KBR verdict: $85 million awarded to 12 Oregon soldiers; KBR guilty of negligence, not fraud | OregonLive.com

other-stuff:

In a potentially precedent-setting verdict, a Portland jury found defense contractor KBR Inc. was negligent, but did not commit fraud against a dozen Oregon Army National Guard soldiers who sued the company for its conduct in Iraq nine years ago. Magistrate Judge Paul Papak announced the decision about 3:35 p.m. the U.S. Courthouse in Portland. Each soldier was awarded $850,000 in non-economic damages and $6.25 million in punitive damages.

“It’s a little bit of justice,” said Guard veteran Jason Arnold, moments after the verdict was announced Friday afternoon. Arnold was one of four of the soldier-plaintiffs in the courtroom was the verdict was read.

The verdict should send an important message to those who rely on military troops, he said. “We’re not disposable,” said another soldier, Aaron St. Clair. “People are not going to make money from our blood.”

KBR’s lead attorney, Geoffrey Harrison, said the company will appeal.

KBR formerly a subsidiary of Halliburton, headquartered in Houston

What with the appeal, I guess this won’t be over for a long time, but it is a good first step. From the news report I heard before the jury came in, it sounds like the military officials didn’t hold up their end of protecting the soldiers either.