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North Carolina-Based Private Security Company Blackwater is Sued For Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, and War Crimes

The families of several Iraqis hurt or killed in a September shooting incident in Baghdad are suing Blackwater, the military contractor that is headquartered in North Carolina.

The lawsuit claims Blackwater engaged in war crimes, assault, wrongful death, emotional distress, and negligent hiring. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the families of five people who died in the September 16 shootings that took place around Baghdad?s Nusoor Square and two others who were injured in the attack.

The lawsuit claims that Blackwater guards used excessive force during the shootings and that the guards involved left a secure area and fired at their victims ?without provocation.? Blackwater, however, disputes this claim and says its guards were just doing their job to protect a State Department convoy under attack by Iraqi insurgents. 17 people died and 24 others were wounded in the shootings.

The plaintiffs are accusing Blackwater of failing to make sure that its guards did not use steroids. The military contractor has fired employees in the past for steroid use.

The lawsuit also claims that Blackwater knowingly hired ex-Chilean commandos that were barred from working in their own countries because they committed human rights violations, as well as mercenaries from other nations.

The plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages, personal injury compensation, and wrongful death recovery.

The United States has paid Blackwater close to $1 billion for its services since the invasion of Iraq. Blackwater guards provide security to high-level U.S. officials in Baghdad.

The Iraqi government is now considering withdrawing the legal immunity that private security contractors currently enjoy in Iraq.

If you or someone you love has been injured because of the negligent, careless, reckless, or excessively violent actions of another person or entity, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against any negligent parties.

Blackwater accused in lawsuit over civilian deaths, USA Today, November 27, 2007

Blackwater Lawsuit Says Order Ignored, AP, November 27, 2007

Blackwater guards pumped on steroids, lawsuit alleges, CNN.com, November 27, 2007

Iraq contractors say they'll keep working without immunity, Boston.com, December 9, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Prosecutors narrow focus in Blackwater killings, December 7, 2007

Blackwater Worldwide

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on December 10, 2007 (boomark / email).