Klein Frank, P.C. Announces $18.78 Million Awarded to Burn Victim of Contractor's Negligence In Baghdad, Iraq

DENVER, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Klein Frank, P.C. of Boulder, Colorado and the Law Firm of Ted B. Lyon in Dallas, Texas announce that a jury has rendered a verdict in the amount of $18.78 Million in the case of Dawson v. Fluor Intercontinental, Inc.

Plaintiff David Dawson was a civilian contractor working on the reconstruction of Iraq.  Defendant Fluor Intercontinental, Inc. entered into a $59 Million a year costs plus contract with the Army Corps of Engineers to provide O&M and Life Support services in multiple compounds in Iraq.  This contract specifically required Fluor to provide safe water to individuals living in these compounds.  Fluor Intercontinental, Inc was paid $10 Million per year plus costs to maintain Freedom Compound, a 600 bed facility in Baghdad.  Dawson was burned by excessively hot water at Freedom Compound on November 16, 2007.

The jury found that Fluor was negligent and failed to properly maintain the safe temperature of the water heaters.  The Defense expert for Fluor testified that the water heaters would reach over 200 Degrees Fahrenheit.  All parties agreed that the safe temperature of water was 120 Degrees Fahrenheit. 

As a consequence of Fluor's negligence, David Dawson received third degree burns over 65% of his body and burns to his lungs.  He was treated at the Ibn Sina hospital in Baghdad by the 86^th CSH and airlifted to Germany where he received extensive treatment to save his life.  Dawson credits the skill of his physicians for his survival.  The jury awarded him $18.78 million in compensation for his disfigurement and the extreme suffering through which he lived. 

Trial attorney Beth Klein "We are grateful that the jury held this highly compensated contractor to the standards to which it agreed.  We hope that this verdict will help ensure the safety of our citizens working to support the efforts of the United States and to ensure that contractors provide the value that they promise."

Trial attorney Marquette Wolf  stated: "From Denver to Dallas to Baghdad, there is no difference in what it takes to prevent unnecessary risk to lives." 

Klein Frank, P.C. is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases involving serious injury and human rights cases.  Beth Klein can be contacted at 303-448-8884 and at www.lawcolorado.net.

SOURCE Klein Frank, P.C.