KBR at fault in electrocutions of soldiers according to IG report

UPDATE to KBR

Claims against contractor dismissed in soldier's death
Story Highlights
Sgt. Christopher Everett died using a power washer at U.S. base in western Iraq

Judges in Texas, Florida drop military contractor KBR from family's lawsuits

KBR's electrical work in Iraq, Afghanistan has come under criticism from Congress

Pentagon report criticizes Houston-based contractor in death of another soldier

From Abbie Boudreau and Scott Bronstein
CNN Special Investigations Unit
(CNN) -- Judges in Texas and Florida have dropped military contractor KBR from lawsuits brought by the family of a soldier who was electrocuted in Iraq, the company announced Tuesday.


Sgt. Christopher Everett was electrocuted in 2005 at an American base outside Ramadi, in western Iraq.

Sgt. Christopher Everett died while using a power washer at an American base outside Ramadi, in western Iraq. His was one of nine electrocution deaths in Iraq blamed on "improper grounding or faulty equipment," according to a Pentagon inspector-general's report released Monday.

KBR was one of the contractors Everett's family has sued in connection with his death. But federal courts in Louisiana and Texas have thrown out the family's claims against the Houston, Texas-based company, KBR announced Tuesday.

"The dismissal orders affirm that despite repeated criticism and statements made by several public officials on Capitol Hill and related media reports, KBR had no involvement in the factors that led to the tragic death of Sergeant Everett," Andrew D. Farley, the company's senior vice president and general counsel, said in a written statement.

KBR's work in Iraq and Afghanistan has come under extensive criticism from members of Congress. The company has defended its performance and argued that it was not to blame for any fatalities.
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Claims against contractor dismissed in soldiers death

IG: Military, KBR at fault in electrocution

By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jul 27, 2009 13:28:10 EDT

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department’s Inspector General has determined that military leaders and a military contractor failed to protect a Green Beret who was electrocuted while showering in his barracks in Iraq.

The 2008 death of 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth has triggered investigations into the other electrocution deaths of U.S. troops and the review by the Defense Department’s IG.

The inspector general says that “multiple systems and organizations” failed and exposed Maseth to “unacceptable risk.” That’s according to a summary of the IG’s findings obtained by The Associated Press.

It specifically spells out that KBR Inc. installed improperly grounded equipment that faulted and led to Maseth’s death.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/07/ap_electrocutions_iraq_072709w/