Florida Resident Sues Mining Company Over Contaminated Land Under Homes

A central Florida man is suing a mining company that he says built homes over former phosphate mines and didn’t warn homeowners about health hazards.

Lakeland homeowner John Jerue filed the lawsuit last week against Alabama-based Drummond Company on behalf of property owners of the Oakbridge and Grasslands developments. He is seeking unspecified damages for economic losses, cleanup of the properties and medical monitoring.

Jerue says phosphate mining slag was used as fill on the land the homes were built on by Drummond. The lawsuit says the properties have elevated levels of radiation and that land, air, groundwater and dwellings are contaminated. Jerue says Drummond knew of the risks before developing the properties.

A spokesman for Drummond didn’t immediately return an email seeking comment.