Defense Base Act Lawyers Blog

In our recent articles we have advised you that the U.S. Defense Base Act protects contractors of any nationality working for various agencies of the United States and, specifically, the U.S. Military. We have had major bases from all branches of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force) in Japan and Okinawa for many decades. Due to the 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011, and the resulting tsunami the nuclear reactors in Fukushima Prefecture have suffered catastrophic coolant failure.

When nuclear reactors can not be shut down properly and the rods of enriched uranium and/or plutonium over heat, they release enormous amounts of radioactivity. Private defense contractors in the region must be aware of the symptoms of radiation exposure. These symptoms may not show for months. Any questions as to coverage for radiation illness that you may have should be brought immediately to your Defense Base Act lawyer. The speed with which the symptoms may develop is generally proportional to the extent of the exposure. Logically, a high exposure even over a short period of time will create symptoms more quickly that a low exposure to radioactive isotopes over a longer period of time. There are no absolute rules here. However, even with a low level exposure if it lasts long enough (different for every person) it can still create radiation poisoning.

Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is also known as radiation poisoning. It has also been called radiation sickness or radiation toxicity. Radiation sickness disrupts the bodies functions at the cellular level initially causing vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, loss of weight, skin disruptions including redness, skin burns, and persistent sores. Any or all of these initial symptoms need to be evaluated immediately. Remember, these initial symptoms may not show up until months after exposure so don't ignore any of them. Contact a Defense Base Act lawyer with experience. Severe gastrointestinal symptoms accompanied by skin lesions become worse without proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment generally consists of blood transfusions, antibiotics, and supportive therapies to control the skin lesions and overcome the gastric distress. Iodine is administered as well so that the thyroid gland absorbs the relatively harmless iodine and NOT the radioisotopes. Because low to moderate ARS (Acute Radiation Syndrome) causes a drop in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets this shows up in the patient as extreme fatigue, uncontrollable bleeding, and susceptibility to infections. More severe cases have those symptoms plus dizziness (vertigo), headaches (cephalgia), and even coma. If you, as a private defense contractor experience any of these symptoms, you must immediately report the exposure and secure medical treatment. You will need legal help as well to make sure that you get all of the benefits available to you under the U.S. Defense Base Act. Remember a Defense Base Act attorney with experience can help you or your family member who qualifies get all of the medical care you need, lost wages, and a possible settlement.

Please see our earlier article on the incredibly fine humanitarian assistance the U.S. Marines, the other military branches, and private defense contractors are providing to the Japanese people. The 'triple threat' of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown has left Japan and the Japanese people in dire need. Towns and cities were destroyed, many thousands killed, thousands more are missing, and the exact extent of the devastation is still unknown. Our U.S. military has been called upon to render aid and with them come the many private military contractors who aid and assist not only the Japanese people, but also to the U.S. military.

Unfortunately, the Fukushima Dai-Ichi (Daiichi) nuclear reactors have suffered catastrophic failures in their cooling systems, have leaked radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere, and the "hail mary" ploys of pumping sea water into the reactors to cool the rods has left the ocean contaminated in the region. Workers for TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) have already been exposed to tens of thousands of times the acceptable levels of radiation. This past weekend, power plant workers were again evacuated from reactor three when water containing between ten thousand to fifty thousand times the safe level of radioactive isotopes got past their protective clothing.

The picture is bleak but, fortunately, our military and our private defense contractors will not be deployed into the reactors. The entire region, however, holds danger and without becoming an alarmist, it is very important for our military contractors to be aware of the dangers of radiation exposure, the symptoms to look out for, and the help and treatments that are available.

The United States Defense Base Act provides protection for our defense contractors. Any one of ANY nationality working under a contract with the United States government; various agencies and the military (Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force) is covered anywhere in the world. All of the defense bases and occupied territories in Asia may experience potentially serious levels of radiation in the air, food, and water. It is vitally important that anyone exposed to radiation or even suspecting radiation sickness contact an experienced Defense Base Act lawyer for help in securing testing, treatment, and lost wages. A settlement may also be possible. You need to discuss all of these benefits with your Defense Base Act attorney.

Please see our next blog posting regarding symptoms of radiation poisoning. Remember, the odds are that you will not have any problems in Japan or in Asia, but the possibility does exist for radiation poisoning. Given that possibility, you need to protect yourself. There are treatments that work, but you have to know about the symptoms and you need to get legal advice about the medical and financial benefits of the U.S. Defense Base Act.

The triple threat" facing Japan; earthquakes, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown in their reactors; has created an unprecedented disaster in the third largest economy in the world. Japan is also a long standing friend and ally to the United States. Our country has responded and has already dispatched millions of dollars in aid and assistance. Dr. Ronald DeMeo, a South Florida pain management physician and inventor of Demron, a radiation resistant material, donated 200 radiation suits to the Japanese nuclear reactor workers and technicians. Dr. DeMeo invented the material and the suits in response to seeing his patients, his colleagues and himself develop rashes, burns, and even cancers from exposure to medical x-rays. These suits have also been popular around the world in the nuclear power industry and they are made here in Medley, Florida. They retail for just under $2,000.00. Expensive for a "suit," but incredibly inexpensive as a life saver! We commend Dr. DeMeo for his humanitarianism and great generosity.

Nukepills.com, an internet seller of radiation preparedness supplies, is based in Mooresville, N.C., and despite an incredible worldwide demand for potassium iodide; a radiation sickness preventative; they have donated fifty (50,000) thousand doses of this important drug to the Tokushukai Hospital in Tokyo. There they will distribute them to the victims exposed to high levels of radiation in and near the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. Nukepills, along with many thousands of other businesses and individuals, have "stepped up to the plate" and are trying to help these suffering people.

The United States military and the private defense contractors who provide critical services to the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are mobilizing in Japan to help the victims of this triple headed monster of a catastrophe. The U.S. Marine Corps maintains a large presence in Japan. On Okinawa, there are a great number of facilities operating under the umbrella organization of Marine Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. Elsewhere in Japan, there are other major installations which include; Camp Courtney, Camp Foster, Camp Gonsalves, Camp Hansen, Camp Kinser, Camp Lester, Camp McTureous, and Camp Schwab.

The Marines also operate dedicated air stations where search and rescue are part of the mission statement and part of the training that takes place year after year in the event a need arises in the region. These bases are the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Camp Fuji, and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Defense contractors support all of these facilities providing technical support and logistical support, security, maintenance, translators, and other vital services.

Today, in Japan, approximately 4,700 U.S. military personnel, mostly Marines and sailors, have been assigned to Operation Tomodachi (that means "friend" in Japanese). They are supplying the Japanese victims massive quantities of humanitarian supplies and equipment. Due to lack of usable roads, destroyed rail lines, and obliterated infrastructure the relief effort has been a severe challenge. Our allies, Japan's Army and other military have been cooperating in trying to help the Marines help the Japanese people. It is a massive and complex effort and while they have had logistical glitches, they are working together for the common goal of helping the stricken regions and its devastated people.

While many branches of the U.S. armed forces are involved in Operation Tomodachi, the Marine Corps has led the efforts on the ground and in the worst-hit areas of Japan. We salute and commend these brave men and women; military and military contractors; who are struggling to help the Japanese people who are in desperate need.

There is an old Chinese saying; some may call it it a curse; "May you live in interesting times." Well, we sure do live in interesting times! On the Korean peninsula we have one ethnic people divided into two countries that are are still technically at a state of war. A truce was declared in 1953, back when Dwight Eisenhower was the new U.S. President. A truce or an armistice means, in essence, we will not shoot or bomb you - - - today. It does not mean peace. Hundreds of thousands of active duty servicemen and women are based on both sides of the 38th Parallel in Korea facing each other armed and ready. Private military contractors (defense contractors) from dozens of countries stand with the military rendering technical assistance, security, logistical and operational support.

In the Philippines, Japan, Okinawa, and elsewhere in Asia, there are deployments of military and defense contractors dedicated to various important missions; such as preparedness training, peacekeeping, and overall lending themselves to providing strategic and regional stability. And then, of course, there are those interesting regions; Afghanistan, North Africa, and the perennial favorite "hotspot," the Middle East.

The importance of the role of the Private Military Contractors, also known as Defense Contractors, has rarely made the front pages of the world's newspapers or the first item on television or the internet. However, the risks taken and the sacrifices made by these men and women from all over the world can not remain ignored. According investigative reporting by such internationally respected sources as the Los Angeles Times, Reuters, and the New York Times, there have frequently been many thousands more defense contractors working for the United States in Iraq than active duty military.

Because we do live in "interesting times," we need the private military contractors; we need their skills, their courage, and their dedication. The injury coverage and protection offered to defense contractors by the United States Defense Base Act is but one means of expressing the appreciation we in the U.S., and others throughout the world, have for these people and the fine work they do. More, however, can and should be done.

Libya is erupting in open warfare between elements of their military and large segments of the population. Some Libyan Air Force pilots have even left the country; preferring to defect and take their planes with them rather than be ordered to shoot civilians. In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak resigned after weeks of enormous rallies and protests in Cairo and throughout the country. Elsewhere in the region longstanding administrations; some friendly with the United States; are being overthrown or are reaching compromises.

Military contractors from Afghanistan to the Middle East and throughout Europe and North Africa need to closely watch these breaking news stories. These are incredible and momentous events. The entire region is in turmoil and while that does increase opportunities for defense contractor positions, it also increases the inherent dangers.

Col. Muammar Gaddafi responded to protests in his country by having the protesters shot. There are open battles taking place in Libya today. Governments in Europe, North America, and throughout the world are demanding that Gaddafi stop the bloodshed and resign immediately. U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, summed up the position of the United States in telling Gaddafi to "go now." In Geneva, she said that Gaddafi and his followers used "mercenaries and thugs" to kill civilian protesters and terrorizing whole communities.

There are stories coming out of Libya of mid level military officers loyal to Gaddafi murdering soldiers who refuse to fire on civilian citizens.

The EU (European Union) today imposed even more sanctions on the Libyan dictator and his regime.Assets throughout the world have been frozen, travel is restricted for Col. Gaddafi and his top aides, and a general arms embargo is being imposed. Tens of thousands of refugees are trying to leave Libya. Migrants working in Libya (many from Egypt) are stranded near Libya's border with Tunisia. These workers (many in oil industry) are asking the Egyptian Army to rescue them. The overall situation is getting far worse. There will be a lot of opportunities for defense contractors in the upcoming months (possibly years). Civilian populations will be in turmoil for some time until the fighting stops (if it does). Security will be a top priority for the U.S. Military and other governmental agencies working in the area. Oil prices will be fluctuating wildly. The term "instability" hardly describes this explosive series of events. Defense contractors and the United States Armed Forces are getting prepared for different scenarios and remain on high alert.

The Middle Eastern unrest has grown from a few small gatherings of angry students to tens of thousands of protesters in multiple countries. After 31 years in power Hosni Mubarak stepped down from the presidency in Egypt. In Libya, there is general warfare taking place and a real question in the minds of diplomats and business leaders throughout the world is how it will develop.

Defense Base Act cases are likely to rise as the political and military situation in the region becomes more unstable. We ask our clients and their families to use extreme caution on and off base and in the occupied territories in the region.

Oil prices are likely to rise as Libya's oil; perhaps only 3% of the world's ready supply may be in jeopardy. Saudi Arabia has sufficient capacity to make up the difference easily, but there is still going to at least be an interim increase in prices. The United States has called on diplomats and many defense contractors to depart the region. Germany and the United Kingdom are working to send charter flights into Libya to bring out their nationals. We ask that everyone keep a close watch on local, national, and regional developments. As a practical matter, you might also consider contacting family members and keeping them apprised of your status and whereabouts. The internet has been "shut down" for a time in Egypt and severely curtailed in Yemen, Bahrain, and Libya. You might also want to pre-select a Defense Base Act attorney if an unfortunate accident should take you out of commission. Let your family know your wishes in that area should you sustain a serious injury. Check on your rights now. Protect yourself at all costs.

Travel restrictions; almost always an annoying issue; are going to get worse for the foreseeable future. We suggest you keep your valuables, identification documents, and travel documents with you at all times. We, of course, are quite hopeful that the region will settle down, become stable, and perhaps even more democratic. Still, please exercise extreme caution and take prudent steps to protect yourself.

The United States has had difficulty determining which side or sides to support in the recent unrest in Egypt. For thirty years, Hosni Mubarak lead a stable economical, political, and military regime in Egypt. As our defense contractors and their many employees well know, the United States has had close military ties with Egypt during the Mubarak administration. Of course, the United States is also the international champion of freedom and democracy. Our legal system has provided some of these protections to our citizens and those who work for defense contractors and the U.S. Military throughout the world.

On one hand, the U.S. supports the people's right to peaceably assemble, to choose in a democratic process their leaders, to make laws through elected assemblies, and to seek redress for wrongs in unbiased courts. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin during the Second Continental Congress wrote into our Declaration of Independence those very principles. George Washington, our first great military leader and later president, fought the British and their Hessian mercenaries for many brutal years to win those precious rights. It is hard, therefore, to reconcile America's historical role in promoting democracy with our support (up until now) of the Mubarak administration.

Our defense contractors and those many that work directly or indirectly for them are also scrambling to achieve a balance. Egypt has for decades received American military support; arms, equipment, support, and money (in the billions). The popular uprising in Egypt has unseated Mr. Mubarak who resigned just days ago. The Egyptian military is in official control and has promised to hold free and fair democratic elections within six months. What will really happen? When? How?

These questions are being posed at the highest governmental and business levels throughout the world. The BBC (British Broadcasting Corp.) frequently has the best coverage; comprehensive, current, and unbiased; on this and related topics and we invite our clients to keep current on these developments. Their link to the Middle Eastern section of the World Report is at BBC Middle East. Please remember that what happens in Egypt is likely to have significant effects in the entire region and this may very well affect you directly.

Whether you are working in Iraq at Victory Base, Camp Taji, Abu Ghraib, or Fallujah, you need to keep abreast of these developments. If you are based in Qatar at the Al Udeid Air Base or are in Kuwait at Camp Buehring or Camp Ali Al Salem, then you and everyone else in the region need to track these news stories. Remember, in Iran, in 1979 it was popular student demonstrations and uprisings that toppled the Shah from power. It was only after that, when there was great political instability, that the Ayatollah Khomeini seized an opportunity to gain power as sweeping and totalitarian as that held by the Shah. In Egypt, the Moslem Brotherhood and others may seek to do the same.

When there is great political instability, there is even greater risk of conflict and injury to the employees of defense contractors providing logistical support, security, and other services to the United States Military. Should injury or death occur due to this regional instability, you or your family should immediately consult with experienced attorneys strategically based in Florida to quickly secure the medical and financial benefits of the United States Defense Base Act.