Water-Related News

Lawsuit: Sewage spills in Crooked Lake led to infections

Babson Park men allege pollution of Crooked Lake

On separate days last September, two Babson Park men waded into Crooked Lake near their properties and wound up with infections requiring hospitalization.

Doug Morrison and W. Trent Farrar allege that their ordeals resulted from the presence of bacteria from improperly treated sewage that entered their bodies through minor cuts. They are now suing Crooked Lake Park Sewerage Company, citing a history of problems with a wastewater treatment facility on the opposite side of the lake.

Lakeland lawyer Kent Lilly filed the lawsuit March 3 in the civil division of 10th Judicial Circuit Court. The suit seeks compensatory damages in excess of $100,000.

The lawsuit relies on five documented cases of sewage releases into Crooked Lake last year, the last just two days before Morrison claims he waded in the lake while doing “beach work” at his property. The lawsuit says Farrar waded in the lake on or around Sept. 16 to launch his boat.