Federal magistrate says Oregon veterans lawsuit against Kellogg Brown & Root can continue
By APTuesday, August 31, 2010
Oregon veterans suit against KBR can continue
PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal magistrate has ruled that a lawsuit by Oregon Army National Guard veterans against contractor Kellogg Brown & Root can continue.
U.S. District Magistrate Paul Papak denied KBR’s second motion to dismiss the suit on Monday.
In 2009, 26 Oregon Guard veterans sued KBR, saying its managers downplayed or dismissed the presence of a toxic chemical. The veterans were among hundreds of U.S. soldiers in Iraq who were potentially exposed to sodium dichromate, which contains hexavalent chromium.
The Oregon soldiers and others were protecting KBR workers at a water-treatment plant in Iraq beginning in May 2003 when they say they were exposed to the chemical.
KBR denies wrongdoing. Spokeswoman Heather Browne on Monday said the company was disappointed in the ruling.
Information from: The Oregonian, www.oregonlive.com
