
The World’s Most Dangerous Countries for Defense Contractors
What are the world’s most dangerous countries for civilian contractors who assist the U.S. military?
Based on Defense Base Act (DBA) claims reported on the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs website for fiscal 2018, they are:
- Afghanistan (2,063 claims).
- Iraq (1,857 claims).
- Kuwait (465 claims).
The DBA provides workers’ compensation protection to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or for national defense. The number of DBA claims does not constitute the complete or official casualty statistics of civilian contractor injuries and deaths. But the reported claims do provide a way of understanding where contractors are getting injured the most. Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait accounted for 65 percent of DBA claims filed by contractors overseas, who serve in locations ranging from Cuba to South Africa.
It probably comes as no surprise that Afghanistan and Iraq accounted for the most of DBA claims, but I’m not sure how many people would have guessed Kuwait as Number Three. In fact, Kuwait is an important partner in the U.S. fight against international terrorism, including Operation Inherent Resolve, which focuses on ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. U.S. forces maintain a presence in Kuwait that includes military bases and the largest U.S. military airport in the Middle East.
As the U.S. military defends freedom around the world, the help of our international partners is crucial. Having a presence in various countries naturally increases the chance of casualties occurring for many reasons, and those casualties include contractors.
At Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen, we can personally attest to the risks that defense contractors face. For example, a 29-year-old security specialist injured his arm in Baghdad. He developed complex regional pain syndrome, which spread throughout his body. We negotiated a $1.1 million settlement that included compensation for impairment of his earning capacity and anticipated medical expenses. You can learn more about our DBA work and expertise here.
Thanks to the DBA, at least civilian contractors have recourse to receive compensation for the price they have paid while working serving our country. This blog post of mine explains in more detail who is covered and the benefits the DBA provides.
Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen
If an employee who is covered by the Defense Base Act is injured, he or she is entitled to disability and medical benefits. No two cases are the same, and the amount of compensation varies per situation. This is just one of many reasons an injured worker should contact an attorney that is experienced in Defense Base Act claims. Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen now at (855) 208-3699 if you believe you are entitled to compensation under the Defense Base Act. We are ready to assist. Let us show how we can deliver results for you.
