Although we refer to the injured as our “troops,” or “military personnel,” these individuals made a commitment to serve and protect America and are Americans who will return from Iran with injuries that could potentially last a lifetime. Lt. Colonel Staci Coleman, commander of the 443 Air Expeditionary Squadron stationed at the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq recalls the ballistic missile strike that occurred over a year ago. Coleman has a deep faith, stating she forced herself to refocus her attention on what she needed to do, turning over the outcome to a higher power.  

Service members stationed at Al-Asad and Erbil had only hours to react to the incoming barrage of the Iranian ballistic missiles launched in the early morning hours. Thankfully, no service members were killed in the attack, but the traumatic brain injuries have been brutal. After receiving word that Iran was planning to attack the Al-Asad airbase located in Iraq (Anbar province), Coleman says she spent a few moments attempting to wrap her mind around the “reality of the situation.”

Coleman quickly evacuated about half of the 160 people under her command, keeping the remainder on site to secure the airfield. At the time, Coleman says, she honestly didn’t think any of them—or herself—would survive the Iranian attack. Flight commanders had quickly compiled a list of the personnel they believed were “emotionally equipped,” to endure a potential missile strike.

Coleman was well aware she was gambling with the lives of others because of something she had no control over. The remaining service members packed a bunker with essential supplies. Coleman herself made a final phone call to her family members to tell them she loved them. Coleman vividly recalls when the first missile waves hit. The ground shook with “a force impossible to put into words,” and the blast waves could be felt “throughout your entire body.” Coleman noted.

Coleman said the waves came, one after another after another. Poor radio signals inside the bunker prohibited communication with other service members. Coleman says she remembers the moment when she let herself believe her unit would survive the strike so long as the bunker did not take a direct hit.

Coleman was primarily worried about Air Force security force troops outside the bunker and airfield operations flight members who were in a separate bunker. Coleman is thankful there were no deaths during the Iranian ballistic missile attack but recognizes the serious nature of the resulting brain injuries suffered by U.S. troops.

How an Iranian Ballistic Missile Attack Injury Attorney Can Help - It is difficult for most of us to understand these acts of terrorism our troops are forced to endure. We hear little about the attacks on the news, and it can all seem complex and incomprehensible. The anti-terrorism lawsuits can potentially reach far beyond government claims, however, there may be solid liability under the United States Anti-Terrorism Act. Those injured while in Iraq could potentially be entitled to seek compensatory damages, including economic losses, punitive damages, physical injury damages, extreme mental anguish, and pain and suffering. An Iranian ballistic missile attack injury lawyer from Sullo & Sullo can help those injured in the ballistic missile attack determine whether they can seek compensatory damages—and potentially three times the amount of compensatory damages.

It is definitely in your best interests to speak to an experienced anti-terrorism attorney who can offer you a free claim review, helping you determine whether you should consider filing an anti-terrorism lawsuit for injuries you sustained during the Iranian ballistic missile attack that occurred in January 2020. Perhaps you have a valid Iranian theater ballistic missile case due to Iranian ballistic missile-related traumatic brain injury.

Individuals suffered an Iranian Fateh-313 ballistic missile attack that was responsible for more than 100 service member injuries, the vast majority of which were related to brain injuries. Those brain injuries, in turn, cause significant, perhaps long-term damage that could potentially alter the lives of the service members forever.

In times of both peace and war, traumatic brain injuries can impact service members and veterans. The high rate of traumatic brain injuries and blast-related concussion events that arise from current combat operations not only impacts the health and safety of individual service members, but also impacts the level of troop retention and the readiness of any given unit. The impacts of traumatic brain injuries are deeply felt within each branch of the military.

Contact an experienced Sullo & Sullo Iranian ballistic missile attack injury attorney to have all your questions regarding your ballistic missile TBI injuries answered. We believe you deserve a strong advocate in your corner and want to help you through this difficult time, ensuring you receive the current and long-term medical attention you need and deserve. Contact Sullo & Sullo today.