Legal Disclaimer

This website is provided for informational and intake purposes only. Information on this website is general in nature and is not tailored to your specific circumstances.

USS Cole Veterans Outreach is not a law firm. This website is organized by a veteran, also referred to as the lead plaintiff/organizer, to build a roster of potential claimants.

We do not provide legal services or legal representation.

Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice. Information provided is educational and general in nature.

You should not rely on information from this website to make legal decisions or determine your legal rights.

For legal advice specific to your situation, you must consult directly with a qualified attorney.

Using this website does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone.

You are not represented by an attorney unless you have signed a written representation agreement with a specific law firm.

Submitting your information to this website does NOT mean you will qualify for compensation.

Eligibility for USVSST and related programs depends on many factors, including:

• Whether you have a final civil judgment against a state sponsor of terrorism

• Your specific role in or connection to the incident

• Documentation of injury or death

• Compliance with filing deadlines

• Government agency determinations

• Applicable law and regulations

Many veterans and family members may not qualify, even if they were affected by the incident.

Submitting your information does NOT guarantee that you will receive compensation or payment.

Even if you qualify, compensation is not assured.

Submitting your information does NOT guarantee that legal counsel will represent you.

Legal counsel will evaluate claims individually and may decline representation for various reasons.

If legal counsel pursues litigation on behalf of the group, litigation outcomes are uncertain.

Litigation may fail, resulting in no compensation.

Even if litigation succeeds, enforcement and payment can take years.

The U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, also known as USVSST, has significant limitations:

• The fund has limited resources relative to total judgments awarded against state sponsors of terrorism

• The fund has paid less than 5% of total damages ordered against Iran as of May 2026

• Payment timelines are uncertain and may take a decade or longer

• The fund may exhaust available resources before all claims are paid

• Payment amounts may be reduced or delayed due to fund limitations

Even if you qualify for USVSST, you may not receive full compensation, or you may wait many years to receive payment.

To qualify for USVSST compensation, you typically must have:

• A final civil judgment against Iran, Sudan, or another state sponsor of terrorism

• Documented injury or death resulting from the attack

• A valid USVSST claim filed before applicable deadlines

If you do not have a judgment, you may need to pursue Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, also known as FSIA, litigation first.

If you must pursue FSIA litigation to obtain a judgment:

• FSIA litigation is complex and uncertain

• Litigation can take years to resolve

• You may not obtain a judgment

• Even if you obtain a judgment, enforcement and collection are uncertain

• The defendant state may not have assets available for collection

• Government policy changes may affect your ability to collect

The June 1, 2026 deadline applies to certain USVSST claims.

However:

• This deadline may NOT apply to your specific claim, depending on your incident type, judgment status, and other factors

• Different incidents and claim types have different deadlines

• Missing a deadline could bar your claim permanently

• You are responsible for understanding deadlines that apply to your case

Consult an attorney about deadlines in your specific situation.

This website addresses claims related to state-sponsored terrorism incidents, including:

• USS Cole attack, October 12, 2000, Yemen

• Khobar Towers bombing, June 25, 1996, Saudi Arabia

• U.S. Embassy bombings, August 7, 1998, Kenya and Tanzania

• USS Stark attack, May 17, 1987, Persian Gulf

• Pan Am Flight 103 bombing, December 21, 1988, Scotland

• Beirut Barracks bombing, October 23, 1983, Lebanon

• Other qualifying incidents involving state-sponsored terrorism

Eligibility and deadlines vary by incident. Consult an attorney about your specific incident.

While we strive to provide accurate information, laws and policies change frequently.

Information on this website may become outdated. Information provided is not guaranteed to be current or accurate.

Always verify current information with official sources before making legal decisions.

This website may reference or link to third-party websites and resources, including:

• USVSST.com, the official USVSST Fund website

• Government websites

• Court websites

• Legal resources

We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of third-party information.

You should verify information through official sources.

This website is NOT operated by, sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with:

• The United States government

• The U.S. Navy

• The Department of Defense

• The USVSST Fund

• Any government agency

• Any court

• Any law firm, unless a specific law firm has joined the group and signed a representation agreement

References to government agencies, funds, programs, courts, statutes, or military incidents are for informational purposes only and do not imply government affiliation or endorsement.

This website is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied.

We disclaim all warranties, including:

• Warranties of merchantability

• Warranties of fitness for a particular purpose

• Warranties of accuracy or completeness

• Warranties of non-infringement

• Warranties of title

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for:

• Incorrect information or guidance

• Missed deadlines or legal requirements

• Adverse outcomes in litigation or government proceedings

• Technical failures or data loss

• Security breaches or unauthorized access

• Actions taken based on information from this website

• Any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages

This disclaimer is provided for informational purposes.

You should consult with a qualified attorney to understand your specific legal rights, options, and deadlines.