• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Iraqi citizens reimbursed for losses

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 20054264390
Story by Lance Cpl. Evan M. Eagan

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 20, 2005) -- More than 200 Iraqi citizens gathered at the Fallujah Liaison Team site April 20 to file claims for damaged personal property and injuries or deaths to family members as a result of combat operations conducted by coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Every Wednesday is claims day,” said Staff Sgt. Kent Bird, disburser, II MEF Headquarters Group, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward). “We will offer them a token of our sympathy. It is not really paying them back for the damages, it is saying we’re sorry for your loss and here’s what we can do for you.”

Locals file their claims individually with the staff judge advocate. After reviewing the paperwork, the SJA makes a decision of how much money will be awarded.

Although many locals showed up to make their claim, not all of them can be helped in one day.

“We’ll see anywhere from 30 to 35 people in a day,” explained Bird, a Marissa, Ill., native. “From the 30 to 35, we’ll pay about 20 to 25 of those claims. Usually only 20 to 25 claims can be substantiated.”

In order for a claim to be substantiated, the locals must provide the SJA with the correct paperwork.

“If it’s an injury we need a document from a hospital citing the injury,” said Bird. He added, photos must be provided if a person is unable to come in and make the claim, as well as proof of damaged property. Death claims need to have a death certificate from the hospital.

Because each claim is judged individually, different amounts of money are awarded for different situations.

“The most amount of money we can give to any family is $2,500,” said Bird. “Most death claims are $2,500. Whether it’s one family member or four family members it’s still going to be $2,500. Personal injuries that will actually threaten them for the rest of their life we give from $1,000 to $1,500. All property damage is $500 and below, whether it be a vehicle or a house.”

In addition to filing claims for combat-related incidents, citizens may also file claims for damages incurred from non-combat activities.

“We have [claims] which the judge pays out called foreign claims,” Bird. “Those are non-battle damage related. If we have a convoy going through town and they accidentally hit a car, we will pay the total value of that vehicle.”

Although civilians are often injured or killed in combat operations, Marines like Capt. Richard Belliss, operational lawyer, staff judge advocate, 2nd Marine Division, want to let the locals know it is not their intent.

“Our hope is when they leave here [FLT site], they have a little better opinion of American forces and they recognize civilians are accidentally injured and that it’s because we are trying to [eliminate] insurgents and terrorists, not because we’re trying to hurt innocent Iraqis,” said Belliss, an Albany, N.Y., native. “This goes toward building good will, winning hearts and minds and letting Iraqis know we care about the everyday individual Iraqi family. We can’t pay them for all their injuries, but at least we can give them something to say we’re sorry.”

EDITOR’S NOTE
For more information about this article send e-mail to cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil