Florida Homeowner Reaches Settlement in Phosphate Mining Radiation Case

A Polk County resident has reached a confidential settlement with Drummond Co. Inc. based on claims that the Alabama-based mining operator failed to warn him about dangerously high levels of radiation in his Grasslands neighborhood.

Drummond conducted phosphate mining for several years in the Central Florida region before developing the Oakbridge and Grasslands neighborhoods for commercial and residential use in the 1980s. According to Environmental Protection Agency reports, Drummond officials knew of mining-related contamination of these properties, but never warned homebuyers about the health threats.

Radiation from decaying uranium is a known byproduct of phosphate mining. The cancer-causing emissions can penetrate the body and increase the risk of certain cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and bone cancer.

EPA testing before development of the subdivisions showed radiation levels 11 to 21 times higher than the acceptable risk limit. In 2003, the EPA's Florida Phosphate Initiative noted that some homes had median radiation concentrations four to 22 times higher than pre-mined land and gamma exposure two to three times higher than normal.

"This litigation has survived a vigorous and lengthy defense and several attempts to dismiss the claims, all of which were denied," says Mark Lanier of The Lanier Law Firm. "Armed with input from several national and internationally respected environmental scientists, we will continue to litigate for our existing clients and encourage all affected residents to consider doing the same."

About the Lanier Law Firm

For more than 30 years, the men and women at The Lanier Law Firm have worked tirelessly, throughout the United States, to find unique and effective solutions for their clients. Almost 50 skilled attorneys practice law in a broad array of areas, including business litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, asbestos exposure, oil and gas litigation, personal injury as well as defective and dangerous products, among others. Named an Elite Trial Law Firm by The National Law Journal, The Lanier Law Firm has offices in Houston, New York and Los Angeles. To learn more, visit http://www.lanierlawfirm.com.