Injury Under the Defense Base Act
The Defense Base Act (42 U.S.C. § 1651) extends the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901) to civilians working overseas on U.S. government contracts. It covers not only physical injuries but psychological injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder, which are common after service in a war zone.
How much of your pay Defense Base Act benefits replace
Weekly payment while you cannot work, as a share of your normal weekly pay
Your average weekly wage
Your full weekly pay
DBA disability payment
66⅔% of your weekly pay
DBA disability benefits are generally paid at two-thirds (66⅔%) of your average weekly wage, subject to federal maximums, plus medical care for the covered injury, including PTSD treatment.
66⅔%Of average weekly wage paid for disability
30 daysTo report the injury to your employer
1 yearGeneral deadline to file a DBA claim
PTSD claims are real DBA claims, and they get contested. Insurers often dispute whether a psychological injury is work-related or how severe it is. Documentation, medical evidence, and meeting the notice deadlines are critical. For the broader program and related overseas-contractor claims, see our Defense Base Act and longshore injury pages.
Where We Handle Defense Base Act PTSD Lawyer Cases
We represent overseas U.S. government contractors nationwide and from across Florida, including:
David L. Templer and Mark Hirsch at the firm's Aventura office
David L. Templer and Mark Hirsch have practiced from the same Aventura office for more than 35 years and have recovered over $100 million for injured people. You speak with an attorney, not a case manager, and the attorney you speak with is the attorney who handles your file.
Yes. PTSD and other psychological injuries arising from covered overseas contract work are compensable under the Defense Base Act, which incorporates the Longshore Act. Benefits can include disability payments and medical treatment for the condition.
Who is eligible for Defense Base Act benefits?
Civilians working overseas under a contract with the U.S. government or on U.S. military bases, including support staff, security contractors, interpreters, and construction workers, are generally covered, regardless of nationality.
How much does the Defense Base Act pay?
Disability benefits are typically two-thirds (66⅔%) of your average weekly wage, subject to federal maximum rates, along with medical care for the covered injury. The exact amount depends on your wages and the nature and extent of your disability.
What are the deadlines for a DBA claim?
You generally must give written notice of the injury to your employer within 30 days and file a formal claim within one year (or, for some occupational conditions, within one year of when you knew the injury was work-related). Because insurers contest these claims, early legal help is valuable.
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