Working as a U.S. government contractor anywhere in the world comes with serious challenges. Without warning, you may find yourself in the midst of armed conflict, acts of war, or terrorism. If you’ve worked in Kuwait or Afghanistan, you know how quickly conditions can change. But conflict conditions are not the only cause of trauma. Observing traumatic events can have a lingering effect on your physical and mental health. This phenomenon is known as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
PTSD impacts private military contractors and civilian-military base employees at astonishing rates. Those who’ve spent time in Kuwait and Afghanistan are especially at risk for PTSD. Understanding how to file a Kuwait PTSD claim under the Defense Base Act is an essential step in restoring your mental health. Our seasoned dba attorneys have prepared this guide to Kuwait PTSD claims under the Defense Base Act to help people like you. We’ll guide you through how to file a Kuwait PTSD claim form to get compensation and what you can potentially recover.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a psychiatric condition brought on after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. The symptoms are different for each person but often include repetitive, troubling thoughts about a person’s experience. The thoughts that form the basis for Kuwait PTSD claims typically come on suddenly, often without a clear trigger. Unfortunately, people usually experience them for a long time after they return home.
Some of the most common PTSD symptoms include:
- Nightmares,
- Flashbacks,
- Depression and extreme sadness without an exact cause,
- Sensitivity to loud noises,
- Anxiety about performing basic tasks, and
- General feelings of fear and anger.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you may want to talk to a lawyer about filing a Kuwait PTSD claim.
Some individuals who worked on U.S. government contracts overseas or were employed on a U.S. military base may also experience what’s called “dissociation.” This is a feeling of detachment from others and from their own lives. Another symptom of PTSD is an inability to recall specific details about traumatic events. Sometimes this leads contractors to wrongly blame themselves for others’ injuries or even deaths. Military contractors should know that these are symptoms of serious psychological distress and trauma. These symptoms are not reflective of anything that they did wrong.
What Is the Defense Base Act?
The Defense Base Act is a federal workers compensation program for the civilian, non-federal government workers employed at embassies, on military bases, and in combat operations in foreign countries all around the world.
Your Kuwait PTSD claim may qualify for compensation under the Defense Base Act if you are a:
- Civilian contractor working anywhere in the world on a U.S. government contract;
- Worker on a U.S. military base anywhere in the world;
- Employee in any capacity on U.S. occupied or used land; or
- Subcontractor to a government contract performing public work in any U.S. territory or possession outside the continental U.S.
Working with an experienced lawyer as soon as you decide you want to pursue a Kuwait PTSD claim, Afghanistan PTSD claim, or Iraq PTSD claim can increase your likelihood of success. Our team at Grossman Attorneys at Law has extensive experience in the complex area of Defense Base Act law. We can help you file a Kuwait PTSD claim and fight to get you compensation you deserve.
How Do I File a Kuwait PTSD Claim?
Every Defense Base Act claim begins with filing a Form LS-201, Notice of Employee’s Death or Injury. Make sure that you tell your employer as soon as possible once you know that you’ll be filing a Kuwait PTSD claim. It might not always be feasible to seek medical attention right away for PTSD-related issues, as symptoms can take a long time to develop. However, the sooner you know you will be filing a Kuwait PTSD claim form, the stronger your claim will be. A Kuwait PTSD claim can be difficult to prove because many of the symptoms are emotional. The stronger your claim is, the better chance of a good recovery.
Often, the hardest part about filing a Kuwait PTSD claim under the Defense Base Act is that civilians may not understand that they qualify for Defense Base Act benefits. The Defense Base Act is a law specifically meant to protect civilians. You don’t even have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for Defense Base Act benefits. Check with a Defense Base Act lawyer if you’re suffering from PTSD and think you may be eligible for benefits.
What Happens If My Kuwait PTSD Claim Is Denied?
If you file a Kuwait PTSD claim and you and the insurance carrier cannot reach a settlement, you can ask for a review by an administrative law judge (ALJ). The ALJ will review the facts of the case and make a ruling about whether the claim should be covered or not. From there, you or the carrier may have the right to take the claim to federal court.
How Can Grossman Attorneys at Law Help
Our team at Grossman Attorneys at Law has dozens of years of collective experience negotiating and litigating Defense Base Act claims. We’ve got what it takes to help you on your way to a mental and physical recovery from your time overseas.
Contact us today for a free case consultation. See how we can help you navigate your Kuwait PTSD claim and get you back on track.
