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Mold: What’s In Your Walls?

Toxic Mold Claims

Sometimes called the sick building syndrome (SBS), toxic mold exposure results from an unwelcome and tenacious invasion of certain types of molds. They have Latin-based, tongue-twister names: Aspergillus, Stachybotrys, Paecilomyces, Fusarium, and Penicillium. It is true some molds are benign, but how do you know what is climbing in your walls and lurking in your carpets?

Toxic Mold May Cause Personal Injury, And That May Lead To A Lawsuit

Mold isn’t just a homeowner’s problem. It can grow in any building: college housing, public and private schools, churches, senior care centers, offices, warehouses. In one case, the owner of a Cadillac sued for mold exposure because defective seals allowed water leakage, and mold took hold. Mold likes damp places. It doesn’t need light. It thrives on drywall, insulation, wood, and paper. Toxic mold may cause personal injury, and that may lead to a lawsuit:

  • A Laguna Beach, California, landlord neglected to repair a mold-infested house. A child in the home suffered severe respiratory problems for several years caused by the mold. Jury award: $1.2 million
  • Moldy lumber used in a house in Manhattan Beach, California, caused severe medical problems for the family’s child. Jury award: $22.6 million
  • Toxic mold was the cause of serious illness for a well-known TV star and his wife, and it killed the family dog. Settlement: $7.2 million  

When a case involves toxic mold exposure, attorneys at Geurts Law Firm are ready to help. There are many steps to consider. It is essential to act promptly because mold causes personal injury, which means lawsuits are subject to (usually) a two-year Statute of Limitations from the date of injury. Mold exposure cases are sometimes difficult to prove, so seeking early advice from a Geurts Law Firm attorney, when you first suspect a mold problem, is important. The attorney may advise you to seek medical care. At Geurts Law Firm, we have seen clients with differing symptoms, including mild ones like asthma and allergy sensitivities and serious, long-term ones like memory loss, confusion, and mycotoxicosis (another fancy word meaning mold poisoning).

At Geurts Law Firm, we understand the importance of preserving evidence. Your attorney is likely to recommend an environmental assessment. It may be necessary to negotiate with builders, contractors, landlords, homeowner associations, property inspectors, realtors and others. For all of this, it is advisable to have a reliable attorney representing your interests. If you think you may have been injured by mold where you work, play, or live, call Geurts Law Firm for a free consultation: 714-660-4313.