Burn Pit Exposure Attorneys
For Civilians Injured on Military Bases

DAV Calls for Changes to Burn Pit Exposure Cases

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is a nonprofit charity that provides lifetime support for veterans and their families. They help more than 1 million veterans in a variety of ways annually – including providing annual assistance with more than 200,000 benefit claims. One area in which they have increased advocacy efforts for veterans is in the area of compensation for burn pit injuries.

Unfortunately, there is not a similar organization in place to assist civilian workers who were injured or made ill by burn pits while working on military bases overseas. The good news is that a few very experienced and committed attorneys – like the Defense Base Act lawyers at Cantrell Green – have dedicated their careers to providing government contractors’’ employees with comparable protection.

DAV Report on Locations of Burn Pit Exposure

The DAV release a special report on the tragedy of toxic burn pit exposure overseas. According to that document, beginning with Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991), burn pits have been operated in Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. And, burn pits were deemed “operationally necessary” throughout Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia (995-1996). Additionally, burn pits were (and continue to be) operated in Afghanistan and Djibouti since September 11, 2001, – and in Iraq since March 20, 2003.

DAV Report on Toxins in Burn Pit Exposure

The DAV report relies on several studies indicating that veterans – as well as civilians working on these overseas military bases – were exposed to airborne toxins from an unbelievable array of toxins. Waste disposed of in these burn pits include: plastics, metal; aluminum; rubber; paints & solvents; petroleum & lubricants; other chemicals; wood; munitions; unexploded ordnance; human waste; and even medical waste

According to reports cited by the DAV, smoke from the burn pits would blow over entire bases – permeating all living areas. This would mean that not only military personnel were exposed to burn pit toxins, but that civilian military contractors were also directly exposed to burn pit fumes.

DAV Report on the Challenge of Burn Pit Cases

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not “automatically” recognize and compensate veterans for illness due to burn pit exposure. In other words, there is no “presumption” of service connection for diseases related to burn pit exposure.

Tragically and unfairly, this means that the burden is on the ill serviceman or servicewoman to “prove” or establish a direct service connection between the burn pit exposure and their current disability.

Similarly, for civilian workers injured on military bases by burn pit exposure there is also no “presumption” that their current illness or disease was caused by burn pit exposure. So, sadly, Defense Base Act (DBA) benefits are not “automatic” for civilian military contractors injured by burn pits.

But, because there is no DAV to help these injured civilians, it is essential that they seek out an experienced burn pit attorney to help them prove their claim, and collect the benefits and compensation that they deserve under the Defense Base Act.

Why Civilians Need an Attorney for Burn Pit Exposure Cases

While records exist of generally where burn pits were used, it can be difficult for a civilian worker to document their individual exposure to a burn pit – especially because during combat operations and in war zones there may be no records of the exact dates and specific locations of the burn pits.

And, even if the worker can prove burn pit exposure, they still have to prove that their burn pit exposure caused or was linked to the disease or illness.

This can be difficult to prove for a variety of reasons. First, medical professionals may not have knowledge of the actual chemicals and toxins emitted by the burn pit.  Secondly, the employer or insurance company will also often try to blame the illness on exposure to other toxins – pollution, cigarette smoke, etc. And, finally, because the disease often appears several years after exposure to the burn pit, the “causal link” can be hard to establish.

Retaining a Defense Based Act law firm that has experience handling burn pit cases is very important. Our attorneys have already helped multiple civilian military contract workers win their burn pit exposure cases and receive the maximum benefits to which they are entitled. We understand how to fight against employers and Defense Base Compensation insurers who will try to deny your burn pit exposure compensation.

We have the skill, experience, knowledge and team of medical experts to PROVE that your current illness or disease was directly caused by your burn pit exposure – so that you get the compensation and medical care you need, to provide financial peace of mind for you and your family.

Attorneys for Burn Pit Exposure Cases

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 exposure 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 burn pit exposure case attorneys.

Civilian Burn Pit Exposure Attorneys Free Consultation: 800-964-8047