The tragic case of Kayla Mueller, the American aid worker kidnapped by ISIS and repeatedly sexually assaulted by its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, highlights the dangers facing overseas aid and relief workers. Sadly, reporting by the UK Guardian demonstrates that Mueller’s case, though shocking in its extremity, is hardly unique. While the true extent of the problem is hard to …
U.S. Law Provides for Compensation to Persons Contracted by the United States to Provide Relief Work Abroad
The country of Nepal was devastated by earthquakes on April 25 and May 12 of this year. Over 8,000 people were killed and over 14,000 injured. More than 530,000 buildings destroyed. The U.S. Government has provided aid and assistance equaling almost $47,000,000 in aid as of May 19. In any major relief effort, however, more than dollars flow across borders: …
Contractors in a Conflict Zone: The Defense Base Act
The rise of ISIS in Iraq has prompted renewed U.S. involvement in military operations there, including the deployment of limited numbers of American troops. The deployment of personnel to such a volatile and dangerous locale as Iraq is likely to produce injuries and, unfortunately, casualties. Naturally, we think in terms of military personnel when considering such dangers. But soldiers, saliors, …
Defense Base Act – What Is It? Does It Matter to You?
To View On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXzhrHBG_dA Upon hearing the words “Defense Base Act” you might assume that it applies to those in the military or working on national defense. In reality, it affects many people doing all kinds of work–including you. The Defense Base Act is a tool to protects civilian contractors working throughout the world pursuant to U.S. government contracts. …
DBA Newsletter – September 2015
What is a Stipulation? By Samuel Frankel, Esq. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and its extensions, such as the Defense Base Act and the Non-Appropriated Funds Instrumentalities Act, are the federal version of workers’ compensation. As a workers’ compensation law, these Acts require Employers and their insurance Carriers to provide medical and lost wage benefits to covered employees …