Noteboom The Law Firm

Iraq War Veterans Poisoned by Chemical Exposure

According to an article in The Charleston Daily Mail, many Iraq war veterans, which include National Guard members, have developed significant illnesses due to being exposed to a cancer-causing chemical. Once again the military is facing multiple veterans with disabilities filing compensation claims due to chemical exposure.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established a specific monitoring program to keep tabs on this situation and does not believe the health issues of which these soldiers are complaining are related to their deployment.

In early 2003, a group of 1,000 people consisting of both soldiers and Army civilians were exposed to sodium dichromate, which is a known carcinogen. The incident itself occurred at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Iraq, and has left large percentages of soldiers complaining of the following: 

• multiple types of respiratory problems;
• skin irritations; and
• problems related to their internal organs. 

The soldiers were stationed at the treatment plant for various amounts of time but never exceeded "several months." The Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General (OIG) places the blame for the exposure on both military officials and defense contractors for not adhering to proper workplace safety protocols.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.