IED and RPG Attacks: A Growing Worldwide Threat

In 21st-century America, the devastating truth is that being on high alert for mass shootings has become somewhat of the norm. From safety drills in schools to printed warnings in public places, awareness is at an all-time high. However, there is a lesser-known threat that is also on the rise but is rarely discussed. Every year, militant groups use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) to cause thousands of injuries and fatalities around the world.

The physical harm alone is gut-wrenching, but the fear and terror these devices invoke throughout communities is oftentimes just as disruptive. Although the fear of these devices is felt throughout the U.S., the injuries inflicted by IEDs and RPGs tend to affect service members or government contractors more than the average American.

What Are IEDs and RPGs?

The Department of Homeland Security defines an IED as a type of “homemade bomb and/or destructive device” that is used with the intent to “destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract.” Due in large part to their at-home construction, IEDs can come in a variety of forms. Whether by way of a complex device capable of a large-scale disaster or a smaller pipe bomb, all IEDs pose a serious threat to public safety as they can be concealed easily, and delivered in a vehicle or even carried by hand.

RPGs are more exclusively seen in guerilla warfare settings. They differ from IEDs in that they are typically shoulder-fired weapons that launch rockets at tanks. However, the injuries sustained from RPGs are often much more devastating as the weapon is much more powerful.

Health Effects Stemming From IEDs and RPGs

Since IEDs are typically made from ingredients that are easily accessible, the average IED can be made of anything from gunpowder fertilizer or even hydrogen peroxide. When combined, these materials can create deadly explosions. Some of the more common images sustained after incidents where IEDs and RPGs were used include the following:

• Impact Injuries: Impact injuries occur when the blast from the explosion throws an individual into the ground, a vehicle, or even a building.
• Overpressure Damage: This injury, caused by the extreme pressure of an explosion, is among the most severe. It is the leading cause of illness and death for those who survived the initial explosion. Overpressure damage typically affects the lungs, ears, abdomen, and other pressure-sensitive organs.
• Thermal Injuries: As the name suggests, thermal injuries are any sort of burn, such as burns to the face, skin, mouth, sinuses, or lungs, that an individual might sustain due to the heat of an explosion.
• Fragmentation Injuries: Similar to impact injuries, fragmentation injuries include amputations, fractures, or other traumas to the head and neck that might result from projectiles being thrown by the initial blast.
• Miscellaneous Injuries: Other injuries might include exposure to toxic substances, the aggravation of existing conditions such as asthma or heart conditions, as well as crush injuries.

Groups Most Effected By IED and RPG Attacks

Service members and government contractors are most often injured by IED and RPG attacks. However, as the number of these incidents rise, other individuals are beginning to be affected as well. If you meet any of the following criteria, you may qualify for compensation for your injuries:

• You served in Iraq from 2004-present or Afghanistan from 2006-present.
• You were involved in an attack on a specific date and have a record of that event occurring.
• You suffered an injury in the attack where the physical injury required treatment, or you have a PTSD diagnosis originating from that attack.

Call Us if You Were Harmed in an IED or RPG Attack

At Jan Dils, Attorneys At Law, we know firsthand how service-related injuries can cause lifetime consequences and seemingly endless medical bills. If you or a family member has been injured in an IED attack, contact our office today for a free consultation and let us fight for the compensation you deserve. You might have a case in the realm of civil injury law and we want to help.