Defense Base Act Lawyers in New Hampshire

If you were injured while working abroad for a New Hampshire defense contractor like BAE Systems, Textron, or General Dynamics, the Defense Base Act covers your claim. This federal workers’ compensation law protects civilians injured on U.S. government contracts overseas, but navigating the claims process from thousands of miles away presents serious challenges. Insurance carriers often delay or deny legitimate claims, hoping injured workers will simply give up.

Grossman Attorneys at Law has spent decades helping overseas contractors secure the medical care and wage replacement benefits they deserve. Our attorneys know how to negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and have recovered millions for injured workers. Because the law requires insurers to pay attorney fees in successful cases, our clients pay nothing out of pocket.

You served your country abroad and deserve full compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation about your Defense Base Act claim.

What is the Defense Base Act?

The Defense Base Act is a federal workers’ compensation law that automatically provides coverage for civilian workers injured while supporting U.S. military operations or government contracts overseas. It also provides centralized resources through the Department of Labor’s Defense Base Act hub that explain coverage, insurance requirements, waiver procedures, benefits/claims, and legal references.

Congress passed this legislation on August 16, 1941 (42 U.S.C. § 1651 et seq.), establishing mandatory insurance requirements for contractors employing civilians outside the United States in support of American defense interests.

The law covers various employment situations:

• Work on U.S. military bases and installations worldwide
• Government contracts supporting American operations overseas
• Public works projects funded by U.S. agencies abroad
• Welfare and security operations in foreign countries

Understanding this statutory framework helps you recognize your protected status as a deployed contractor under federal law.

It extends the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to cover overseas defense-related employment through the Defense Base Act, administered by the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.

DBA Insurance Coverage for Overseas Contractors from New Hampshire

If you’re a New Hampshire resident who worked overseas for a U.S. government contractor, understanding which types of employment qualify for DBA insurance determines whether you can file a claim for your injuries or illness. Under embassy guidance, overseas contractor employees are entitled to DBA coverage and should follow specified steps to report injuries and file claims to access medical and wage-replacement benefits.

The Defense Base Act covers several distinct categories of overseas work, and your employer was legally required to carry DBA insurance if your position fell within these protected classifications.

Let’s examine the specific employment types that trigger mandatory DBA coverage and how they apply to contractors deployed from New Hampshire.

Employers and their subcontractors must secure required DBA coverage, and many obtain it through single-source programs to ensure compliance and streamline procurement.

Types of Employment Covered Under DBA Insurance

Defense Base Act insurance protects employees working on U.S. government contracts in overseas locations, covering significantly more worker categories than most people assume. Understanding contractor classifications helps you determine whether you’re entitled to benefits if you’re injured abroad. Engaging a knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate DBA claims requirements, deadlines, and interactions with insurance companies.

DBA insurance typically covers:

• Construction workers building military facilities and infrastructure
• Security personnel protecting U.S. government installations and personnel
• Mechanics maintaining equipment, vehicles, and aircraft
• Food service workers, translators, IT specialists, and administrative staff

Common coverage exclusions include independent contractors who purchase their own insurance and workers covered under other federal programs like the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act or the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.

Even non-traditional roles qualify if your employer held a U.S. government contract requiring overseas work. DBA operates as a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove employer negligence to seek benefits for covered injuries and illnesses.

How Our New Hampshire DBA Claim Attorneys Can Help

Our New Hampshire DBA claim attorneys provide comprehensive legal representation for defense contractors and civilian workers injured while working overseas under federal government contracts. Benefits are paid by the employer’s insurance carrier, not the government, and we help clients understand how AWW limits and payment rates can affect their recovery.

We handle the complete spectrum of DBA cases, from initial claim filing through administrative hearings before the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs and appeals to the Benefits Review Board or federal circuit courts.

We also advise clients on the significance of reaching Maximum Medical Improvement, which can affect disability ratings, benefit calculations, and settlement strategy in DBA claims.

Our legal team secures detailed medical documentation from treating physicians, obtains independent medical examinations when necessary, and compiles vocational expert testimony to establish the full extent of your work-related injuries and resulting disability ratings.

We challenge insurance carriers who issue lowball settlement offers by conducting thorough economic analyses of your wage loss, including calculations of average weekly wage based on your actual earnings during the 52 weeks prior to injury as required under 33 U.S.C. § 910.

Our attorneys document all compensable losses, including medical expenses covered under 33 U.S.C. § 907, temporary total disability benefits at two-thirds of your average weekly wage per 33 U.S.C. § 906, and permanent partial or total disability compensation based on the American Medical Association’s Guidelines to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

When insurance companies deny valid claims or terminate benefits without proper medical evidence, we represent clients at formal hearings before administrative law judges and pursue federal court appeals when carriers refuse to provide the compensation mandated by the Defense Base Act.

Gather and Preserve Critical Evidence

Building a strong Defense Base Act claim depends on collecting the right documentation before critical details fade or disappear entirely.

We’ll secure witness statements from coworkers who observed your injury or the hazardous conditions that caused it. Our attorneys understand chain of custody requirements, ensuring medical records, incident reports, and employment documents maintain their legal integrity throughout your case. If your claim is denied on technicalities, we’ll help compile clear medical documentation and properly filed forms to meet federal requirements and support your eligibility.

We’ll identify surveillance footage, safety logs, and communication records before contractors delete or misplace them. This systematic evidence preservation protects your right to compensation when insurance carriers challenge your claim months or years after your injury occurred.

Because disputes often hinge on medical and causation issues, promptly gathering records and expert opinions strengthens your case under the Defense Base Act.

Represent You in Hearings and Appeals

If an insurance carrier denies your claim or offers inadequate compensation, you’ll face formal hearings before an administrative law judge who decides whether you receive benefits.

Our attorneys prepare thorough hearing strategy by organizing medical evidence, securing expert testimony, and cross-examining insurance witnesses who minimize your injuries. We’ll present your case persuasively, highlighting how your condition affects your ability to work and earn a living.

If the initial decision isn’t favorable, we’ll pursue administrative appeals through the Benefits Review Board and federal court system, protecting your rights at every level until you receive fair compensation.

Maximize Your Compensation

Defense Base Act claims typically provide far more compensation than injured contractors initially realize, and our New Hampshire attorneys make sure you don’t leave money on the table by accepting the insurance carrier’s first offer.

We develop claim strategies based on your specific injury, employment circumstances, and future needs. Our approach accounts for medical treatment costs, wage replacement, vocational rehabilitation, and permanent disability ratings.

We appreciate settlement timelines and when to negotiate versus litigate. According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, insurance companies deny approximately 30% of initial Defense Base Act claims (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dlhwc/statistics), and they rely on contractors accepting lowball offers that may be 40-60% below full entitlement.

We counter their tactics with thorough documentation, expert medical evidence, and aggressive advocacy that reflects your claim’s true value.

U.S. Defense Contractors in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's defense industry employs approximately 12,000 contractors who support U.S. military operations around the world, from advanced electronics and communications systems to firearms manufacturing and IT infrastructure.

If you've worked for a New Hampshire-based defense contractor and suffered an injury, illness, or psychological condition while deployed overseas, you're likely covered under the Defense Base Act regardless of where your injury occurred.

Understanding which companies operate in New Hampshire and the types of work they perform abroad helps establish your connection to DBA coverage and strengthens your claim for benefits.

List of Major Defense Contractors in New Hampshire

From electronics powerhouses to precision firearms makers, New Hampshire's contractor network supports the missions that send you overseas and shapes the Defense Base Act claims that follow an injury. You may work for defense suppliers through contractor partnerships that link local plants to global deployments. These major employers drive the gear you carry and the systems you maintain:

BAE Systems
Locations: Nashua (Hillsborough County), Hudson (Hillsborough County)
Founded: 1999 (formed through merger; U.S. operations date to earlier predecessors)
Website: https://www.baesystems.com

BAE Systems operates major facilities in New Hampshire focused on electronic warfare systems, avionics, and advanced electronics for military aircraft and ground vehicles.

The Nashua and Hudson sites develop and manufacture equipment that protects deployed personnel from radar threats and enables mission-critical communications in combat zones.

Workers at these facilities often deploy overseas to install, maintain, and repair systems on aircraft and vehicles in active theaters.

These assignments place employees in harm's way and make them eligible for Defense Base Act coverage when injuries occur during deployment.

L3Harris Technologies
Locations: Londonderry (Rockingham County)
Founded: 2019 (merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation)
Website: https://www.l3harris.com

L3Harris produces secure communications equipment and advanced sensor systems at its Londonderry facility.

The site manufactures tactical radios, night vision systems, and electronic components used by forces deployed worldwide.

Technicians and engineers from this location regularly travel to overseas bases and forward operating positions to support installation and field maintenance.

These deployments expose workers to the same risks as military personnel and trigger Defense Base Act protections.

Sig Sauer
Locations: Newington (Rockingham County)
Founded: 1985 (U.S. operations; parent company founded 1853)
Website: https://www.sigsauer.com

Sig Sauer manufactures military pistols, rifles, and ammunition adopted by U.S. armed forces and allied nations.

The Newington facility produces the M17 and M18 service pistols now standard across the Department of Defense, along with rifles and optics used in combat operations.

Company armorers and technical specialists deploy to training sites and combat zones to provide weapon maintenance, repair services, and operator training.

These overseas assignments place Sig Sauer employees under Defense Base Act coverage when work-related injuries occur.

Raytheon Technologies (RTX)
Locations: Portsmouth (Rockingham County)
Founded: 2020 (merger of Raytheon Company and United Technologies; predecessor operations date to 1922)
Website: https://www.rtx.com

RTX operates facilities in Portsmouth producing missile systems, radar equipment, and advanced electronics for naval and air defense platforms.

The site supports Tomahawk cruise missiles, naval radar systems, and electronic warfare components deployed on ships and aircraft worldwide.

Engineers and technicians from Portsmouth regularly deploy to naval vessels, overseas bases, and allied nations to install systems, conduct repairs, and train military personnel.

These assignments qualify for Defense Base Act protection, covering injuries sustained during overseas work supporting defense operations.

Spartronics
Locations: Plaistow (Rockingham County)
Founded: 1973
Website: https://www.spartronics.com

Spartronics manufactures complex electronic and mechanical assemblies for defense applications, including components used in communications systems, guidance equipment, and military vehicles.

The Plaistow facility supports contracts requiring precision assembly work for equipment deployed in combat zones.

Types of Injuries Covered by DBA Insurance

DBA insurance provides coverage for combat and war zone injuries including those from blasts, gunfire, or base attacks.

The insurance also recognizes occupational diseases and illnesses, as well as psychological trauma and PTSD, which are mental health injuries caused by exposure to violence, fear, or loss.

Coverage extends to chronic conditions from deployment like repetitive stress injuries, back and joint problems, hearing loss, and respiratory issues from burn pits or dust exposure.

Combat and War Zone Injuries

Working in conflict zones and war-torn regions presents obvious dangers, and Defense Base Act insurance covers injuries from hostile actions including rocket attacks, IED explosions, or crossfire incidents.

Coverage extends beyond visible wounds to include psychological trauma documented through combat psychology assessments and injuries requiring battlefield forensics investigation.

Even if you weren't directly involved in combat operations, working in war zones creates compensable risks. Hearing loss from explosions, traumatic brain injuries from blast waves, and PTSD from sustained exposure to combat environments all qualify for DBA benefits.

Occupational Diseases and Illnesses

Occupational diseases develop gradually through workplace exposure rather than sudden accidents, and Defense Base Act coverage treats these conditions as seriously as traumatic injuries.

Your respiratory problems from burn pit smoke, hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure, or infectious diseases contracted overseas qualify for DBA benefits. Occupational exposures to toxic chemicals, asbestos, and hazardous materials often manifest months or years after deployment. Workplace pathogens in unsanitary conditions can cause serious illnesses that warrant compensation.

Insurance carriers frequently dispute these claims by arguing your condition isn't work-related. We'll document your occupational exposures and prove your illness resulted from overseas deployment conditions.

Psychological Trauma and PTSD

Psychological injuries from overseas deployment deserve the same recognition and compensation as physical wounds, yet insurance carriers routinely undervalue or outright deny mental health claims.

You may struggle with PTSD after witnessing combat operations, experiencing hostile fire, or surviving attacks on your base. Moral injury occurs when you witness acts that violate your core values, creating deep psychological conflict. Secondary trauma develops from repeated exposure to others' suffering and traumatic experiences.

Depression, anxiety disorders, and sleep disturbances frequently accompany deployment-related psychological conditions. Insurance companies often claim these conditions aren't work-related or lack sufficient medical documentation, making experienced legal representation essential.

Chronic Conditions From Deployment

Extended exposure to hazardous environments creates medical conditions that develop gradually over months or years of deployment, often going unrecognized until symptoms become severe.

Deployment fatigue affects contractors who work extended rotations without adequate recovery time, weakening immune systems and contributing to cardiovascular problems. Respiratory conditions from burn pit exposure, hearing loss from sustained noise levels, and chronic pain from repetitive physical demands all qualify for DBA coverage.

You don't need to prove your condition appeared suddenly. Documentation showing progressive symptom development during deployment establishes the work connection necessary for compensation, even when diagnosis occurs after returning to New Hampshire.

Medical Facilities and Treatment for New Hampshire DBA Claimants

When you return to New Hampshire after an overseas contractor injury, accessing quality medical care is critical for both your physical recovery and the success of your DBA claim. New Hampshire offers trauma centers and specialized facilities experienced in treating complex injuries from overseas environments, including traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and chemical exposure conditions.

Understanding your medical rights under the DBA is essential. The insurance carrier must authorize and pay for all reasonably necessary treatment related to your work injury. Proper medical documentation not only ensures you receive appropriate care but also strengthens your claim by establishing the extent and nature of your injuries, making thorough medical evaluation and ongoing treatment vital components of the DBA claims process.

Trauma Centers and Medical Facilities in New Hampshire

Even after an overseas injury, you can start strong by getting the right care in New Hampshire and building the medical record your Defense Base Act claim needs.

You'll find coordinated trauma options that balance speed, expertise, and rural access. If distance is a barrier, helicopter transport means faster transfers to top centers.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
1 Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756
(603) 650-5000

Located in the Upper Valley region of western New Hampshire, this facility serves as the state's only Level I trauma center, providing the highest level of trauma care with comprehensive surgical and intensive care capabilities.

Elliot Hospital
1 Elliot Way
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 669-5300

Situated in New Hampshire's largest city in the southern part of the state, this Level II trauma center maintains 24/7 surgical teams and ICU support for critical injuries.

Portsmouth Regional Hospital
333 Borthwick Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-5110

Located on the New Hampshire Seacoast, this Level II trauma center features helipad facilities for rapid patient transfers and serves the coastal communities.

Parkland Medical Center
1 Parkland Drive
Derry, NH 03038
(603) 432-1500

Positioned in southern New Hampshire between Manchester and the Massachusetts border, this Level III facility provides stabilization and transfer capability for trauma patients.

Concord Hospital
250 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 225-2711

Located in the state capital in central New Hampshire, this facility offers robust Level II trauma services to the Merrimack Valley region.

Important Medical Rights Under the DBA

Understanding your medical rights protects your health and strengthens your claim from the moment you file. The DBA guarantees specific protections that contractors often don't realize they possess.

Your core medical rights include:

• Choice of physician: You select your treating doctors, not the insurance carrier
• Reasonable and necessary treatment: All care related to your injury must receive coverage
• No payment required: Providers bill the carrier directly for authorized care
• Travel expense reimbursement: You'll receive compensation for medical appointments, including mileage and parking

If carriers delay treatment authorization beyond reasonable timeframes, you can challenge these tactics through formal procedures.

DBA Benefits Available to New Hampshire Residents

If you've suffered an injury or illness while working overseas for a U.S. government contractor, you're entitled to substantial benefits under the Defense Base Act.

These benefits cover everything from thorough medical treatment to ongoing disability payments that replace your lost wages.

Understanding what compensation you can receive helps you recognize whether the insurance company is offering you full and fair benefits or trying to minimize your claim.

Medical Care and Treatment

When you're injured working overseas for a U.S. contractor, the Defense Base Act requires your employer's insurance carrier to cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury or illness. This includes hospital care, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and specialist consultations.

You're entitled to choose your treating physician, though insurance carriers often request second opinions. Telehealth access has expanded treatment options for contractors in remote locations or those who've returned to New Hampshire.

Maintaining detailed treatment documentation strengthens your claim and guarantees continuity of care. Insurance carriers can't deny medically necessary treatment recommended by your authorized physician.

Disability Compensation Payments

The Defense Base Act provides disability compensation to replace lost wages when your overseas work injury or illness prevents you from earning your pre-injury income.

Your benefit amount depends on your average weekly wage before injury and your disability rating. Insurance carriers often attempt wage offsets by claiming you're capable of earning income elsewhere, which can reduce your payments.

Understanding tax implications is essential since DBA benefits are generally tax-free under 26 U.S.C. § 104(a)(1), unlike regular wages.

If your carrier terminates or reduces benefits, you can challenge that decision through formal proceedings under 33 U.S.C. § 919.

Your compensation continues until you reach maximum medical improvement.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Returning to meaningful employment after a serious overseas work injury requires more than medical treatment and disability checks. The Defense Base Act includes vocational rehabilitation services designed to help you reenter the workforce when you can't return to your previous position.

Your insurer must provide job placement assistance, phased employment opportunities that accommodate your limitations, and ergonomic assessments to identify suitable work environments. These services often include workplace adaptations like modified equipment or adjusted duties.

You're entitled to these benefits when medical evidence shows you need retraining or accommodations to work again.

Death Benefits for Families

Families of U.S. government contract workers who die from work-related injuries or illnesses while serving overseas receive DBA death benefits that provide critical financial support during an extremely difficult period.

The survivor pension pays 66.67% of the deceased worker's average weekly wage to eligible dependents, including spouses and children.

Families also receive funeral expense reimbursement up to $3,000 to cover burial costs.

These benefits continue until dependent children turn 18 years old, or until age 23 for children enrolled full-time in accredited educational programs.

Insurance carriers routinely undervalue death claims or challenge eligibility determinations, making experienced legal representation essential for securing the full compensation families are entitled to receive under the Defense Base Act.

Statute of Limitations for DBA Claims

When you're injured while working overseas on a defense contract, understanding the strict time limits for filing your claim can mean the difference between receiving benefits and losing your right to compensation entirely.

You'll face specific deadlines that vary depending on your injury type:

• Traumatic injuries require filing within one year from the accident date
• Occupational diseases allow two years from when you discover the condition is work-related
• Notice requirements mandate reporting injuries to your employer within 30 days in writing
• Equitable tolling and the discovery rule may extend deadlines if circumstances prevented timely filing

Missing these deadlines typically results in permanent claim denial.

Contact Our New Hampshire Defense Base Act Law Firm Today for Help

If you or a loved one suffered an injury, illness, or psychological condition while working overseas on a U.S. military base or government contract, Grossman Attorneys at Law is here to help.

Whether you need to file a new Defense Base Act claim, appeal a denial, challenge unreasonable delays, or fight a low settlement offer, our experienced legal team will advocate for the full compensation you deserve.

We've successfully represented more than 300 contractors injured in conflict zones and on military installations worldwide, and our multilingual staff speaks English, Spanish, Creole, French, Russian, and Ukrainian.

Contact our New Hampshire Defense Base Act law firm today to speak with an experienced DBA attorney about your case.