HOUSTON, TEXAS – Sullo & Sullo, LLP, a leading law firm based in Houston, Texas, is pleased to announce a $571 Million Dollar* legal victory in the case of "Gration v. Islamic Republic of Iran," a landmark lawsuit arising from the tragic bombing of the Khobar Towers apartment complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 1996. A different group of Sullo & Sullo clients obtained an $879 Million Judgment in 2020 for the same bombing attack.
The United States District Court has ruled in favor of 26 servicemembers who were injured in the bombing and 53 immediate family members of those servicemembers. Sullo & Sullo represents several of the servicemembers and their family members. The court found the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security liable for their material support of the Hezbollah terrorists responsible for the bombing.
Andrew Sullo, Partner at Sullo & Sullo, LLP, stated, "We are deeply committed to seeking justice for our clients. This ruling is not just a victory for the plaintiffs but a triumph for justice and the rule of law. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that the judgment is enforced and that our clients receive the compensation they deserve."
Gregory Sullo, Partner at Sullo & Sullo, LLP, added, "This ruling is a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families. It sends a clear message that acts of terrorism and those who support them will be held accountable. We are honored to represent these brave servicemembers and their families, and we will continue to fight for their rights."
Sullo & Sullo, LLP extends its heartfelt gratitude to the court, the expert witnesses, and all those who contributed to this significant legal victory. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing exceptional legal representation to those who seek justice.
If you or a loved one were affected by the Khobar Towers bombing, please contact:
Hamant Kalidas
Communications Director
Sullo & Sullo, LLP
2020 Southwest Fwy, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77098
713-335-0816
casereview@sullolaw.com
The case in question arises from the bombing of the Khobar Towers complex, which housed United States military personnel. The explosion resulted in the death of 19 American servicemembers and injuries to dozens more, including 26 servicemember plaintiffs in this case. The remaining plaintiffs are 53 immediate family members of servicemembers harmed in the attack.
The Khobar Towers residential complex housed coalition forces, including U.S. military forces. On June 25, 1996, a large gasoline tanker truck pulled up alongside the perimeter wall and exploded, causing significant damage and casualties. The force of the explosion was equivalent to 20,000 pounds of TNT.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendants, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, are liable under the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) for their material support of Hezbollah terrorists that bombed the complex.
The court granted the plaintiffs' motion for default judgment against the defendants as to liability and damages. The evidence regarding the Khobar Towers bombing was summarized, and the court provided an overview of the procedural history of the case.
Iran was found to have planned and supported the Khobar Towers bombing. Both the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran at the time, and the Minister of Intelligence and Security approved the attack. The truck bomb was assembled at a base in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, jointly operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah.
Eleven prior decisions of the court found the defendants liable for the Khobar Towers bombing. The court heard evidence and witness testimony in some of these cases, including examination of expert witnesses such as former FBI Director Louis Freeh and scholars of Middle Eastern politics. The court took judicial notice of the evidence presented in prior related cases, including expert testimony and findings of fact. This approach was deemed efficient and sufficiently protective of the absent defendant's interests.
The court granted the plaintiffs' motion for default judgment against the defendants as to liability and damages. The evidence regarding the Khobar Towers bombing was summarized, and the court provided an overview of the procedural history of the case.
About Sullo & Sullo, LLP: Sullo & Sullo, LLP is a premier law firm based in Houston, Texas, specializing in a wide range of legal services, including personal injury, criminal defense, and commercial litigation. With a reputation for excellence, integrity, and innovation, Sullo & Sullo, LLP is dedicated to providing clients with the highest level of legal representation.
* Breakdown of Awarded Damages (from Court Opinion) For the foregoing reasons, plaintiffs' motion is granted. Defendants are liable for the pain and suffering inflicted on the twenty-six servicemember plaintiffs, for the emotional distress inflicted on the fifty-three immediate family member plaintiffs of these and other servicemember plaintiffs, and for punitive damages equal to compensatory damages. Plaintiffs are awarded monetary damages in the following amounts: 1. Servicemember plaintiffs Jonathan Scott Gration, Barry Gordon Brown, Angela Mashel Brown, Steven Lee Byers, Kevin Richard Mall, Aubree Brooke Staricka, Brent Alan Mullings, Sy William Yost, Joey Laurier Morrissette, James Michael Silvi, Michael Harrington Weems, Scott Patrick Hill, Christopher Brian Lauderback, Jason Allen Bratton, and Kenneth Michael Kowalczyk, who each suffered injuries resulting in a VA disability rating at or above 70%, are each entitled to $7,000,000 in pain and suffering damages and $7,000,000 in punitive damages; 2. Servicemember plaintiffs Timothy Gerard Fermanis, Kenneth David Weaver, Ronald Scott Gering, Nathan Elliot Wheat, and David Anthony Toole, who each suffered injuries resulting in a 40- 60% VA disability rating, are each entitled to $6,000,000 in pain and suffering damages and $6,000,000 in punitive damages; 3. Servicemember plaintiffs John Charles Orlando, Jr., Vincent Gene Oliver, Franko James Ferguson, and Brian Christopher Stoneburner, who each suffered injuries resulting in a 30% or lower VA disability rating, are each entitled to $5,000,000 in pain and suffering damages and $5,000,000 in punitive damages; 4. Servicemember plaintiffs Steven Lee Brodt and the Estate of Steven Peter Goff, who each suffered severe injuries, are each entitled to $5,000,000 in pain and suffering damages and $5,000,000 in punitive damages; 5. Plaintiff spouses Maria Star Yost, Christina Marie Schomaker, Eva Ranee Graham, Jacqueline Archuleta Quintana, Judith Ellen Gration, Ursula Leona Orlando, Tina Maria Mullings, Tamara Lee Oliver, Un Suk Brodt, Jo Ann Silvi, and Kimberlee Jo Hill are each entitled to $2,000,000 in solatium damages and $2,000,000 in punitive damages; 6. Plaintiff parents and stepparents Donna Lee Byers, Rodney Lee Byers, Gloria Ann Mullings, Vernon Oscar Mullings, Steven Millard Douglass, Diane Theresa Morrissette, Donald Allen Wheat, Shirley Ann Goff, Michele Ann Canchola, Timothy Louis Canchola, Paula Gail Nott, Preston Wade Nott, Nancy Robertson Weems, John Harold Weems, Susan Lynn White, Jerry White, Patricia Gration.