During my tenure as a Security Contractor throughout the Middle East, I have known several guys that were injured on the job including myself. I, like the rest of my counterparts, knew very little about DBA and none of us were briefed on the “Right” way concerning DBA or how to deal with the Insurance Company or the Case Worker. That was during the initial phase of the Iraq War when the only people who dealt with the Defense Base Act were the widows of fallen contractors. I learned the hard way just like most of my former teammates. After I went through rehabilitation, I took some time off then went back to work in Afghanistan. A little more than six years later I was injured again during another convoy. This time around I had the knowledge to deal with the DBA. Before I was shipped home for treatment I was able to do some research on DBA Attorneys. After researching several lawyers I found Tim Nies. Not only was he well versed with the Defense Base Act, he’s a fellow Veteran and an Army Ranger (enlisted) from the 75th, 3rd Battalion. Tim took care of me from day one! My case was more complex than your average DBA case because my injury was almost identical to the one I sustained in Iraq, so naturally the insurance company tried to fight me on it. Tim’s civilian counterparts, the non-veteran types, advised him not to go forward with my case because of the complexity but Tim is a soldier that just happens to have a law degree, not a lawyer that joined the Army for college money, so naturally Tim took my case.
My case lasted for 26 months and during that time the insurance company tried to stop my medical treatment and they successfully suspended my bi-weekly DBA checks in order to persuade me into accepting their ridiculous settlement amount. On my behalf, Tim rejected their settlement amount, quickly attained an appointment with a Dept of Labor Judge and successfully contested my unfair treatment concerning the suspension of my bi-weekly compensation payments. I was awarded back payments from the date the insurance company suspended my payments. In short, Tim saved me from foreclosure. Shortly thereafter, Tim entered into settlement negotiations on my behalf. Because of Tim and his previous experience with DBA, he displayed personal fortitude and a soldier’s constitution that clearly relayed the Warrior’s Motto, “Leave No Man Behind”. The insurance company quickly realized they were fighting a losing battle and agreed to the settlement terms Tim put before them. At no time during my case did Tim act like a typical lawyer. He always displayed character and acted like a true “Ranger”. He always had my six covered. Not only is Tim a damn fine attorney, he’s a great soldier and a good friend.