The law firm of Barnett, Lerner, Karsen & Frankel, P.A. has a time-honored dedication to the local community, and the attorneys take this responsibility seriously. They believe this commitment to civic activities are both a privilege and an obligation, and consequently, the partners avidly serve in various outreach efforts, and they encourage their staff to do so as well. Giving …
A New Look at Long Term Burn Pit Injuries
Thousands of returning veterans struggle with respiratory problems, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and doctors increasingly believe that burn pits may be the culprit. Just as researchers began to understand the issue, Congress abruptly cut off the funding in this area. For a number of years, burn pits were common not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, but …
The Neurobiology Of PTSD Treatment
Researchers theorize that the “flashbacks” commonly associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder occur at an accelerated rate inside a victim’s brain, thus trapping the person in a near-continual loop that graphically re-presents the traumatic event. Canadian doctors used magnetoencephalography (MEP) to compare the brain activity in four groups – traumatized soldiers, non-traumatized soldiers, brain-injured civilians, and healthy civilians – when …
March 2016 Newsletter
A Brief Defense Base Act Benefits Summary As we look forward to another year, we wanted to provide our clients a quick summary of the Defense Base Act and the benefits available under the Act if they are injured. Like many of our other newsletters, we use examples in this summary that are only meant to show how claims and …
The Need for Honest Assessment of PTSD in Military Contractors
Private military contractors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at up to twice the rate of regular military personnel, according to a RAND Corporation study. Moreover, many of these individuals are not getting the treatment they need and deserve. The study, which was conducted in 2012, also found that the number of deployed military contractors often …
Continuing Dangers: Overseas Contractors Kidnapped in Iraq
Four foreign contractors – three Americans and an Iraqi translator – were kidnapped on the south side of Baghdad, according to Iraqi security sources. The U.S. State Department confirmed the abduction of “several” contractors and insisted that in-country officials were “working with the full co-operation of the Iraqi authorities to locate and recover the individuals.” Until recently, the Iraqi capital …
Burn Pit Dangers Continue in Iraq
Even though such operations often expose workers to toxic smoke and fumes and cause serious illness, the DoD still uses burn pits for most waste disposal. In the early 2000s, when operations began in Afghanistan and Iraq, unregulated burn pits dotted the area and worker complaints about health conditions were summarily dismissed. The landscape changed in 2009, when in response …
February 2016 Newsletter
Welcome to the DBA Newsletter, prepared by Barnett, Lerner, Karsen & Frankel, P.A. We hope this will help you learn more about the Defense Base Act and your legal rights. Community Involvement The firm continues to invest in the local and legal community. Liza E. Lima, Esq. recently joined the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (“WISTA”). WISTA is an …
Are Biodegradable Devices the Future of Brain Injury Monitoring?
Head injuries are notoriously difficult to detect and treat, but a new diagnostic tactic is now being tested in laboratory animals by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Washington University in St. Louis. Current brain injury monitoring techniques rely on cumbersome electrodes and wires that can only be used in controlled conditions, or on risky implants that …
New Technology May Help in Memory Return for TBI Victims
New innovative technological tools are being developed to help those who are having trouble recalling, forming and retrieving memories due to traumatic brain injury. Many of these tools are being developed specifically with military veterans and contractors in mind to help build understanding of the unique brain injuries that can arise from overseas work. Recent reports suggest that those suffering …
Advanced Neuroimaging Proving Significant for Civilian Contractors Injured Overseas
Military contractors suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) face a significant uphill battle in their recovery. Obviously, those affected and their families closely watch for medical advances in TBI diagnosis and treatment. One recent advance involves new and innovative neuroimaging that is proving to be effective for military veterans and defense contractors who have suffered traumatic brain injuries while working …
Renewed Push to Research, Evaluate, and Understand TBI in Military Zones
There is increasing attention being focused on the long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Many specialized organizations are sprouting up to advocate for continued research and development involving TBI. One of the most notable organizations focusing on overseas injuries is the Veteran’s Health Initiative (VHI) which has the primary goal of furthering traumatic brain injury awareness advocacy, research, and …