Blackwater countersued for $10 million in December 2006, claiming breach of contract provisions that forbade any suit against the company.
"[4] In addition, the contract called for a minimum of three-man teams in two vehicles (for a total of six men), with a heavily armed rear gunner and time before any mission to review the route and conduct a risk assessment and pre-trip inspection.
The suit further alleges that McQuown intervened and ordered only a four-man team be sent, although six were available, the other two remaining to perform clerical duties.
[9] In January 2011, U.S. district judge James C. Fox dismissed the suit after no progress was made in court-ordered arbitration.
[10] Early in January 2012, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ended the lawsuit with the families of the victims reaching a confidential settlement from the company.