Burn Pit Attorneys
For Civilians Injured Overseas

CBS Reports on Iraq & Afghanistan Burn Pit Exposure

In August of 2019, CBS News released an extensive report on the thousands of veterans who were exposed to serious and even fatal diseases as the result of burn pit exposure during deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. That exposé revealed that thousands of the 1.5 million US troops who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan returned home with hidden injury and disease from burn pit exposure.

Between 2001 and 2011 many of the US military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq disposed of almost every imaginable type of waste material in giant fires called “burn pits.” Veterans – as well as civilian workers – who worked or lived near these burn pits breathed toxic fumes from the burn pit fires, day and night, irreparably damaging their health.

In that report, CBS interviewed several army veterans – some of whom are now part of a lung study at the National Jewish hospital in Denver. Those soldiers reported that troops constantly saw, smelled and breathed smoke “pretty much every day, all day.” They explained that everything from batteries, plastics, electronics, chemicals, heavy metals and even arsenic all were thrown into these burn pits.

Astonishingly CBS reports that these burn pits are STILL in use – putting both military personnel and civilian government contractors on bases overseas at risk of disease and even death from exposure. In April, the U.S. Central Command reported that nine burn pits creating toxic smoke were still in operation – and that thirteen burn pits are still burning (allegedly) non-hazardous waste,

What the Government Says About Burn Pit Injury

According to CBS, a report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction revealed that, while literally millions of dollars were spent on incinerators to properly dispose of waste, they just sat idle next to active burn pits. That report was quoted as stating: “It is indefensible that U.S. military personnel, who are already at risk of serious injury and death when fighting the enemy, were put at further risk from … burn pits.”

A five-year lung study has also been funded by the Department of Defense to study the effects of burn pit exposure. The principal investigator in that study is occupational medicine doctor and pulmonologist Dr. Cecile Rose.  She explained to CBS that the goal of the study she heads is to understand the type and extent of lung diseases resulting from inhalation of hazardous fumes from burn pit exposure.

But, she explained, that while it is clear that thousands of soldiers returned with diseases that are related to deployment, it’s hard to specifically identify the burn pits as being responsible. Frustratingly, she claimed that this is because many other potential lung hazards – including desert dust, sandstorms, and diesel exhaust – could also be responsible.

Unbelievably, 12,000 claims have been filed with the VA connected to burn pits, but only about 2,500 have been accepted by The Veterans Administration – further evidence of the government’s blatant refusal to accept responsibility for this egregious action and tragic outcome.

 Civilian Government Contractors & Burn Pit Injury

The CBS report followed the tragic stories of several veterans whose serious or fatal conditions were caused by burn pit exposure in Iraq. But that report did not cover the other tremendous tragedy of the situation: the thousands of civilian government contractors on military bases overseas who were also exposed to burn pits.

Just as the VA has tried denying veteran compensation for burn pit injuries, government contractor employers and/or their insurance companies are denying that civilian employees’ current illnesses are the result of burn pit exposure.

However, medical experts, and our experienced Defense Base Act attorneys, have clearly proven that workers illnesses are the direct result of burn pit exposure.  Our skilled and specialized DBA burn pit attorneys will ensure that civilian government contractors are receiving all of the benefits they are entitled to for burn pit exposure.

How Burn Pit Attorneys can Help Civilian Contractor Employees

Retaining a Defense Based Act law firm that has experience handling burn pit cases is very important. Our attorneys will ensure that you receive the maximum benefits to which you are entitled, to provide you with the medical care you need, as well as an income, and financial peace of mind for your family.

Our experienced Defense Base Act burn pit attorneys are completely FREE, and your lawyer fees are payable by the insurance company, once approved by the United States Department of Labor.

The attorneys at Cantrell Green are among very few who are specialized in Defense Base Act cases who have handled several burn pit case. We are here to help you collect the compensation you and your family deserve for the devastating illness you have suffered as a result of your employer’s negligence in exposing you to toxic burn pits.

Call our burn pit attorneys immediately, or fill out the short form on the right, to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with one of our skilled and experienced Defense Base Act Attorneys.

Free Consultation with a Burn Pit Attorney: 800-964-8047