While working overseas, airplane mechanic suffers injuries in flash fire — $375,000 settlement

Type of action: Defense Base Act

Injuries alleged: Burn injuries, spine and hip injuries

Name of case: Outlaw v. Omni Air International Inc.

Court: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $375,000

Attorney for plaintiff (and city): Robert B. Adams, McLean

Description of case: The claimant, who is a Virginia resident, was injured while working as an airplane mechanic in Germany for a U.S. government contractor. He sustained compensable burn injuries as a result of a flash fire that took place in an airplane on which he was working, and allegedly also sustained compensable injuries to his spine and to both hips as a result of the event.

The claim was settled following a favorable decision at the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs in Norfolk, and before an evidentiary hearing was held before an administrative law judge in Newport News.

[021-T-089]