“They were kids, and they were put in a death trap," said Dubin, who was accompanied by relatives of five of the service members who died on
Dubin added that the troops were trapped inside for 45 minutes before the vehicle, known as an AAV, sank. Four
He said the lawsuit would be filed within two days in
The families cried as he spoke; three of the mothers embraced. Among them was
She and her son would talk almost daily. Pfc.
“I still don't sleep because I'm waiting for a call that doesn't come," she said, crying. “I just want to make things safer so this doesn't happen to anybody else."
Military leaders agreed the tragedy could have been prevented. An investigation by the maritime branch found the accident off
About a dozen Marine officers have been forced out of their jobs or disciplined in another way. The
“We offer our deepest sympathies to the families impacted by this tragedy and we mourn the loss of the nine service members," company spokesman
Lawyers for the families said they also would have considered suing the military but were prevented by the Feres doctrine, a 1950 decision that says service members cannot sue the federal government for injuries sustained while serving.
Instead, they are asking the military to support the lawsuit and pull its amphibious assault vehicles out of the water until the problem is resolved by the manufacturer. The
The troops who died were inside a decades-old amphibious vehicle, but lawyers said the newer ones, including a line now in production, have the same issue, which is why they are suing.
The
It said it continues to mourn the loss of troops and is making safety a priority.
“When they took my son, they kind of took my life," she said through tears. “There's a hole in my family I can't fix. And I don't want another mother standing at a door at
The accident occurred a day before Lance Cpl.
His mother said she and the other families who lost loved ones plan to spend the anniversary of the accident together, sharing memories. She may put flowers in the ocean.
On Saturday, Sweetwood plans to visit her son's grave at
The vehicles have been at the heart of the
The investigation found the troops had not received appropriate instruction on how to escape a sinking amphibious vehicle and that the unit had not completed a required evaluation meant to address any issues, including their swimming qualifications.
Marine officers in charge that day also failed to have safety boats nearby.
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