A lawsuit accusing contractor giant Balfour Beatty and its subsidiaries of subjecting military families to unsafe housing conditions at the Naval Air Station Key West is advancing to federal court.
The latest complaint, a mass action lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida last month, alleges the London-based global infrastructure firm profited from its housing operations while exposing residents to harm, Multifamily Dive reported.
Families lived in water-damaged, moldy, pest-infested homes that were inadequately maintained, court filings claim. They’re now seeking damages for injuries sustained due to Balfour Beatty’s alleged negligence, the outlet reported.
In the original lawsuit filed last year in Monroe County, Florida, 56 families reported a slew of hazardous living conditions, including collapsed water-damaged ceilings, insect infestations, plumbing and electrical issues, lead paint, mold and asbestos.
Later that year, Just Well Law filed an amended suit that increased the number of plaintiffs to 272 from 192, many of whom are children. Defendants include Balfour Beatty Communities, Southeast Housing, Balfour Beatty Military Housing Management, BBC Military Housing-Navy Southeast and Balfour Beatty Investments.
Balfour Beatty told Multifamily Dive it disagrees with the allegations outlined in the latest complaint and plans to defend itself against the claims.
This isn’t the first time Balfour Beatty has gotten into legal trouble. In 2021, one of the firm’s subsidiaries, Balfour Beatty Communities, was forced to operate under outside supervision after pleading guilty to defrauding the U.S. military by falsifying housing records for higher performance rewards, the outlet reported. The company paid $65 million in fines. It completed its independent monitorship earlier this month.
In 2022, a U.S. Senate report called for greater oversight of Balfour Beatty, citing failures of management to prioritize health and safety.
Balfour Beatty’s military housing portfolio includes more than 44,000 units across 55 installations in 26 states, its website said. Seven-hundred of those units are at NAS Key West, the Military Times reported.
— Grace McClung
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