Strongpoint Law Firm, LLC - Defense Base Act Lawyers

05/03/2026

Strongpoint Law Firm is proud to congratulate Jon Robinson and Beth Bernstein on their selection to Super Lawyers, and Brent Bartholomew on his selection to Rising Stars.

We are grateful for this recognition because it reflects the work our whole team does every day for injured workers and their families. At Strongpoint Law, we have worked hard to build a focused, prepared, and dedicated team to represent workers injured in Defense Base Act claims.

These cases are often complex, and our clients are often facing serious injuries, denied benefits, delayed medical care, and uncertainty about the future. We are proud to stand with them and fight for the benefits they are owed.

Congratulations to Jon, Beth, and Brent — and thank you to our clients for trusting us with this important work.

04/29/2026

Some Defense Base Act insurance carriers argue that a claimant injured in Afghanistan is no longer disabled because his job is not available after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. Not so. In Wollum v. ARMA Aviation and Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, the Benefits Review Board rejected that argument outright.

Defense Base Act disability compensation does not end based on geopolitical factors like the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

04/23/2026

https://strongpointlaw.com/6059/new-stressor-new-injury-new-claim-your-dba-rights/

Defense Base Act benefits are not limited to completely healthy people who suffer an injury. The fact is that employers take employees as they find them. Most of us have preexisting conditions that may suffer an aggravation at work. That's okay. Defense Base Act benefits are owed for brand new injuries and aggravation injuries. If the employment played a contributor role in the employee's injury, then it is covered. In this linked post, Attorney Brent Bartholomew explains more.

Employees who return to work on overseas military bases after an injury may file a new Defense Base Act claim if injured again.

03/24/2026

The Defense Base Act covers psychological injuries and disabilities. Here is a quick explanation of psychological DBA claims, which can include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you are a contractor suffering from psychological distress due to Iranian attacks, contact Strongpoint Law Firm to see if help is available. This is what we do.

Defense Base Act benefits are available for psychological injuries and disabilities sustained in the Iran Conflict.

03/11/2026

The Second Circuit recently held that medical ma*****na is not reimbursable under Section 7 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation and Defense Base Act. Any change to the law must be made by Congress. To quote the Second Circuit:

"It may very well be the case that the federal government will at some point—perhaps even in the near future—remove ma*****na from Schedule I of the CSA. But that is a decision for the political branches of the federal government, not for the judiciary. This Court is obliged to apply the law as it currently stands."

On March 5, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied Luis Peña Garcia’s petition for review and held that an employer and carrier cannot be required to reimburse a claimant for doctor-recommended cannabis-infused edibles as “reasonable and necessary” medical treatment und...

03/01/2026

Read what V2X's Kuwait employees have to say about being treated as an expendable workforce.

The Defense Base Act is federal workers' compensation. It is a "no fault" system that covers injuries and disabilities that occur as a result of overseas employment. The emotional strain and anxiety mentioned by the V2X employees in this article are the types of injuries covered by the DBA--just like physical injuries, hearing loss, and occupational diseases.

Employees say they have heard little from major defense contractor V2X Inc about safety and evacuation protocols

02/28/2026

A long overdue welcome on Strongpoint Law's page to Beth Bernstein. We are thrilled that Beth chose to join us. Her extensive knowledge of the Defense Base Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act will help injured defense contractors worldwide. Learn more about Beth on Strongpoint Law's website.

https://strongpointlaw.com/about-strongpoint-law-firm/beth-s-bernstein/

02/08/2026

What happens when a Defense Base Act insurance carrier answers discovery requests as if it was the employer? The court may wind up with a record filled with incorrect information.

In DBA claims, carrier-assigned attorneys answer discovery without employer involvement, making an employer deposition necessary.

02/08/2026

If a "war-risk hazard" caused the employee's injury, then the insurance carrier may apply for War Hazards Compensation Act reimbursement for all Defense Base Act benefits paid to the employee. The carrier may also receive reimbursement for expenses paid. The U.S. government paid over half a billion dollars in DBA carriers in 2023 and nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in 2024. Is the government paying too much? Should it scrutinize some of the expenses carriers want reimbursed?

If the government wants to save millions in War Hazards reimbursements and simultaneously help injured workers it should adopt these fixes.

05/20/2023

https://strongpointlaw.com/5867/the-importance-of-psychological-test-data-disclosure/

Military contractors may claim Defense Base Act benefits for psychological injuries. Often, psychological injury claims result in protracted litigation. Insurance carriers hire expert witnesses to examine the injured worker. During that examination, the defense expert administers psychological tests. The test data generated during the examination may become the focus of a disclosure dispute. This post addresses the importance of test data disclosure and how judges have addressed disclosure issues.

Must mental health experts in Defense Base Act claims produce psychological test data generated during a forensic evaluation?