MANATEE — More than 270 Tallevast residents have agreed in principle to settle a lawsuit against Lockheed Martin Co. over the contamination of wells by a beryllium plant the company owned.
Lockheed Martin spokesman Gary Cambre released a joint statement from the company and Tallevast residents late Friday afternoon. The statement said the deal was contingent upon a majority of the residents who joined in the suit agreeing to the terms.
“Lockheed Martin Corporation and members of the Tallevast community are pleased to confirm that they have agreed in principle to settle the lawsuit,” the statement said. “Terms are confidential, and neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants are permitted to comment any further.”
The suit is one of several filed against Lockheed claiming personal injury and property damage from exposure to beryllium.
Laura Ward, a Tallevast community leader and plaintiff in the suit, declined comment as did St. Petersburg attorney Bruce Denson, who represented several of the residents.
The suit was filed Sept. 1, 2005. The trial had been set to begin Oct. 11 in Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Janette Dunnigan’s court. A motion hearing scheduled for Friday was canceled Aug. 27.
“That’s surprising,” said Manatee County Commissioner Ron Getman, who represents Tallevast, when told of the settlement. “Generally, these lawsuits continue for years and years. I’m happy for the residents, if that’s what they wanted. I’m sure it is, or they wouldn’t have settled.”
Lockheed Martin purchased the former Loral American Beryllium Plant at 1600 Tallevast Road in 1996. Because Lockheed owned the property when the contamination was discovered in 2000, it is responsible for the cleanup, under the supervision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The company is awaiting final DEP approval before continuing remediation of the site.
The residents of the predominately black community are claiming Lockheed is liable for the damage caused by an underground plume of toxic waste beneath the beryllium plant. They sought damages for loss of property value and emotional distress.
On Aug. 9, Dunnigan ruled against four plaintiffs with ties to Tallevast, including Ward. They attempted to create a class-action suit and secure lifetime medical monitoring.
Timothy R. Wolfrum, urban affairs reporter, can be reached at (941) 745-7015.
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