FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — A former Army sergeant and his family were awarded $10.3 million after they were forced to live in a mold-infested home on Fort Cavazos, causing lifelong health problems, according to family lawyers.
According to Guerra LLP, Sgt. Jason Kiernan, his wife Sarah, and their children were living in military housing provided by Calvary Family Housing and its parent company, Lendlease.
The American Arbitration Association panel of three lawyers determined that Calvary Family Housing and Lendlease showed a "lack of care or concern for families living in military housing."
Per the lawsuit, Sarah Kiernan was pregnant while living at the military home in 2019. She experienced constant health issues, including respiratory issues, while pregnant, according to the lawsuit.
At 2 months old, her newborn was taken to the hospital and spent 20 days there due to respiratory problems, according to the lawsuit.
Jason Kiernan told Stars and Stripes that he retired from the Army in 2020 and that they live in New Hampshire now. However, he said his son's health problems persisted to include seizures from not having enough oxygen after his birth.
"The overwhelming evidence revealed that respondents' gave [the Kiernans] a false sense of security that the home was properly repaired and was safe for them to occupy with families and infants," Guerra LLP said in a news release.
The arbitrators said Calvary Family Housing employees knowingly used numeric codes in maintenance reports to hide or withhold information about mold found inside military housing.
The panel found "false, misleading, deceptive, and unconscionable conduct" by the companies and "contempt and a lack of concern for the Kiernans," according to Guerra LLP.
The Kiernan's dispute is one among many others filed by military families regarding complaints about living conditions at Fort Hood Family Housing under the Military Housing Privatization Act.