Defense Base Act Attorneys
For Military Contractors

California Military Contractor Killed in Iraq

On December 27, 2019, Iraq fired a number of missiles aimed at bases housing U.S. military troops, killing an American civilian contractor and injuring four U.S. service members and two Iraqi security forces personnel.

The identity of the U.S. military contractor has been confirmed to be Nawres Waleed Hamid, a linguist working for Valiant Integrated Services, a company based in Virginia. Hamid lived in the Sacramento suburb of Arden Arcade along with his wife and two sons, ages 2 and 8. The family had lived in the United States since 2011.

According to Hamid’s wife, Noor Alkhali, she thought something must be wrong when Hamid failed to respond to several phone messages from her. The sad news was confirmed when a representative from Valiant Integrated Services arrived to advise her of her husband’s death. Alkhali plans to remain in California, where she will focus on her two children.

Representatives from Valiant issued a statement naming Hamid as a consummate professional and valued member of the Valiant team. U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, a prominent Sacramento Democrat recognized his service and sacrifice, and stated that the country owed him a debt of gratitude.

Military Contractor Risks Heat Up in Iraq

The U.S. blamed the attack on the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, an Iraqi militia backed by Iran, and responded with air strikes of its own that killed 25 people in Iraq and Syria. Those strikes in turn prompted an attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. This was followed by a U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad airport that killed Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s expeditionary Quds force. The killing prompted waves of mourning and threats of revenge in Iran.

The volatile situation in Iraq brings heightened concern for the troops stationed in the area. Of equal concern are the increased risks to military contractors. Because contractors generally are not issued firearms, nor are most of them trained for combat, they are more vulnerable, and in many cases, must provide their own security. Companies are now analyzing workforce security in the region, what defense systems provide the best security, and what the heightened conflict in the Middle East might mean in terms of their employees’ safety and the company’s bottom line.

Defense Base Act Benefits for Military Contractors in Iraq

The tragic death of military contractor Nawres Hamid is a stark and sobering reminder of the risks dedicated overseas workers face in Iraq every day.

The Defense Base Act is a Federal workers’ compensation program that covers persons employed at United States defense bases overseas, including in Iraq. The DBA provides medical treatment and compensation to employees of defense contractors injured in the scope and course of employment, as well as death benefits to the families of military contractors who are killed.

In the tragic event of a worker’s death, the spouse or one child receives 1/2 of the weekly wage and two or more surviving family members receive 2/3 of the weekly earnings. If the worker is not married and has no children, benefits will go to next of kin.

Attorneys for Military Contractors in Iraq

While the Defense Base Act has been around since 1941, its application to overseas defense base contractors is still not widely known. An employer or insurance company may tell you that you have received all benefits to which you are entitled under Workers Comp, even though there are additional benefits available to you under the Defense Base Act.

That is why it is so important to consult with an attorney who is familiar with the Defense Base Act before you enter into settlement discussions. And there’s no reason not to – the cost of hiring a Defense Base Act attorney is payable by the insurance company, once the attorney has been approved by the United States Department of Labor.

Defense Base Act Attorneys for Military Contractors in Iraq

Attorneys at Cantrell Green, a Long Beach-based workers comp firm, have gained considerable experience in Defense Base Act law. We understand its intricacies and how it functions within the context of the workers comp system. We will ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled, that will provide you with medical care, income replacement and peace of mind throughout your recovery process. Give us a call today for a free consultation.

Military Contractor Defense Base Act Attorneys

Our highly specialized Defense Base Act attorneys are committed to ensuring that every injured or disabled civilian employee obtains the benefits he or she has earned. We have successfully filed hundreds of Defense Base Act applications and appeals – obtaining millions of dollars in DBA benefits in over four decades of legal service.

Call today, 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.

Military Contractor Defense Base Act Attorneys: 800-964-8047