BIG DIG PROMPTS PROPERTY CLAIMS:

Boston’s $14.6 billion Big Dig highway project is to blame for millions of dollars in property damage to homes and businesses, including cracked walls, shifting foundations and flooded basements. But the Big Dig’s managers and its insurer, AIG, have paid out only $365,532 for fewer than 20 of the more than 100 claims filed since 2000, the Boston Sunday Globe reported. The compensation includes construction accidents and expenses incurred by the project’s insurance company’s adjusters, said Tom Welgoss, the project’s risk manager. Big Dig officials wouldn’t say how much money went to property owners.

Some property owners have complained. While some are trying to negotiate settlements with Big Dig managers, others plan on taking them to court. Artists who own 249 A St. in South Boston filed a lawsuit after the Big Dig’s insurance adjusters denied causing more than $1 million in damages to the century-old building. “If we don’t make the repairs, the building would eventually collapse,” said Michael Roitman, a lawyer for the artists.

Big Dig officials vowed to pay legitimate claims, but said the project and its insurer have an obligation to protect taxpayers from frivolous lawsuits. “If we cannot make a causal link, we’ll have to say we see no causal link and therefore can’t pay for damage to the building, which we think is the result of either lack of maintenance or other causes,” said project director Michael Lewis.