Members of industry have banded together to help in the recovery efforts of Willie “Creasy Bear” Meyers. Over his long career, Willie Meyers has worked as a Flight Medic, SWAT Medic, and Paramedic, for the State Department Security Contract in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently as a medic in Israel.
Recently, Willie was severely injured while working in Israel on the US Embassy Security Detail as a Security Contractor, which has left him with a central core spinal contusion, two crushed vertebrae, a broken neck, and a torn rotator cuff.
Willie is currently undergoing treatment at Shepard Spinal Rehab Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where he is making steady progress towards his recovery. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Willie and his family with his medical expenses, and a Facebook fan page has been set up in support of Willie and his efforts. We here at SSD wish Willie an expedient recovery and thank him for all his many years of service.
You can contribute to Willie’s GoFundMe page here: www.gofundme.com/creasybear
You can check out Willie’s Facebook fan page here: www.facebook.com/pages/Willie-Creasy-Bear-Myers/1492581537690930
Additionally, those wishing to send Willie a card or care package can mail it to the following address:
Willie Meyers
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Rd. NW
Atlanta, Ga. 80309
Tags: Willie Meyers
Am I the only person who finds it disturbing that a guy working for a contractor on a .gov contract is left holding the bag because the insurer “found a loophole”? I would like to know which contractor and which insurer. Is there a lesson to be learned here on how to protect against this loophole?
Its a travesty and a crime… and unfortunately, its not an isolated case. It happens quite a bit. It happened to me… I got some mysterious infection in Kabul while on the same contract as Willie, and ended up having my appendix and part of my intestines removed. The same insurance company denied me coverage while I was home recovering, saying it was a “routine illness” that didn’t warrant coverage.
Contractors are unsung heroes in the war on terror, yet they are treated like expendable line items.
James, My name is Tonya Willie’s wife. On behalf of myself and our children I would like to thank you for what you’re doing to help my husband. This has been a very difficult and stressful time on him as well this is family.
God bless
Not sure if this fits for Israel but in Iraq contractors had DBA, which required PSC’s to provide coverage.
There are also no details of how he was injured. The injuries sustained are more consistent with a fall or vehicle accident than military action and that may have something to do with the lack of cover.
i worked with Willie in Kabul. I got injured, non combat related and DBA covered the injury. There are instances, such as the one Casey stated where DBA refuses to pay. I nearly died having contracted an unknown virus while up in Herat Afghanistan. I was Medevac to Kabul and then to Dubai. I went through hell for several months threatening to sue in order to get DBA to cover the expenses. Our govt can give a shit about contractors.
DBA covers any injury or sickness inside the “zone of special danger.” This means combat related, MVA, while walking to the bathroom, or during MWR and PT. The ISSUE is the way the law is written that gives the contract company and insurance company complete immunity from any legal recourse. They don’t need to uphold their end of the agreement but the employee has no way to uphold the action. The only recourse is going through an ALJ that will hear the case. The insurance companies know this is a two year ordeal and in the meantime the employee will lose their houses, savings, everything they own, and many times their families. In turn, many require filing bankruptcy and then lose their ability to obtain a future clearance.
I’ve been denied DBA benefits and medical coverage for almost 2 years. I know of other guys that have been denied for almost 4 years. All the while, attempting to go through the legal process the proper way and the insurance companies just refuse any assistance. Even once it goes to the ALJ, the only award he can issue is to reimburse the backpay and reinstate medical and pay benefits. Not a bad gamble for the insurance companies.
Creasy is a good guy that needs all of our support. Everyones Congressmen should be alerted to Creasy’s issue and demand action so he can continue with the care he is receiving!!!