Workplace Accidents: Cutting Corners Overseas

Ryan Maseth wanted nothing more than to serve his country and make his family proud when he was stationed in Iraq in 2007. In January of 2008 he was still trying to do his duty to country and family when he entered the showers of his barracks. He had no way to know that shoddy construction and wiring had rendered the shower a death trap.

Now, seven years later, there is finally some hope for closure for his family and the families of many others who were killed or injured while on active duty. The military contractor responsible for the barracks had appealed and appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court, trying to escape liability for their negligence. The Supreme Court listened to their side of the story, then did the right thing and allowed the lawsuits against the contractor to proceed.

Faulty wiring wasn’t the only cause of terrible tragedies at military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Issues included:

• The faulty wiring that led to the death of Ryan Maseth
• Improper disposal of hazardous wastes, creating toxic emissions
• Exposure to contaminated water
• Waste burned in open pits causing dangerous air pollution

KBR, Halliburton, and many other military contractors cut corners to boost profits, and now they want to be free of the consequences of their actions. This isn’t surprising. Many companies, and not just military contractors, don’t want to acknowledge their negligence when they cut corners. If you or someone you love has been injured on the job, whether your job is serving this country or not, please contact a lawyer. A qualified attorney was the only way that Ryan Maseth’s family could hope to see any justice served.