Defense Base Act: U.S. Contractor Injuries / PTSD
** Defense Base Act News Update **
The Defense Base Act of 1941 was enacted with the purpose of providing workers’ compensation benefits to United States civilian contract workers (or their dependents) in the unfortunate event of injury, disability, or death while serving our military or government outside the United States. By law, almost every civilian contract employee in Iraq and Afghanistan must be covered under Defense Base Act insurance.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a life-changing anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to an event or threat of extreme violence. A person who develops PTSD may have been the victim, known the victim, or simply witnessed the traumatic event. Symptoms usually materialize within 3 months of the event, but can develop years later. PTSD symptoms can persist for varying lengths of time, sometimes becoming chronic.
There are differing reports regarding the prevalence of PTSD in soldiers returning home. Estimates have ranged from 1 in 8 veterans to nearly 1 in 2 veterans. However, soldiers are not the only persons in Iraq and Afghanistan exposed to the constant threat of violence and danger. Civilian contractors also deal with the daily threats of working in a war zone, exposed to many of the same dangers that face the military, sometimes at an even higher risk of danger.
The Defense Base Act was designed to provide compensation for injuries sustained by U.S. civilian contractors on foreign soil. However, there are increasing numbers of reports of insurance companies unjustifiably denying benefits or paying insignificant amounts for valid Defense Base Act claims. These claims not only consist of PTSD and other stress-induced mental conditions, but also consist of physical injury including disability, dismemberment, and even death.
If you or a loved one has worked as a civilian contractor for the United States government in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other occupied territory and suffers from PTSD or other work-related injuries, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker wants to help. We have over 30 years experience in assuring that our clients are treated fairly by insurance companies. Fill out a form or give us a call at (800) 333-0000 for a free, no obligation consultation with complete confidentiality. Our experienced team of attorneys will get you the compensation you deserve. The law is on your side, and Larry H. Parker will Fight For You!™
| The United States Congress is investigating the management of the insurance coverage provided in the Defense Base Act. Insurance companies appear to have collected nearly $600 million dollars in excessive profits while fighting tooth and nail to avoid paying benefits to injured civilian contractors who deserve compensation. Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Henry Waxman of California said, "What makes the situation even worse is the people this program is supposed to benefit — the injured employees working for contractors — have to fight the insurance companies to get their benefits...Delays and denials in paying claims are the rule." If you or a loved one is an civilian contractor injured in Iraq or Afghanistan, don't fight the insurance companies alone. Call attorney Larry H. Parker at (800) 333-0000. We'll Fight for You™! |
The Defense Base Act of 1941 was enacted with the purpose of providing workers’ compensation benefits to United States civilian contract workers (or their dependents) in the unfortunate event of injury, disability, or death while serving our military or government outside the United States. By law, almost every civilian contract employee in Iraq and Afghanistan must be covered under Defense Base Act insurance.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a life-changing anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to an event or threat of extreme violence. A person who develops PTSD may have been the victim, known the victim, or simply witnessed the traumatic event. Symptoms usually materialize within 3 months of the event, but can develop years later. PTSD symptoms can persist for varying lengths of time, sometimes becoming chronic.
There are differing reports regarding the prevalence of PTSD in soldiers returning home. Estimates have ranged from 1 in 8 veterans to nearly 1 in 2 veterans. However, soldiers are not the only persons in Iraq and Afghanistan exposed to the constant threat of violence and danger. Civilian contractors also deal with the daily threats of working in a war zone, exposed to many of the same dangers that face the military, sometimes at an even higher risk of danger.
The Defense Base Act was designed to provide compensation for injuries sustained by U.S. civilian contractors on foreign soil. However, there are increasing numbers of reports of insurance companies unjustifiably denying benefits or paying insignificant amounts for valid Defense Base Act claims. These claims not only consist of PTSD and other stress-induced mental conditions, but also consist of physical injury including disability, dismemberment, and even death.
If you or a loved one has worked as a civilian contractor for the United States government in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other occupied territory and suffers from PTSD or other work-related injuries, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker wants to help. We have over 30 years experience in assuring that our clients are treated fairly by insurance companies. Fill out a form or give us a call at (800) 333-0000 for a free, no obligation consultation with complete confidentiality. Our experienced team of attorneys will get you the compensation you deserve. The law is on your side, and Larry H. Parker will Fight For You!™
