What is the War Hazards Compensation Act?
The War Hazards Compensation Act (WHCA) supplements the Defense Base Act (DBA) by providing a form of reinsurance for contractor injuries and deaths which are directly related to military conflict. If an employee’s injury or death is caused by a war hazard, the workers’ compensation benefits are provided not by the insurer or employer but by the federal government. Under the provisions of the WHCA, an injury or death is considered to have been caused by a war hazard if it occurred during: • A war in which the United States is engaged • An armed conflict in which the United States is engaged, whether or not war has been formally declared • A war or armed conflict between military forces of any origin in a country in which a covered employee is working and the injury or death was caused by: • The discharge of any weapon by a hostile force or in combating an attack • The action of a hostile force or person, including an insurrection or rebellion against the United States • The discharge o
