My husband was killed in Baghdad Mar.25,2006 working for KBR-Halliburton out of Houston, TX. He was hired as a carpenter supervisior. At the time of his death he was working the night shift which the company required all employees to work 12/7. My husband's name was Roy (Gene) Hyatt he was only 47. The night of the inceident he was working and came upon a water filteration system called a "rowpue system". He noticed water coming from one of the gauges and radioed to his superior and notified him of the problem. He was told to turn off the system. Now you have to understand, this was a water system that required a skilled cerfitied person to handle. Not a "carpenter"! As insturcted my husband turned off the valuve, in doing so the water tank that was over flowing and designed to only get at tall at 4/6 feet high and only hold 25,000 gals. of water, was actually filled to 80,000 gals and was more than 10 foot in height. The person responisable for this tank had fallen asleep on his watch and was not more than a few feet from his post in the next room. The tank exploded on my husband, ripping through the back of his head causing a gash in the back of his head from ear to ear, digging into his brain. Thus bringing on a sever stroke through out his brain, and many contusions deeply in the skull. Also the rubber from the water bladder, ripped out a piece of his heart, a lung, shatterd one leg into splinters, and pushing his pubic bone through to his back breaking his spine. KBR peole were instructed to keep this from the CID Military Police. However, one brave young man that was there at the time of the accident, went to CID on his own and was fired from his position immeditially. He obtained an attorney and almost after one year he finally got his job back. Now I have the same attorney and so far all it has gotten me are more bills to pay, (to him now) I'm asking if you may know of any way I can take out a law suit against the people responisable for the death of my husband? The family viewing of my Husband's body, Halliburton sent some people in, one of the men presented me a check for $50,000.00. Assuring me I would not have taxes to pay on this money. But now I have received a 1099 and will have to pay after all! What can I do? I am now a widow after 23 years of marriage, and I cannot even get his SS income until I turn 50. I am receiving a small widow's benefit, that KBR pulled an amount out of the air to decide my fate, monthly. Could you please tell me if I can legally sue KBR, which is in the process of pulling away from Halliburton? My attorney tells me I really do not have a case, however I am still paying him?
Help if you can PLEASE!
Sincerely,
Lonely and Broke in NC
TERESA B. HYATT
336-495-3744
2862 HORSESHOE BEND RD
RANDLEMAN, NC 27317