War, red tape haunt civilian workers...

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An analysis finds a pattern of blocked claims for psychological injuries sustained by contract employees in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer
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Lesson Learned?

I read this story and was amazed that how we are re-living Vietnam all over again.
Did we not know that PTSD was going to be part of the major medical claims brought on by contractors who were going into a war zone for work. After Vietnam I just don't see how this was not part of the CORPORATIONS In-house Employee Assistance Programs for contractors going to Iraq.

AIG uses Pharmacological doctors to Evalute PTSD in contractors!

In fighting claims, the insurance companies have relied on doctors with questionable expertise, according to court records and claimants' attorneys.

In one case, an insurance company psychiatrist who specialized in pharmacological research broadly dismissed psychology as "baloney." In another, a psychologist hired by insurance giant American International Group, or AIG, for his supposed expertise in PTSD had seen only 10 to 15 cases in a decade of practice.

The companies have disputed some cases in which their own doctors determined that workers were suffering psychological damage, court records show.

"Two psychologists diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder. As a veteran, Thompson was able to see doctors at the local VA hospital, who also diagnosed him as suffering from PTSD."

"But a doctor hired at($250.00 an hour) by AIG found otherwise. At a hearing in February, the doctor, John Griffith, said one diagnostic exam showed that Thompson was exaggerating his symptoms. He said Thompson did not suffer from PTSD."

The same doctor (Dr.Griffith)making $250 an hour, who's career was in pharmacological research that told the courts that, "a lot" of psychology was "baloney."

UPDATE-Thursday, Jun. 14, 2007
(Overwhelmed by the number of soldiers returning from war with mental problems, the Army is planning to hire at least 25% more psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.)



I sure would love to know who is FAKING or which is really BALONEY?

WHO'S LOOKING OUT For THE CONTRACTORS?

Where is OSHA or for that fact...THE UNION? I know in America this would never be allowed, OSHA would have shut the war down by now and the Union would have went on strike!

Is there anyone out there trying to help these Contractors when INJURED?
Who walks them through the DBA Process?
Do they know the DBA EVEN exsist?
Do they or their families know where or how to file a LS203?
Did you know there is a statue of Limations on filing?

Do contractors have to file a claim to be accounted for with the DOL (Department of Labor)
Again one must ask how many contractors have NOT been counted, those who have not filed a claim due to the KBR waiver??? Sign the waiver and get your medal?
***Excerpt from the KBR release waiver:
Paragraph 9. Release: I agree that in consideration for the application for a Defense of Freedom Medal on my behalf that on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns and successors, I hereby release, acquit and discharge and do hereby release, acquit and discharge KBR, all KBR employees, the Military and any of their representatives (in both their official and individual capacities), collectively and individually, with respect to and from any and all claims and any and all causes of action, of any kind of character, whether now known or unknown, I may have against any of them which exist as of the date of this authorization and all claims or causes of action arising from or related to this authorization or the use or disclosure of the information or Protected Information described in section 1 above by any of the aforementioned parties. This release also applies to any claims brought by any person or agency or class action under which I may have a right or benefit.

I guess my question would be, "how many Defense of Freedom Medals have been giving out to injured contractors?"
Have these contractors been counted and did they file?


Click the link below to go and read the court cases filed by contractors
http://www.oalj.dol.gov/ for KBR employee contractors you must type in Service Employers to find the case, as the department of Texas Workers Comp state that KBR is no more then a head hunter for SEII who is a foreign entity located in the Cayman Islands. And you can do this with any company.