Kuwait is a small, oil-rich country located at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf, bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Its wealth and strategic position have made it a focus of global attention, and in the early 1990s, it became the target of aggression when Iraq attempted to annex the country.
The United States led a coalition of 34 nations in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, successfully repelling Iraq’s invasion and restoring Kuwait’s sovereignty. Since then, the U.S. has maintained a strong military presence in the country. Today, Kuwait continues to serve as a key staging area for U.S. operations in the Middle East, including airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
U.S. Military Presence and Contractor Roles
There are currently more than 10,000 U.S. troops stationed in Kuwait, alongside approximately 5,000 civilian contractors. That number continues to grow as military operations expand.
Major installations include Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base, and Camp Buehring, all of which serve as staging hubs, training ranges, and logistical support centers. Camp Doha, located near Kuwait City, is one of the largest U.S. bases in the region. Fifty miles southwest of the capital, Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base is used for patrols and bombing missions in Iraq and houses squadrons of land- and carrier-based aircraft.
Kuwait is also a critical stockpiling location for the U.S. military, holding Hercules C-130 transports, A-10 “Warthog” attack aircraft, tanks, and other equipment. The scale of these operations creates an enormous demand for maintenance personnel and technical support. Contractors from companies such as Northrup Grumman, DynCorp, and Fluor play a vital role in meeting these needs, and their numbers are expected to rise as operations against terrorist groups intensify.
Risks and Injuries for Contractors
Wherever U.S. contractors are deployed, there is always a risk of injury. Industrial accidents, vehicle collisions, equipment malfunctions, and medical emergencies can occur at any time, regardless of geography. Working in a foreign country also carries unique challenges, from environmental hazards to the risks of being stationed in a conflict zone.
Defense Base Act Protection
Civilian contractors working overseas for U.S. government contracts are protected by the Defense Base Act (DBA), a federal workers’ compensation program. The DBA provides medical care, wage replacement, disability benefits, and death benefits for survivors.
One important feature of the DBA is the “Zone of Special Danger” doctrine, which extends coverage beyond injuries sustained directly on the job. If employment requires a worker to be in an isolated or hazardous area, injuries that occur during reasonable recreational activities may also be compensable under the Act.
However, filing a DBA claim is not always straightforward. There are strict deadlines and specific procedures that must be followed, and failure to comply can jeopardize benefits.
What To Do If You Were Injured in Kuwait
If you were injured while working in Kuwait for a U.S. contractor—or if a loved one was killed while employed there—you may be entitled to compensation under the Defense Base Act. Because of the complex rules surrounding these claims, it is critical to seek legal advice from attorneys with direct experience handling DBA cases.
At Barnett, Lerner, Karsen & Frankel, P.A., our attorneys have the knowledge and dedication to guide you through the process and pursue the benefits you and your family deserve.