Lawsuit Accuses Balfour Beatty of Negligence, Toxic Conditions at Navy Housing

Dozens of families are suing Balfour Beatty Communities, alleging that the company was careless and placed people living in leased military housing at Naval Air Station Key West in dangerous situations. 

The case was filed on March 27 in Monroe County Circuit Court. It is comprised of 56 families, 44 of whom are military personnel, who claim they were exposed to hazardous chemicals due to mold, asbestos, lead paint, insect infestations, and electrical and plumbing issues in homes that Balfour Beatty managed.

 According to its 175 pages, Balfour Beatty breached the trust of these families by compromising their health and safety.  There are 192 present and former residents, many of them children, who are suing. It is said that they were grossly negligent, lied, broke a contract, and caused mental distress without meaning to.  The lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, alleging severe harm to the plaintiff's body, mind, and finances. 

Plaintiff Virginia Guess said that after moving into their home in Sigsbee Park in June 2022, her children started having chronic breathing problems. They got what is known as the "Sigsbee cough" in the area.  There are more than 500 homes in the neighborhood, and many of them were built in the early 1960s.

 According to the complaint, families reported feeling better after leaving their homes, but their symptoms returned upon their return. This made people worry that there might be harmful chemicals in the homes. 

The plaintiffs allege that Balfour Beatty intentionally concealed dangers and misrepresented the completion of repairs to families, thereby exposing residents to significant health risks. Balfour Beatty, which is responsible for more than 43,000 military housing units nationwide, including 700 units at NAS Key West, stated in a press release, "We are aware of the complaint and plan to defend ourselves vigorously."

 The case demonstrates that privatized military housing is gaining increasing attention. Over the past few years, numerous reports have surfaced regarding unsafe conditions and poor management at U.S. installations.