Contractors sued over Iraq burn pits

[unhappycamper]

Contractors sued over Iraq burn pits
Brett Barrouquere - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 10, 2009 17:29:17 EST

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — An Air Force veteran and a one-time contractor who served in Iraq are suing military contractors Halliburton Co. and KBR Inc., accusing the companies of exposing them to toxic fumes by burning everything from human remains to tires in massive open-air pits.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Louisville on Monday by former Air Force Sgt. Sean Alexander Stough and ex-contractor Charles Hicks.

“The burn pits are still going on,” said attorney Susan Burke, who represents the men.

The suit names Houston-based companies KBR and Halliburton, as well as the Turkish company ERKA Ltd. The lawsuit is the latest on behalf of former military members and contract workers who claim they were exposed to toxins from burning waste in the warzone. At least 32 suits over burn pits have been filed in 32 states.

The suits have been merged for pretrial proceedings under U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus in Greenbelt, Maryland. Burke expects the Kentucky suit to be transferred there as well.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/111009_ap_burnpitsw/