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By Mike Francis, The Oregonian The federal judge hearing the case brought by 34 Oregon National Guard soldiers against military contractor KBR Inc., has ruled that an expert opinion produced by the soldiers can be used in the trial, currently scheduled for June. But Magistrate Judge Paul Papak said the amended expert report produced by […]
U.S. relies heavily on civilians, with even more in Afghanistan By Lindsay Wise | Houston Chronicle The final convoy of U.S. troops in Iraq — soldiers from Fort Hood — drove over the border to Kuwait last week, whooping and cheering, as the United States declared an end to the war. But remaining behind […]
New defense bill requires military to tell Congress when granting immunity to contractors By Mike Francis, The Oregonian The Oregonian KBR Inc. enjoyed government-guaranteed immunity from claims that might be brought by anyone claiming the contractor’s actions in Iraq caused injury or death, according to a newly declassified 2003 military contract. But under the terms […]
KBR, Oregon soldiers back in federal court over medical claims Friday By Mike Francis, The Oregonian The Oregonian Lawyers for military contractor KBR Inc. will ask a federal judge in Portland Friday to rule against a group of 34 Oregon Guard soldiers who say the contractor knowingly exposed them to a carcinogenic compound in Iraq […]
Mike Francis, The Oregonian Even if most Oregonians weren’t paying attention, the war in Iraq touched the state in many ways. The eight-plus years of military occupation were marked by courage, tedium, good deeds, sacrifice and sorrow. The Oregon National Guard sent about 5,300 people to Iraq, with many of them deploying more than […]
Julie Sullivan, The Oregonian Oregonians on Wednesday successfully amended the House Defense Authorization bill to spotlight who pays when a defense contractor causes harm. The amendment requires the Pentagon to report when it enters or changes immunity agreements with contractors. It is the latest strategy by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Kurt Schrader to boost […]
Julie Sullivan, The Oregonian On Tuesday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied KBR’s request for an unusual early review that could have stalled or stopped the veterans’ lawsuit against it. Thirty six Oregon vets allege they were exposed to a cancer-causing chemical while guarding KBR and Halliburton operations early in the Iraq war and […]
By: Elena Schor of Greenwire Several high-profile military contractors pushed for and won legal indemnity from the Pentagon before starting projects that involved exposure to chemical weapons and other highly hazardous substances, according to documents released yesterday by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). Overall, more than 120 Pentagon contracts include indemnity language that could shift liability […]
Julie Sullivan, The Oregonian The Pentagon legally covers dozens of military contractors doing dangerous jobs at home, such as making anthrax vaccine or disposing of mustard gas. But the immunity for harm granted KBR in Iraq appears to be far broader — and potentially costlier to taxpayers — according to documents released by U.S. Rep. […]
The minutes of an Oct. 2, 2003 meeting about blood and urine tests from workers at the Qarmat Ali plant contradicts KBR’s long-standing claims that there was no medical evidence of harm.
