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. 

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• 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. 

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE INJURED AT WORK

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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, 90 7th Street, Suite 15100, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA 

5. 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 at http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/dlhwc/lstable.htm. 

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.