Asking an attorney whether or not you need a lawyer to represent you in a legal matter is a lot like asking someone who works in car sales if today is a good time to buy a car. The expected answer is “yes, definitely!”

There are many Defense Base Act (DBA) firms and attorneys who wish to represent you in your case. My background as a U.S. Marine veteran gives me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overseas contractors.

Burn pits were a common sight on U.S. military bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict zones like Kuwait, Syria and Qatar. These open-air pits burned massive amounts of waste including plastics, rubber, chemicals, medical supplies and even human waste which were often ignited with gasoline or jet fuel.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic or dangerous event.  For civilian contractors working on U.S. military bases abroad, like in Iraq or Afghanistan, this often comes from exposure to combat, attacks or other high-stress situations.

If you’re an overseas contractor dealing with a back injury after working on a U.S. military base abroad, understanding DBA claims is crucial. The Defense Base Act (DBA) provides vital workers’ compensation for injuries like herniated discs, sciatica, or chronic back pain sustained on military bases or construction sites in places like Afghanistan or Iraq.

While many professions have clients, the nature of the relationship between lawyers and their clients is a unique one. In my areas of practice, I serve people who are often dealing with some of the most stressful events in their lives and, consequently, are in great emotional turmoil when we speak.