Iran Held Liable for Material Support of Terrorist Groups
ST. LOUIS, MO, July 28, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — Federal District Judge awards $321 million to 19 injured veterans and government contract employees and 16 of their family members. In Brown et al. v. Islamic Republic of Iran (Case No. 1:21-cv-01308-TNM), the court found Iran liable for providing material support to various terrorist organizations that attacked and injured US soldiers, government employees, and contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. Federal Judge Trevor McFadden of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia awarded $160,500,000 in compensatory damages and $160,500,000 in punitive damages.
Judge McFadden’s award in the Brown case is in addition to the $624,000 that he awarded in May of 2023 to servicemembers in the related case, Roth et al. v. Islamic Republic of Iran (Case No. 1:19-cv-02179-TNM).
These lawsuits involved U.S. servicemembers, government employees, and contractors who were killed and/or injured in terrorist attacks where Iran was found liable for provided funding, training, and/or other material support to terrorist groups. “We proved Iran’s responsibility for the devastating injuries through expert testimony and overwhelming evidence. We’re grateful to our clients’ sacrifices and Judge McFadden’s detailed evaluation of evidence,” said attorney Brad Lakin. “Over decades, we have had the privilege of representing numerous clients facing catastrophic injuries, but none more deserving than the heroes involved in this case.” Lakin said.
Normally, foreign governments cannot be sued and have immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act 28 U.S.C. § 1602 et seq. (“FSIA”). “Victory in the Brown and Roth cases was achieved by litigating a crucial exception in FSIA, allowing us to sue Iran. This exception enables legal action against State Sponsors of Terrorism, like Iran, who offer material support or resources to terrorist organizations responsible for heinous attacks resulting in the injuries and deaths of our clients in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.” attorney Rob Schmieder said. “It’s great to fight for those who fight for and safeguard our freedom,” he said.
The lawsuits consisted of U.S. servicemembers, government employees, and contractors who were killed and/or were severally injured by terrorist attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan. One servicemember in the Brown case was single leg amputee and another civilian contractor was shot three times while building schools and health clinics in Afghanistan. Many veterans suffered devastating traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder which will affect them for the remainder of their lives. Family members of the injured were also compensated for their losses when their loved ones returned home much different from when than they left.
SL Chapman Trial Lawyers is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with offices in St. Louis, Missouri; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Alton, Illinois. For more information about the firm, visit https://championsfortheinjured.com. To schedule an interview, please text or call Becky Hayes at (314) 588-9300. You may also email her at beckyh@championsfortheinjured.com.
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