Mike Doyle and I were in court this morning fighting off more KBR motions. The KBR defendants asked Judge Papak to prohibit us from taking discovery because–according to KBR–their motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction required no discovery. They also asked Judge Papak to prohibit discovery until… Continue Reading →
Late Friday, KBR filed its next motion to dismiss in Bixby v. KBR, Inc., 3:09 cv 00632-PK (D. Or.). Now the KBR defendants argue that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction. KBR raises the political question doctrine, sovereign immunity and the Federal Tort Claims Act, and combatant activities doctrine. I’m… Continue Reading →
This is an update on our case, Bixby v. KBR, U.S. District Court Case No. CV 09-632-PK (D. Or.). In the case, soldiers serving in the Oregon National Guard claim that KBR defendants are responsible for their exposures to hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing toxic chemical. The soldiers claim that KBR… Continue Reading →
I haven’t seen the complaint yet, but multiple media reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Justice filed a False Claims Act case against KBR, Inc. and its subcontractors over allegedly improper bills for security in Iraq. Here is the CNN report. I’m taken… Continue Reading →
Our toxic exposure case for Oregon National Guard vets exposed to sodium dichromate at the Qarmat Ali facility in Iraq continues. The case is against Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) and its various offshoots. Background: Link to NBC Nightly News story and reflections on the case here. … Continue Reading →
In Portland last week, Senator Wyden held a press conference to announce his support for expanding VA benefits for soldiers exposed to toxic chemicals in Iraq. This arguably sounds bland. It is not. Senator Wyden and Oregon National Guard Vets It’s important for a few reasons. Let’s talk first… Continue Reading →
Senator Byron Dorgan (D. N.D.) announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election. I’ve never been to North Dakota, and I had only passing awareness of Senator Dorgan until this summer. That changed as a result of my work on behalf of Oregon National… Continue Reading →
Here is a link to a video of a recent NBC Nightly News’ story on the Army National Guard soldiers’ exposures to sodium dichromate while serving in Iraq. Continue Reading →