A group of almost 200 current and former tenants living in housing at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West has filed a lawsuit after long-standing, intolerable conditions in their homes have raised concerns about mesothelioma and other physical, emotional, and financial harms. Their suit names the residential real estate management company that is managing and repairing service members’ homes on behalf of the military.
Mesothelioma Is a Long-standing Concern for Service Members
From the time that it became public knowledge that asbestos exposure could lead to mesothelioma and other serious illnesses, the military has worked to eliminate it from its assets. The majority of asbestos abatement efforts were directed at areas that represented the highest concentrations of the toxic material – largely areas of Navy ships where heat-generating equipment operated. Other asbestos has been removed when it begins to represent a problem, but in the case of the military homes at Key West, Balfour Beatty has failed to respond to residents’ concerns and requests.
The lawsuit is not the first time that the private management company has been sued over concerns about asbestos in military housing, the fear of mesothelioma, and other unsafe conditions. The company pled guilty to fraud in 2021 for falsifying maintenance records in other military housing so that it could collect performance bonuses from the government.
Lawsuit Points to Serious Health Problems, Including Mesothelioma
In their suit, the military families accuse Balfour Beatty of knowingly lying about repairs, leaving them at risk of serious health problems, including mesothelioma from asbestos and other illnesses from mold and lead paint. The unfit conditions described in the claim include water damage and homes with extremely elevated levels of toxic mold, as well as structural defects, HVAC and plumbing issues, and electrical problems.
The horrific conditions described in the families’ lawsuit offer a clear picture of the risks of asbestos-related diseases they face, as well as asthma and other respiratory issues, sinusitis, migraines, memory loss, brain fog, blurred vision, and compromised immune systems. They also note the extreme stress and emotional and psychological injuries the situation has caused. The families are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as legal costs.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
