--- title: Longshore Insider | Defense Base Act (DBA) description: Defense Base Act (DBA) | Read about all things USL&H, including the latest trends in safety, claims handling, recent Longshore court cases, and more. --- - [Report a Claim](https://www.amequity.com/report-a-claim) - [Member Login](https://www.amequity.com/log-in) [![Amequity](https://blog.amequity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/AEU-full-logo-color.png?width=252&height=81&name=AEU-full-logo-color.png "Amequity")](https://www.amequity.com/) - [Coverage](https://www.amequity.com/coverage) - Resources - [Safety Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/safety-resources) - [Claims Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/claims-resources) - [Medical Management Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/medical-management-resources) - [Leadership Training](https://www.amequity.com/resources/leadership-training) - [Advisory Services](https://www.amequity.com/resources/advisory-services) - [Events](https://www.amequity.com/events) - [Blog & Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/) - [Join Our Mailing List](https://www.amequity.com/join-our-mailing-list) - Who We Are - [About AEU](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/about-aeu) - [Newsroom](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/newsroom) - [Leadership](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/leadership) - [Careers](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/careers) - [Contact](https://www.amequity.com/contact) Longshore Insider All other pages ![Longshore Insider Blog logo](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/Amequity_Feb2022/images/longshore-insider---general-no-tagline---2c-red.png) Read about all things USL&H, including the latest trends in safety, claims handling, recent Longshore court cases, and more.   ### Topics - [AEU LEAD (63)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/aeu-lead) - [AEU LEAD Podcast (58)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/aeu-lead-podcast) - [Aggravation Rule (8)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/aggravation-rule) - [Aging Workforce (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/aging-workforce) - [Amendments (12)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/amendments) - [Average Weekly Wage (14)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/average-weekly-wage) - [Back Injury Prevention (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/back-injury-prevention) - [Benefits Review Board (21)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/benefits-review-board) - [Borrowed Employee (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/borrowed-employee) - [Bridges (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/bridges) - [Burden of Proof (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/burden-of-proof) - [Change Management (8)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/change-management) - [Claims (56)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/claims) - [Clerical Exclusion (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/clerical-exclusion) - [Coaching (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/coaching) - [Communication (36)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/communication) - [Compensation (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/compensation) - [Compliance (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/compliance) - [Concurrent Coverage (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/concurrent-coverage) - [Confined Space (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/confined-space) - [Construction Workers (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/construction-workers) - [Container Terminals (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/container-terminals) - [Court Cases (41)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/court-cases) - [Coverage (33)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/coverage) - [COVID-19 (17)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/covid-19) - [Crewmember (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/crewmember) - [Cruise Ships (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/cruise-ships) - [Culture (11)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/culture) - [Cyber Security (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/cyber-security) - [Defense Base Act (DBA) (24)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/defense-base-act-dba) - [Department of Labor (DOL) (8)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/department-of-labor-dol) - [Disability (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/disability) - [Discrimination (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/discrimination) - [Diving (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/diving) - [Electrical (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/electrical) - [Emergency Planning & Response (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/emergency-planning-response) - [Employee Engagement (12)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/employee-engagement) - [Employees (20)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/employees) - [Employer (15)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/employer) - [Ergonomics (10)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/ergonomics) - [Exclusions (11)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/exclusions) - [Exemption (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/exemption) - [Extension Cords (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/extension-cords) - [Eye Protection (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/eye-protection) - [Falls (7)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/falls) - [Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/federal-employees-compensation-act-feca) - [Federal Employers Liability Act (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/federal-employers-liability-act) - [Fees (10)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/fees) - [Fines (11)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/fines) - [Fires (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/fires) - [Foreign Waters (7)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/foreign-waters) - [Forklifts (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/forklifts) - [Fraud (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/fraud) - [Generational Differences (11)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/generational-differences) - [Hazards (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/hazards) - [Hearing Loss (15)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/hearing-loss) - [Hearing Protection (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/hearing-protection) - [Heat Safety (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/heat-safety) - [High Seas (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/high-seas) - [Hurricane Preparedness (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/hurricane-preparedness) - [Independent Contractors (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/independent-contractors) - [Industrial Hygiene (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/industrial-hygiene) - [Industry Trends (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/industry-trends) - [Informal Conferences (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/informal-conferences) - [Intoxication (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/intoxication) - [Jones Act (17)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/jones-act) - [Jurisdiction (11)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/jurisdiction) - [Landmark Cases (36)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/landmark-cases) - [Last Employer Rule (10)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/last-employer-rule) - [Leadership (52)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/leadership) - [Leadership Development (50)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/leadership-development) - [Lightning Safety (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/lightning-safety) - [Litigation (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/litigation) - [Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act/LHWC (128)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/longshore-harbor-workers-compensation-act-lhwc) - [Longshore Insider Podcast (13)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/longshore-insider-podcast) - [LS-202 (8)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/ls-202) - [Management (24)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/management) - [Marine Cargo Handling (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/marine-cargo-handling) - [Marine Chemist (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/marine-chemist) - [Mediation (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/mediation) - [Medical Management (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/medical-management) - [Mental Health (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/mental-health) - [Mentoring (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/mentoring) - [Motor Vehicles (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/motor-vehicles) - [Multi-Employer Worksites (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/multi-employer-worksites) - [Navigable Waters (13)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/navigable-waters) - [Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act (NFIA) (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/nonappropriated-fund-instrumentalities-act-nfia) - [Occupational Health (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/occupational-health) - [Office of Administrative Law Judges (17)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/office-of-administrative-law-judges) - [Offshore Wind (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/offshore-wind) - [Online Training (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/online-training) - [OSHA (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/osha) - [Out of Town Counsel (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/out-of-town-counsel) - [Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (16)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/outer-continental-shelf-lands-act-ocsla) - [Parking Lots (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/parking-lots) - [Pedestrians (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/pedestrians) - [Penalties (14)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/penalties) - [Per diem (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/per-diem) - [Performance Management (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/performance-management) - [Physicians (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/physicians) - [Podcast (65)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/podcast) - [Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/powered-industrial-truck-pit) - [PPE (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/ppe) - [Presentation Skills (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/presentation-skills) - [Presumptions (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/presumptions) - [Punitive Damages (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/punitive-damages) - [Railroad Workers (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/railroad-workers) - [Recreational Operations (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/recreational-operations) - [Retirement (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/retirement) - [Return to Work (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/return-to-work) - [Safety (56)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/safety) - [Safety Culture (28)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/safety-culture) - [Safety Focus Campaign (8)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/safety-focus-campaign) - [Scheduled Awards (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/scheduled-awards) - [Scissor Lifts (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/scissor-lifts) - [Self-insured (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/self-insured) - [Shipyard (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/shipyard) - [Shipyard Competent Person (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/shipyard-competent-person) - [Situational Awareness (6)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/situational-awareness) - [Situs (45)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/situs) - [Slips (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/slips) - [Special Fund Assessment (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/special-fund-assessment) - [State Act (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/state-act) - [State Guarantee Fund (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/state-guarantee-fund) - [Status (49)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/status) - [Strains (9)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/strains) - [Strategic Planning (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/strategic-planning) - [Stress (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/stress) - [Struck-by (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/struck-by) - [Subrogation (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/subrogation) - [Suitable Alternate Employment (1)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/suitable-alternate-employment) - [Supervisor Skills (89)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/supervisor-skills) - [Teamwork (10)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/teamwork) - [Technology (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/technology) - [Third-Party Settlements (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/third-party-settlements) - [Time Management (3)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/time-management) - [U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) (7)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/u-s-department-of-labor-dol) - [Uncertainty Zone (7)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/uncertainty-zone) - [Vehicle Safety (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/vehicle-safety) - [Vessel (12)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/vessel) - [War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA) (4)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/war-hazards-compensation-act-whca) - [Wellness Programs (2)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/wellness-programs) - [Zone of Uncertainty (5)](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/zone-of-uncertainty) [See All Topics](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article) Posts about # Defense Base Act (DBA) ## [7/18/2022 Unique Cases Involving the Defense Base Act We last considered the Defense Base Act (DBA) in the Longshore Insider when we discussed two claims that 1) involved an employee who was injured while showering in his private apartment during...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/unique-cases-involving-the-defense-base-act) ## [12/13/2021 Timeliness of Filing Defense Base Act Claims (Part Two) This article continues the discussion started in our recent blog about Benefits Review Board (BRB) decisions dealing with claims filed years after the alleged injury or injurious exposure. (You may...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/timeliness-of-filing-defense-base-act-claims-part-two) ## [11/15/2021 Timeliness of Filing Defense Base Act Claims Recent decisions by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Benefits Review Board (BRB) illustrate the issues that arise when a claim is filed years after the alleged injury. Statutory Provisions ...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/timeliness-of-filing-defense-base-act-claims) ## [5/17/2021 When Does the Zone of Special Danger Apply in Defense Base Act Claims? The Defense Base Act (DBA) (42 U.S.C. 1651) is a workers’ compensation law that extends the benefits of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (Longshore Act) to employees outside of the...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/when-does-the-zone-of-special-danger-apply-in-defense-base-act-claims) ## [2/15/2021 How Do Defense Base Act Waivers Work? On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new waiver covering the application of the Defense Base Act (DBA) in Guam. The DBA had previously been waived in its entirety with regard...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/how-do-defense-base-act-waivers-work) ## [12/14/2020 What is the Defense Base Act? The Defense Base Act (DBA) (42 U.S.C. 1651) is a workers’ compensation law that extends the benefits of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (Longshore Act) to employees outside of the...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/what-is-the-defense-base-act) ## [2/10/2020 Interesting Longshore Cases From 2019 – Part Two This post is a continuation of our review of interesting cases decided during 2019 (see Part One here). Michael T. Long v. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC, and Ace American Insurance Company, BRB No....](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/interesting-longshore-cases-from-2019-part-two) ## [12/18/2017 Longshore Act Jurisprudence - Calendar Year 2017, Part I This is Part One of a brief review of interesting (to me) cases decided during calendar year 2017 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Benefits Review Board and the federal circuit courts of appeal. ...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/review-of-longshore-act-jurisprudence-for-2017) ## [11/30/2017 Amendments to the Act, Part III If the Act is to be opened for Amendment, there are other key issues currently the subject of conflict in the jurisprudence that can be addressed. The definition of “adjoining” in section 3(a) can...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/amendments-to-the-act-part-3) ## [12/12/2016 Calendar Year 2016, Part I Here is the first part of a list of some of the interesting (to me) cases from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Benefits Review Board (BRB) and the federal Circuit Courts of Appeal during calendar...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/calendar-year-2016-part-1) ## [11/9/2016 Longshore Act Extensions This is the last (for now) of a group of posts dealing with recurring questions regarding the Longshore Act. Following is a discussion of three issues, one for each of the Act’s three extensions. ...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/longshore-act-extensions) ## [9/28/2016 Longshore Act Questions - Coverage There’s one thing (at least) that you can say about the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. It’s never dull. Questions come up everyday as brokers and underwriters, claims specialists...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/longshore-act-questions-coverage) ## [5/23/2016 Joint and Several Liability, Hearing Loss, and Landmark Cases Number 1. Joint and Several LiabilityI occasionally see references to the nature of ALMA member’s liability as “Joint and Several”. This is a serious misstatement.In fact, ALMA members are NOT, and...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/random-notes) ## [5/10/2016 Future Landmark Cases - Zone of Special Danger I’m adding to my list of landmark Longshore Act Supreme Court decisions with a case that arose under the Defense Base Act (42 U.S.C. 1651, et seq.) (DBA). The case is O’Leary v. Brown-Pacific-Maxon,...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/future-landmark-cases-zone-of-special-danger) ## [12/4/2015 2015, Part II - Benefits Review Board As I noted last time, calendar year 2015 was a routine year for Longshore Act litigation. There were no cases decided at the U.S. Supreme Court and no new conflicts were created among the federal...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/2015-part-2-benefits-review-board) ## [7/14/2015 Defense Base Waivers I’ve discussed the Defense Base Act (DBA) (42 U.S.C. 1651) on several previous occasions so I’ll just briefly review it here and then discuss one particular aspect. The DBA is a workers’...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/defense-base-waivers) ## [6/2/2015 High Seas, Foreign Waters Yogi Berra might have said this. “Some questions always come up, because they don’t come up that often.” You know. Sort of like, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded”. Questions continue...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/high-seas-foreign-waters) ## [3/13/2014 The Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act We’ve discussed the Defense Base Act on several occasions, as well as the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. These are two well known extensions of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/the-nonappropriated-fund-instrumentalities-act) ## [7/23/2013 Circuit Conflicts I’ve occasionally referred to the fact that you do not always get the same answer to the same question from one federal circuit court of appeals to another with regard to certain issues arising...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/circuit-conflicts) ## [11/29/2012 Defense Base Act I’d like to remind everyone about the Defense Base Act (DBA). We last looked at it here in February, 2010, so it’s time for another review. First, an update on claims reported under the DBA:...](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/defense-base-act) - [1](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article) - [2](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/defense-base-act-dba/page/2) - [»](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/defense-base-act-dba/page/2) Subscribe to our newsletter [Get started](https://www.amequity.com/join-our-mailing-list) ALMA Member Resources [Report a Claim](https://www.amequity.com/report-a-claim) [Review Your Claims Online](https://live.origamirisk.com/Origami/Account/Login?account=AEU&returnUrl=/Origami) [MEMBER WEBSITE](https://www.amequity.com/log-in) ![Amequity](https://blog.amequity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/AEU-logo-white.png?width=129&name=AEU-logo-white.png "Amequity") - [![linkedin-icon](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/linkedin-icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-equity-underwriters/) - [![facebook-icon](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/facebook-icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEquityUnderwriters/) - [About AEU](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are) - [Coverage](https://www.amequity.com/coverage) - [Blog & Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.amequity.com/contact) © 2025 The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.  All rights reserved.  /   [**Terms & Conditions**](https://www.amequity.com/terms-conditions)  /   [**Privacy**](https://www.amequity.com/privacy-policy)