FAQ: Non Military Contract Deaths at Middle East Defense Bases
Can I afford a lawsuit?
What kinds of problems do non military contractors suffer when they return home?
Is there a statute of limitations to file wrongful death lawsuits for non military contractor workers on defense bases in Afghanistan and Iraq?
Why does the U.S. government hire so many PMCs (private military contractor) corporations to do the work of war?
What's the lure of non military contracting at Middle East defense bases?
What companies are responsible for non military deaths on defense bases?
What jobs did non military contractors have when they died at Iraq & Afghanistan defense bases?
The answer is a resounding yes.
If you are injured while working as a civilian for a company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense in Iraq, Kuwait or anywhere overseas, you may be entitled to receive Federal workers' compensation benefits under the Defense Base Act. The U.S. Congress allows you to have free legal representation. No legal fees come from a worker's weekly benefits or settlement. They are awarded to the attorney by the U.S. Department of Labor based on his reasonable time spent on your case.
Injured non-military workers are entitled to weekly compensation while the doctor has them off of work, all of the reasonable and necessary medical care including the right to a doctor of your choice, and compensation for any permanent disability.
If your loved one has died as a result of being a non military contract worker in an active war zone and whose death is attributable to the work environment, the family is entitled to compensation benefits.
Civilian contractors on defense bases are dying in record high numbers. Multi-billion-dollar corporations have done a terrible job of keeping their non-military personnel out of harm's way. Don't let your loved one's death be a statistic.
Do it now! Find out what your legal rights are. Don't let the statute of limitations lapse. Don't miss the opportunity to fight back for justice and compensation.
What kinds of problems do non military contractors suffer when they return home?
The fortunate non military workers who toiled on defense bases in Iraq and Afghanistan and who do return home suffer the same kinds of post traumatic combat-related mental health problems that afflict U.S. soldiers. Unfortunately these contractors fly under the radar when it comes to being adequately treated. Contract workers who are wounded or disabled in the war zones are treated in military hospitals, but once home, they are not eligible for care in the military or VA system.
Is there a statute of limitations to file a wrongful death lawsuit for non military contractor workers deaths on defense bases in Afghanistan and Iraq?
Yes. The statute of limitations depends on the circumstance of each case, where the claim is brought and against whom the claim is brought. Notice requirements can be as short as a few months. Thus, don't hesitate in filing a lawsuit as family members in their grief sometimes wait too long and then lose the opportunity to do so.
Do You Have a Defense Base Act Lawsuit? »
Why does the U.S. government hire so many PMCs (private military contractor) corporations to do the work of war? There are many reasons:
- Without a formal draft system, the U.S. doesn't have enough manpower to adequately do everything that needs doing especially with two Middle East conflicts happening at the same time.
- Private companies are not directly accountable to a legislative body and may cost more than providing the same functions within the military.
- Private military firms have contributed millions of dollars in congressional and presidential campaigns.
- By having a vast force of PMCs, the number of military casualties makes the death toll of the Wars seem lower. Nobody is keeping an exact count of non military deaths on defense bases but a respected estimate is for every four soldiers killed, a non-military contractor dies.
What's the lure of non military contracting at Middle East defense bases?
Many civilian contractors are drawn by a paycheck, patriotism, or sense of adventure. What they find are harsh physical conditions, 12-hour workdays, the lack of protective armor on vehicles, periodic shelling of bases, and supervisors who don't have any sympathy. This being a macho-driven atmosphere - complaining is not an option.
What companies are responsible for non military deaths on defense bases?
This list is not comprehensive: American Service Center, Blackwater Security Services, CLI USA, Cochise Consultancy Inc., CTU Consulting, Custer Battle, DynCorp International, Edinburgh Risk Inc., Environmental Chemical Corp., EOD Tech, General Electric, Granite Services Inc., Halliburton, IAP Worldwide Services, KBR, Lockheed Martin, May Day Supply, National Response Corp., Northrop Grumman, Proactive Communications, Raytheon, Readiness Management, Special Operations Consultancy Security Management Group, Steele Foundation, Titan National Security Services, Ultra Services, United Defense Industries
What jobs did non military contractors have when they died on Iraq & Afghanistan defense bases?
This list is not comprehensive: medic, vehicle maintenance tech, electric power specialist, power industry worker, construction worker/foreman/technician/consultant, fireman, truck driver, translator, PMC (private military contractor-former soldier/police officer), bomb disposal expert, engineer, project manager, and carpenter foreman.
PMCs suffered the most deaths along with truck drivers and translators not far behind.
Find out what your legal rights are. Get answers. Get help. Get justice.
