Civilian contractors who worked near military burn pits overseas have reported serious, sometimes lifelong illness from the smoke and fumes. No one should carry that burden for having supported U.S. operations abroad. For contractors, the Defense Base Act is the route to compensation, and it reaches illnesses tied to burn-pit exposure.
Illness After Burn Pit Exposure
A contractor who developed an illness connected to burn-pit exposure may be eligible for compensation. The Defense Base Act can cover losses from a disease or illness that originated in that exposure, including medical costs, lost wages, and related damages. Building the case well takes medical evidence linking the condition to the work.
What Burn Pits Are
Burn pits were the military’s common method of on-site waste disposal at overseas installations. Open at the top, they were used to burn nearly anything solid: food and general refuse, rubber, plastics, and chemicals. For years they were the standard way to dispose of unwanted material at forward sites.
Where Burn Pits Were Used
Burn pits operated at U.S. installations across the Middle East, parts of Asia, and Africa. Commonly cited locations include:
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
- Kuwait
- Syria
- Djibouti
- Qatar
A contractor deployed where burn pits operated may have inhaled the fumes without registering it at the time. That history is worth having assessed, because an illness can trace back to the exposure years later.
Illnesses Linked to Burn Pit Exposure
The materials burned in these pits, from petroleum products to chemicals and equipment, released a mix of toxic smoke into the open air. Exposure has been associated with both short-term and long-term conditions.
Short-term effects include:
- Itchy or irritated skin and rashes
- Difficulty breathing
- Burning throat and cough
- Red or irritated eyes
Long-term conditions involve the:
- Lungs and respiratory system
- Central and peripheral nervous systems
- Heart and cardiovascular system
- Kidneys and liver
- Skin
- Reproductive system
Severity varies with how long and how closely a person was exposed.
How Contractors Recover Compensation
Contractors recover for burn-pit injuries through a Defense Base Act claim, which can account for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses tied to the exposure.
Not covered by the VA
Veterans can pursue burn-pit claims through the VA, and the PACT Act expanded that coverage for service members. Civilian contractors are not VA beneficiaries, so that door is closed to them. The burn-pit registry and the recent veterans’ legislation do not reach contract workers.
Little attention on contractors
Because the recent progress has centered on veterans, civilian contractors have been left with fewer clear paths. There is no dedicated registry or program for them. For a contractor, the Defense Base Act is the mechanism that makes a burn-pit claim possible, and understanding it is the starting point.
Getting Help With a Burn Pit Claim
The right lawyer is often the difference in a burn-pit claim, where causation is contested and the medical picture is complex. Experienced counsel gathers the evidence that connects the illness to the exposure and accounts for lost wages and the cost of ongoing treatment.
A civilian contractor with an illness tied to burn-pit exposure deserves a review by a firm that handles these Defense Base Act claims regularly, not the occasional workplace injury case. One firm with that focus is Grossman Attorneys at Law (no affiliation). Because causation is the hardest part of a burn-pit claim, the medical record built now, while the symptoms and their timeline are still fresh, carries more weight than anything assembled after the fact.
Comments 17
I was in Iraq 2016/17 at Qayyarah Airfield West and Mosul , we took mortar rounds that had chemicals contents but were later disavowed by military, the worst part was we were down range from burning oil wells that ISIS had set on fire, they burned constantly for over 8 months covering our base in a cloud you could duck under to breath, somedays we had to wait to leave our bunkers because air was so bad, oil covered everything, soot was everywhere the base was Hesco’s and tents we were the first group in and set the place up. I developed a sore throat but Navy medics said it was nothing, I have photos of the base and my time there showing clouds you ducked under to walk across the base, tents covered in soot and oil…surprised I now have Esophageal cancer? doubt any lawyer will help.
I worked for Haliburtion,/kbr from October 05 to to Feb 07 at talil air base ,I have had a stroke, have a CPAP machine my doctor told I was the worst case he’s ever seen , I have heart palpitations,that come and gone bad migraines ,blood pressure problems s sometimes my hands will shake And my memory gets foggy ,I have problems concentrating, I would take trash to the burn pits all the time ,that smoke would settle like fog all over that base,I am only 63 ,that’s only at talil the other I left in Feb 09 from jss Loyalty east sadr city I maintained facilities as a Carpenter is it to late for Help
My father was a civilian contractor for the USACE and was exposed to burn pits on 4 separate, 1-year-long contract tours in Iraq from 2006-2011. He had developed multiple different “extremely
Rare and unusual” blood cancers, and ultimately passed away from an aggressive leukemia. I promised him before he died that I would continue to fight for him and my mom; we have plenty of documentation that shows that his health conditions very likely came from his prolonged exposure to the burn pits. Is it even worth it to try and get justice for all of the poor civilian contractors that were left out of the defense act??! Or will they just continue to be denied compensation, even though they worked right alongside all the active duty men and women? We were so relieved that, at the very least, the active duty men and women are getting the help they need! But it is hurtful to know that all of the civilian contractors have been left behind on this important issue. I am happy to discuss my father’s case with whomever it may concern . Please feel free to contact me . Much appreciated !
How can I find an Attorney near me in Maine. I was a civilian in Afghanistan from 2011-2012. Since returning home I’ve had two strokes, been diagnosed with interstitial. Lung disease and uncrabke disorder called fibromyalgia. I was exposed to burn pits in three different places. I have never smoked anything on my life.
Hello.
What exactly is the statue of limitations on filing a claim ? I was a contractor in 2004 and 2005 at camp anaconda in Iraq. I was constantly being sent to the burning pits to dump stuff. Not including all the other pits at other bases.. since then I’ve had cancer twice, respiratory problems and also sleep on a bipap machine. Was very fit before Iraq once I came out of the shit hole my health shot down hill. Penny for your thoughts. Sincerely.
Hi my name is Lupe Collins Pro Se claimant for Dewayne Collins deceased, I have had this open and active case since August 24,2010. I have been ordered by Judge Calianos to get an attorney to help me through this hearing on February 3rd on zoom. He initially gave me me the win , he sent the case to settlement mediation that went south when the KBR attorney offered 2000.00. My husband didn’t go to work in Iraq for KBR Log Cap III HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER FOR 3 1/2 years to come home early broke without medical insurance then to die. If you can find it in your heart to help me with this situation please contact me at 217-703-3896. By the way the Judge finally caught them lying amending and falsifying documents. Just thought you might need to know this
Sincerely Lupita Collins
Possible that I can discuss being exposed to burn pits in Macedonia at Camp Abel Sentry.
Thanks.
Tommy Railsback.
I was in Iraq 2005-2007 was in great health before I went now I have asthma severe skin issues to the point of losing nearly all the skin on my lower legs, I have to wear a CPAP machine, my brother who was also there lost 1/2 his lung function. I figure this is going to be another case where they will just keep stalling until most of us die off before they ever do anything.
I was in Iraq and Afghanistan
i was in Badlad ,Iraq2008-2010 worked next to burn pit 7 days a week. i cant run or breath good any more
Good afternoon,
I was a contractor with KBR in Kabul from 2005-2006 and in Kuwait with KBR in 2007-2008 and then back to Afghanistan with Fluor 2018-2019.
Since my return back in the states I have had sinusitis and rhinitis as well as sleep apnea.
I have a constant running nose, nasal congestion, and after talking for several short minutes start to loose my voice, get dry throat, and a burning sensation. The throat dryness and burning affects my daily work activities when I have to talk for any periods of time.
Is there any recourse that I have under DBA?
Salutations,
I wanted to reach out to you in regards to entitements due me if any. I was a contractor in Afghanistan for 10 years. During this time I was directly exposed to excessive amount of Burn pit pollution. The Burn Pit’s were only a few blocks away. I have a few medical issues but would like to discuss this matter with you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you,
Trise Sullins
Recently, I have had medical issues and multiple tests have been performed. The VA Hospital i has been in charge of my most recent care because I am a 10% disabled veteran from 1975 with the Marine Corps. I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia / Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver at the end of the year. I have also had some other medical issues since deploying that could be related to Burn Pits.
For background information, I was exposed to burn pits in Fallujah Iraq in 2006 and Kabul Afghanistan 2007. The medical issues I am having are presumptive disease related to Burn Pits per the Pact Act, which
allows active duty to get compensation for the health issues. The Civilians that lived in the same place and rode with the military on the same roads were left out of the Pact Act. The personnel at the VA Hospital instructed me to register on the Burn Pit Registry but I was turned down because I was not on active duty. I was deployed overseas as a Military Construction Civil Engineer and worked as a technical expert for the military. My employer was the Department of Defense .
I had pre and post deployment physicals with the military that was deploying to the Middle East. I have memo from the Deputy Secretary of Defense that states “Additionally, deployed DoD civilian employees who later identify compensable illness, diseases, wounds or injuries under the DoL OWC programs also eligible for treatment in an MTF or private sector medical facility at no cost to them.” It states that DoD civilians are to be treated at the same level and scope provided to military personnel. I also have a memo from Under Secretary of Defense that all efforts must be made to get volunteers to go to Iraq and Afghanistan give them promotions etc.
The Government promised the world and then when you get sick, you’re on your own. There are many civilians that are sick and do not even know it yet. If not for being a veteran I would have hundreds of thousands in medical bills I would be paying. It is not right. I have letter stating I save the Government millions of dollars while deployed and all I got was cancer for my efforts
Im a Ugandan by nationality , i workrd in Iraq as a security guard for 6 years under SOC SMG, I dont know whether you can as well help me i and some of the guys i worked with while there have complications which doctors say that they resulted from toxic fumes of burn pits
I served in Iraq for seven months in 2003 and 2004. At the time I was a civilian GS 13 1811 Special Ageng of the NCIS. I was exposed to burn pits in Iraq and Kuwait. In 2012 I was diagnosed with cancer of the neck, throat and lymph nodes. I am currently in remission but still suffer the long term effects of my extensive radiation and chemotherapy. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
I was a contractor in Iraq from 2006 to 2007 as a Police Advisor for Dyncorp. My first assignment was in Sulimanayah and our camp was about 2000 meters down wind from a large chicken farm. On a daily basis we were exposed to the airborne stuff being blown our way from the chicken farm.
I later went to Camp Liberty/Victory in Baghdad and was living in the containers directly behind (across the road) from the camp’s burn pits.
Since that time I have been treated for and had polyps removed from my throat, have a constant running nose, nasal congestion, and after talking for several short minutes start to loose my voice, get dry throat, and a burning sensation. The throat dryness and burning affects my daily work activities when I have to talk for any periods of time.
Is there any recourse that I have under DBA?
Good morning, I did inspection of the burn pits for KBR while working as a contractor, I now required to wear a CPAP at night but I am unable to tolerate the CPAP so I am getting maybe 3-4 hour of rest a day.