Iraq Burn Pit Exposure Lawsuit

Thousands of military veterans returned from Iraq with serious health problems after being exposed to toxic burn pits, including cancer and permanent lung diseases.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting burn pit induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know is a military veteran who was diagnosed with health problems after being exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq or Afghanistan, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Toxic Chemical Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: U.S. Senate Passes PACT Act

In June 2022, the U.S. Senate announced a long-sought bipartisan deal on the Honoring Our PACT Act, a bill that could help 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits during their military service.

The bill was delayed for a few weeks when dozens of Republicans flipped their vote. In August 2022, the Senate finally voted 86-11 to approve the PACT Act, ending a years-long effort begun by veterans and their families who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with devastating respiratory illnesses and rare cancers.

The bill is named in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, who died of a rare lung cancer in 2020 after being exposed to burn pits.

The PACT Act also expands health services for millions of veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and radiation.

Before the PACT Act, there were only 3 health problems linked to burn pits — asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The legislation would add many other illnesses to the list of injuries, including:

Asthma
Head cancer
Neck cancer
Respiratory cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer
Reproductive cancer
Lymphoma
Lymphomatic cancer
Kidney cancer
Brain cancer
Melanoma
Pancreatic cancer
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolotis
Emphysema
Granulomatour disease
Interstitial lung disease
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
Chronic sinusitis
Chronic rinitis
Glioblastoma

President Seeks Health Benefits for ‘Burn Pit’ War Veterans

In March 2022, President Joe Biden traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to advocate for more medical care for U.S. military veterans with health problems who were exposed to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Biden’s eldest son Beau Biden died in 2015 of brain cancer after serving in Iraq, including Camp Victory in Baghdad and Balad Air Force Base, where he was exposed to large burn pits.

What is a Burn Pit?

Burn pits were a common way for the military to get rid of trash during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, using gasoline and jet fuel to incinerate just about every type of waste material you can imagine.

What Was Burned?

Chemicals, paint, Styrofoam, spent munitions, metal, aluminum cans, vehicle parts, plastic bottles, used batteries, tires, feces, body parts, medical waste, petroleum and lubricant, rubber, wood, and food waste were commonly disposed of in open burn pits.

What is the Problem?

Over the years, these massive open-air burn pits spewed an incredible amount of toxic smoke and deadly chemicals in the air. One of the most notorious burn pits was the one at Balad Air Base, a 10-acre pit that burned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For the servicemen and women working anywhere near the pits, it was impossible to avoid breathing the toxic fumes. Tragically, thousands of veterans returned home with chronic health problems, including deadly cancers, lung conditions and neurological damage.

Adding insult to injury, the U.S. government was reluctant to help — forcing veterans to wage legal and lobbying wars to get compensation, just like the Vietnam veterans had to do for Agent Orange exposure.

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Burn Pit Lawsuit Against KBR

In 2019, things got even worse when the U.S. Supreme Court shot down lawsuits from hundreds of veterans with burn pit injuries who sued military contractor KBR Inc. (formerly owned by Halliburton Corporation). But in recent months, there has been a glimmer of hope for veterans, as lawmakers have been forced to deal with the serious health issue affecting thousands of veterans.

Another Burn Pit Lawsuit Goes to U.S. Supreme Court

In January 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take on a burn pit lawsuit filed by Le Roy Torres, a veteran who returned from from a yearlong deployment in Iraq with chronic headaches and debilitating breathing problems. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and toxic encephalopathy, which is also known as a toxic brain injury.

15,000+ Veterans Have Filed Burn Pit Disability Claims

The Veterans Benefits Administration processed 17,088 disability claims with at least one condition related to burn pit exposure from June 2007 through November 30, 2021.

Because there have been so many claims, the VA has set up an open Burn Pit Registry for military members who served Desert Shield and Desert Storm (ODS/S), Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom (OEF), and New Dawn (OND).

Symptoms of Burn Pit Exposure

Asthma
Breathing problems
Cancer
Brain damage
Neurological problems
Migraines
Liver or kidney problems
Skin lesions
Leukemia
Lung damage
Cardiovascular conditions
Autoimmune disorders
Death

Lung Conditions Linked to Burn Pits

Asthma
Trouble breathing
Chronic bronchitis (Bronchiolitis)
COPD
Constrictive bronchitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease
Lung cancer
Pneumonia
Sleep apnea
And more

List of Burn Pit Locations in Iraq

Abu Ghraib Prison
Al Asad Air Base
Al Quo
Al Taqaddum (Ridgeway)
Ali Air Base (formerly Talil Air Base)
Al-Sahra aka Camp Speicher
Baghdad International Airport (BIAP)
Balad Air Base
Baqubah (FOB) (Warhorse)
Camp Adder, Talil Air Base
Camp Al Taji (Army Airfield)
Camp Anderson
Camp Ar Ramadi
Camp Bucca
Camp Cedar I and I, Talil Air Base
Camp Chesty
Camp Courage, Mosul
Camp Cropper
Camp (FOB) Delta, Al Kut
Camp Echo, Diwaynia
Camp Geiger
Camp Liberty (aka Camp Trashcan)
Camp Loyalty
Camp or LSA Anaconda
Camp Ridgeway (Al Taquaddum)
Camp Rustamiyah
Camp Scania
Camp Shield, Baghdad
Camp Speicher aka Al Sahra Airfield (formerly FOB)
Camp Stryker
Camp Victory
COB Meade, Camp Liberty
Diwaynia
Fallujah
FOB Caldwell, Kirkuk
FOB Endurance, Qayyarah Airfield West/Saddam Air Base
FOB Freedom, Kirkuk
FOB Gabe, Baqubah
FOB Marez, Mosul
FOB Summerall (Bayji and Taji)
FOB Sykes (Tall’ Afar)
FOB Warrior, Kirkuk
Green Zone or International Zone
Kalsu
Kirkuk
Kut Al Hayy Airbase
Mosul
Navstar
Q-West, Qayyarah Airfield West/Saddam Air Base
Scania
Taji
Talil Air Base (now is Ali Air Base)
Tall’ Afar

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