Military Family Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Sewage Leak in Fort Jackson Housing

A South Carolina military family has sued Fort Jackson's housing provider, claiming that extensive sewage breaches in their home resulted in a life-threatening bacterial infection in their 4-year-old son.

Travis and Jaclyn Wilson, along with their six children, settled into Fort Jackson housing in December 2022. The case, filed on November 18, charges Fort Jackson Housing LLC and Balfour Beatty Military Housing Management LLC with negligent maintenance, citing hazardous sewage overflow and contamination.

The pair argues that the maintenance history provided at move-in lacked vital information about previous sewage backflow issues. Soon after moving in, sewage overflow from the upstairs bathroom began pouring through the ceiling into the kitchen below, along with a nasty odor.

Although maintenance staff claimed to have repaired the problem, it returned in March 2023, with sewage spilling back into the kitchen. According to the lawsuit, repeated attempts to remedy the matter resulted in insufficient responses, leaving the family in unclean living conditions.

The Wilsons claim that contact to the sewage caused their infant son to get a bacterial infection, which they characterize as life-changing. The action demands damages for the health and safety concerns caused by the alleged carelessness.

This case joins a growing number of cases filed against military housing providers around the country, as families describe hazardous and badly maintained living conditions on US bases.