In the wake of 9/11, thousands of Americans signed on with companies that had contracted with the U.S. federal government to provide services in support of the U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. War zones are dangerous places, and they have sometimes proved as dangerous for our civilian workers as they have for our troops.

Tragically, many of these workers became injured while overseas. Just as tragically, many of the workers who where injured in support of American efforts abroad have been faced with overwhelming medical bills and loss of income as they recuperated.

Some also lost their lives, leaving their families destitute. Many others who are unable to work watch their family's savings and assets dwindle, and their security disappear.

A law exists to ensure fair workers compensation for these people. It's called the Defense Base Act. Unfortunately, too few people in need of its protection understand their own rights under the law. Even fewer know what to do to guarantee those rights.

Recuperation can be difficult enough without mounting bills, the threat of bankruptcy, and an inability to get proper medical care and rehabilitation. That's to say nothing of the financial threat to the families involved.

The Defense Base Act requires that contractors working with the U.S. Military in war zones carry worker's compensation insurance. This type of insurance is compulsory for organizations employing U.S. citizens or residents, and all employees or subcontractors hired on overseas government contracts.

These companies have been known to fail to inform their employees of their rights under the law. Worse, the insurance carriers often refuse claims, abandoning injured Americans who supported the American mission to face crushing expenses and debt on their own.

Fortunately, Federal law provides a genuine solution, though unfortunately few injured workers know how to apply it. The Defense Base Act is part of the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and covers to employees of government contractors working overseas under contract to the United States Government.

Specifically, the Act covers workers employed by American contractors performing public works for the U.S. government in U.S. territories, or at U.S. military bases located outside the continental United States, in support of military aid programs within allied nations. The Act protects workers, even in situations that are not overtly dangerous, such as building embassies.S. government buildings abroad. As with domestic workers compensation laws, the Act covers medical treatment and compensation for defense contractors employees injured in the course of employment.

For thousands of American workers injured abroad, the Defense Base Act has provided support them under devastating circumstances. Claims under the Act have been successfully filed by many individuals, including some contact workers injured in Korea, VietNam, both Iraq wars, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. All of these come under the general coverage of the Act.

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