» George Lundy vs KBR – class action

David Isenberg: Supporting the Troops: Making Them Sick

February 21, 2010 — Ms Sparky

David Isenberg – Huffington Post
Author, Shadow Force: Private Security Contractors in Iraq (Praeger Security International)
Posted: February 21, 2010 03:08 PM

The biggest portion of U.S. private military contractors has always been, by far, on the logistics, not the weapons bearing security side.

These contractors deliver fuel and supplies, construct bases, prepare meals at the DFAC (Dining Facility), clean laundry, provide interpreters, and a host of other unglamorous but vital jobs.

Most of the time they do it very well, under very difficult conditions. Many of their supporters herald this as an unprecedented achievement in American military history. Such a view has long been the sound bite for which Doug Brooks, head of the International Peace Operations Association, a leading industry trade group, is best known for, i.e., “We have the best supported, supplied military in any military operation in history.” Indeed, if you search online for Doug Brooks and that phrase you get 1,400,000 hits.

That is why this article in the Los Angeles Times earlier this week grabbed my attention. It described how numerous returning veterans have reported leukemia, lymphoma, congestive heart problems, neurological conditions, bronchitis, skin rashes and sleep disorders — all of which they attribute to burn pits on dozens of U.S. bases in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Items burned in the pits have included medical waste, plastics, computer parts, oil, lubricants, paint, tires and foam cups, according to soldiers and contractors. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Full list of “Burn Pit” lawsuits against KBR (updated 02/08/2010)

February 8, 2010 — Ms Sparky

It’s been difficult keeping up with all the Burn Pit Lawsuits filed against KBR by the Law Firms of Burke LLC and Motley Rice LLC. There have been 43 lawsuits filed in 42 states (2 in Texas). I decided to publish them all in one post for easy reference and plan to keep this list updated as I find out about new cases. I will still post article about individual cases and you can find that in the Burn Pits Category. Be sure to check the Burn Pit Lawsuit site for even more information.

If you have Burn Pit photos, stories or need more information click HERE or contact the Law Office of Burke LLC.

Below is the current list of suits which includes plaintiff name, case #, State and District. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Pentagon promises study on burn pits

December 26, 2009 — Ms Sparky

By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes – Mideast edition
Saturday, December 26, 2009

WASHINGTON — Military health officials who have steadfastly denied that burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan cause serious health problems will launch a massive study next year to see if they’re wrong.

Officially, the Pentagon still says the toxic smoke from the pits is not to blame for the fatal cancers and respiratory illnesses suffered by some troops upon returning from the war zones. But Dr. Craig Postlewaite, director of the Defense Department’s Force Health Protection programs, said that researchers “are keeping the door open” on the issue.

“When we look at the health outcome data of those exposed [to the burn pits] we’re not seeing a great increase in respiratory illnesses,” he said in an interview with Stars and Stripes this week. “But we’ve become aware in the last several months that there have been a handful of conditions diagnosed by military physicians where they’ve indicated there could be an inhalational exposure cause.” (Read the rest of the story here…)

Burn pit data worthless, expert says

December 19, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Burn pit at Abu Ghraib

By Kelly Kennedy – Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 18, 2009 17:27:31 EST

The airman who first raised health concerns over burn pits at Joint Base Balad in Iraq says the Defense Department data — which officials used to say the burn pits cause no known long-term health effects — is worthless.

And Air Force Lt. Col Darrin Curtis, a bioenvironmental flight commander who retired in November, is the one who created the plan to collect the air specimens near the plume.

“You could only sample so much,” he said Friday. “I think it’s more than difficult; it’s impossible. It would cost as much to bring in incinerators as it would to do an adequate study.”

When they set up the sampling equipment, he said the smoke flew up in a 90-degree plume away from the air collectors. The equipment instead collected much cleaner air. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Military: Burn pits could cause long-term damage to troops

December 19, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Smoke from Balad burn pits behind hanger

By Adam Levine, CNN Pentagon Producer
December 18, 2009 8:36 a.m. EST

Washington (CNN) — The military is backing off its previous position and acknowledging that some troops exposed to the burning of refuse on military bases could be susceptible to long-term health effects.

Since the issue first arose two years ago, Pentagon health officials have insisted that, based on its analysis, troops who were near burn pits at Joint Base Balad in Iraq — the largest base in that country — faced no long-term health hazards. That covered most of the troops who passed through the base. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing held on Burn Pits Nov 6 (Video link)

November 6, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Senate DPC

Today, Senator Dorgan (D-ND) chaired the Senate Democratic Policy Committee’s 21st hearing into contractor fraud, waste and abuse entitled:

Are Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan Making Our Soldiers Sick?

Committee Members

Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman

Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)

Witnesses

Lt. Col. Darrin Curtis
Former Bioenvironmental Engineer, U.S. Air Force

Rick Lamberth
Former KBR Employee

L. Russell Keith
Former KBR Medic

Anthony Szema, M.D
Chief of the Allergy Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York

Click HERE to watch entire unedited video, read witness testimony and Senator Dorgan’s opening statements

I just love the way Senator Dorgan and the Senate Democratic Policy Committee does not back down and keeps nipping at the heels of fraud, waste and abuse that is Defense Department contracting!

Ms Sparky

Class Action suit filed for KBR Burn Pit injuries George Lundy vs KBR

November 6, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Iraq Burn Pit-Courtesy of www.MsSparky.com

BOISE (CN) – KBR and Halliburton poisoned U.S. troops and civilian contractors by burning an immense variety of toxic, unsorted wastes in Iraq and Afghanistan to cut costs and preserve profits, according to a federal class action. The class claims at least 100,000 people were endangered by the contractors’ “utter indifference to and conscious disregard” of troops’ welfare.
The class claims the Pentagon contractors, “motivated by financial gain,” ignored contract requirements minimize risks, environmental effects and human exposure to toxic fumes when disposing of waste. Instead, the contractors cut corners and burned huge amounts of waste in open pits; fire and smoke rose hundreds of feet into the air, emitting toxic gases and carcinogens. (Read the rest of the story here…)

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