Burn Pit Exposure Attorneys
For Civilians Injured on Military Bases

Burn Pit Quick Facts for Civilians Working on Military Bases

The Defense Base Act attorneys at Cantrell Green are among very few who have handled several burn pit cases for contract military workers who were made sick while working overseas on US bases.

In this article we offer several quick facts to help you determine if your illness or disease may have been caused by exposure to toxic smoke from a burn pit on a military base – as well as how to collect the compensation you and your family deserve for the devastating illness you have suffered.

Where US Military Burn Pits Were Operated

According to a recent report by the DAV (Disabled Veterans of America) burn pits were operated by the US military at the following locations:

• Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991): Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
• Operation Joint Endeavor ( 1995-1996): Bosnia
• Since September 11, 2001: Afghanistan and Djibouti
• Since March 20, 2003: Iraq

According to an August 2019 CBS News report, the U.S. Central Command stated as of April 2019 nine burn pits creating toxic smoke were still in operation – as well as thirteen burn pits that are (allegedly) burning non-hazardous waste.

What Was Burned in Military Burn Pits

Several studies have indicated that both veterans and civilian contractors employed on US military bases overseas were exposed to toxic fumes from the burning of the following substances and materials:

• Plastics
• Batteries
• Rubber, including tires
• Metal, including heavy metals, aluminum & arsenic
• Chemicals, including paints & solvents)
• Petroleum products, including gasoline, motor oil & lubricants
• Munitions and unexploded ordnance
• Electronics, vehicles, furniture & appliances
• Human waste and medical waste

 Number of Personnel Exposed to Burn Pits

The exact number of military and civilian personnel exposed to toxins or made sick by burn pits is uncertain.

Between the years 2001 and 2011 more than 1.5 million US troops were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan only. And this figure does not include the vast numbers of civilian contractors working alongside them.

Recently the VA has set up a voluntary “burn pit registry” for which more than 180,000 veterans registered. As of 2019 CBS News reported that 12,000 burn pit exposure claims had been filed with the VA by military personnel – but only about 2,500 had been accepted.

At this time there is no registry or data base in place for the thousands of civilian military contractors made ill by burn pit exposure on bases overseas. So this number cannot be determined.

Determining the number of civilian employees injured by burn pits is further complicated by the fact that the disease may not show up for years or even decades after exposure. So, tragically, many injured overseas workers do not realize that their illness was caused by burn pit exposure.

Illnesses Caused by Burn Pit Exposure

Civilians and military personnel deployed overseas at or near a burn pit, have reported developing:

• Cancers, including lung, liver and pancreatic cancer
• Respiratory or pulmonary illness (lung & breathing problems)
• Skin lesions & rashes
• Heart condition
• Liver or kidney problems
• Other serious health issues

The attorneys at Cantrell Green are among very few who are specialized in Defense Base Act cases who have handled burn pit cases. 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 exposure to toxic burn pits.

How to Get Compensation for Burn Pit Exposure

Help for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits

Veterans are entitled to VA healthcare for illness caused by exposure to a toxic substance, radiation, or other conditions under 38 U.S.C. Section 1710. However that law does not specifically address, reference or concede coverage for illness that was caused by burn pit exposure.

So veterans must file claims for direct service connection for diseases and illnesses related to burn pit exposure, and prove both evidence of burn pit exposure, and evidence of a connection between the burn pit exposure and their current disability.

Veterans who have been denied burn pit claims are encouraged to reach out to the DAV at: https://www.dav.org/

Help for Civilians on Military Bases Exposed to Burn Pits

Civilian contractors made sick by burn pit exposure on overseas military bases are not covered by the VA or DAV but ARE entitled to compensation under the Defense Base Act. If you were made ill by burn pit exposure you DO have the right to pursue legal action and collect workers compensation under the Defense Base Act for your disease or disability.

However, civilians face the same uphill battle as veterans when trying to “prove” that the burn pit exposure caused their illness. Employers and their DBA insurance company will typically try to deny claims for compensation due to burn pit exposure.

For this reason it is extremely important to have an experienced and skilled DBA burn pit attorney by your side.

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 DBA workers 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 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 Attorneys – Free Consultation: 800-964-8047