1. Immediately notify your employer of your injury and get a copy of the incident report for your records.
2. Take photographs and video of the scene of your injury, any tools, machinery or devices that caused your injury, and of your injury (a cellular phone camera will do).
   
3. Write down the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all witnesses to your accident. Because of the nature of your work, they may be harder to find after.
   
4. Write down the name and identifying information for the job you were doing at the time of your injury as well as the names, addresses, telephone numbers and units of any military personnel that witnessed the incident.
5. Obtain a Form LS-1 from your employer, which authorizes treatment by a doctor of your choice. You do not need to choose a doctor from a list provided to you.Research doctors to find the most suitable doctor.
6. Obtain medical treatment and make sure you attend all your appointments. Make sure to be open and honest with your physician about previous injuries and your current injuries. Under the Defense Base Act, employers are 100% liable for your injury, even if it is an aggravation of a previous injury. Your employer’s insurance company will dig into your background to find any previous injuries that you did not disclose.
   
7. Provide your employer notice (using Form LS-201) of your injury within 30 days, even if your injury is minor.
8. Obtain all wage statements for the 52 weeks prior to your injury.
9. Seek the advice of a lawyer experienced in litigating Defense Base Act claims.
10. File a written claim for compensation within one year of your injury.

To speak with one of our Defense Base Act attorneys today call 800-940-8048. If you would like us to contact you, please complete the contact us form. Our attorneys never charge a fee for consultations and are available at night and on the weekends.

Grossman Attorneys at Law. Wherever you need us to be.