Mold which develops inside buildings can be harmful to one's health and damage and / or destroy the structure of the building and its contents (i.e., personal property and belongings). Attorneys at Miller Law, Inc. are pioneers in the representation of plaintiffs in toxic mold cases. Contact the firm to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

The context in which toxic mold exposure can arise includes landlord-tenant cases; construction defect cases; real estate cases involving sellers, realtors, home inspectors and pest inspectors and; insurance bad faith lawsuits.

DANGERS OF TOXIC MOLD

Many experts have confirmed toxic mold is harmful to humans. Stachybotrys (or "black mold") is an especially dangerous type of mold that can cause a broad range of health problems. Exposure to this mold can cause prolonged cold and flu-like symptoms, headaches, skin rashes, bloody noses, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, chest pain, allergies, joint pain, liver disorders and lung damage. It poses a serious health risk to those exposed. Exposure to other types of mold, including Aspergillus and Penicillium, can also cause these types of symptoms as well as severe Type I or Type III allergies.

If you have become ill due to toxic mold exposure, or have experience property damage for mold, a lawyer can help you discuss possible solutions to your situation. A lawyer can be invaluable helping you take legal action, holding landlords, contractors, builders, sellers, realtors and other entities responsible for your injuries and damages.

Lawyers at Miller Law, Inc. are dedicated to serving as effective advocates for Californians suffering from toxic mold exposure. At our central California law offices, we represent a broad range of individuals, including adults, children, and the elderly.

SUCCESS IN TOXIC MOLD CASES

We are recognized for our success in bringing toxic mold cases on behalf of individuals who are injured or damaged by mold. One particularly notable outcome is a November 2001 jury verdict of $2.7 million for a family of 3 living in a mold-contaminated apartment. This was the largest verdict in United States history in a case involving personal injuries from toxic mold. In late, 2009, Miller Law, Inc. obtained an arbitration award valued in excess of $5 million on behalf of individuals who purchase condominiums with undisclosed water damage and mold.

Attorneys at Miller Law, Inc. have extensive experience representing injured and damage plaintiffs in mold cases including schools, homes, apartments, condominiums and commercial buildings. This legal work has involved the representation of one individual to the simultaneous representation of hundreds of plaintiffs in a single lawsuit.

TESTING FOR MOLD

Mold needs moisture to grow and spread. Such moisture typically comes from defective construction, maintenance and / or repair such as plumbing leaks, window and door leaks, roof leaks, stucco leaks and drainage or grading problems. Mold can develop on water damaged building materials in as few as 24 to 48 hours.

There are two primary ways to test for molds in your home, school or place of business: (1) air testing and (2) "bulk" testing. Air testing by the "viable test method" involves taking air samples by drawing air using a pump and a petri dish. The mold sample sent to a laboratory for analysis. If, after a certain period of time mold grows on the petri dish, mold is present in the home. Bulk sampling involves many types of tests. Often, mold-laden drywall is removed and placed into a sealed container for analysis in a laboratory. "Tape lift" sampling is also a common type of "bulk" sampling.

CLEANING MOLD FROM BUILDING STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS

Mold remediation - the process of cleaning mold from buildings and materials - is a complex and expensive process. The source of water leading to the mold growth must be identified and stopped. The extent of the mold damage must be determined, and the area "contained." Typically, the scope of the remediation necessary to the structure of a home or other building is accomplished by mold testing in the affected building. Thereafter, a "mold remediation protocol" is prepared based on the results of that mold testing.

Under a typical "mold remediation protocol," the impacted area will be "contained" using clear plastic sheeting to create a room within which to work. Remediation workers wearing Tyvek suits, respirators and goggles will then enter the area infested with toxic mold. They will remove the water-damaged building materials and placed the debris in sealed containers. They then will remove any remaining mold growth. Once this process is completed, the "contained" area is tested again to make sure it was properly cleaned or "remediated." If so, the containment is removed and the affected area rebuilt.

Proper mold remediation calls for the removal of mold-laden building materials, not merely cleaning with bleach, painting over the mold, or use of encapsulants. Accordingly, it can be very expensive. However, the builders or sellers of the property may be held accountable for such costs. Renters living apartments infested by toxic mold have recourse too.

Molds can also contaminate your personal property or belongings. If the contamination is significant, your belongings may need to be thrown away. Occasionally, personal property can be cleaned. However, special cleaning procedures are often needed.

Toxic Mold Case Results

Attorneys at Miller Law, Inc. have obtained millions of dollars in judgments and settlements for their clients and toxic mold cases. Included in judgments obtained was the November 2001 jury verdict in a case entitled Mazza v. Schurz. In that case, attorneys at Miller Law, Inc. obtained the largest jury verdict in United States history in a personal injury toxic mold case, totaling $2.7 million for a family of 3 injured by mold while living in an apartment.

HELPING RENTERS LIVING WITH TOXIC MOLD IN APARTMENTS OR OTHER RENTALS

Owners and managers of rental properties have a legal obligation to maintain and repair their apartments and other buildings they rent, including homes and condominiums. When toxic mold is present in an apartment and a landlord or manager does nothing to repair the damage, it may be necessary to take legal action. The failure of a landlord to properly maintain or repair a rental may result in lawsuits for negligence, breach of contract, breach of the implied warranty of habitability and nuisance.

Water is the necessary ingredient for mold to develop. This water can come from windows, roof, siding or plumbing leaks. If these and leaks are not properly addressed within 24 to 48 hours, molds can develop.

At Miller Law, Inc. located in central California and serving people throughout the state, we consider all of our clients' options - and you may have more options than you think. The best way to discover your options is to talk to us directly about your situation. We offer free and confidential consultations at no obligation to you.

If you are a renter affected by toxic mold, taking legal action is important. You may be able to receive a full or partial refund of the rent you paid. You may also receive compensation for the cost of moving, the cost to clean or replace your personal property (i.e. belongings), compensation for your personal injuries including lost wages and medical expenses, and the cost of mold testing. This is important because toxic mold can lead to serious injury. People exposed to molds suffer from a wide range of health concerns. These can include asthma, respiratory infections, immune system dysfunctions, skin rashes, joint pain, headaches, prolonged cold and flu-like symptoms, severe Type I and Type III allergies and difficulty breathing.

HELPING OWNERS LIVING WITH TOXIC MOLD IN THEIR RESIDENCES

Mold in Construction Defect Cases

Toxic mold can also arise in our construction defect cases. Individuals who own homes or condominiums have the right to bring actions against the builder of those structures if water damage from leaking plumbing, roofs, windows, or other sources which cause mold to develop. You have up to 10 years to sue the builder of your home, despite the one-year written warranty. Damages include the cost of repairing your residence, the damage to your personal property (i.e. belongings), any moving and relocation expenses and personal injury damages including pain and suffering and wage loss. In addition, depending on the severity of the defect, you may need to disclose the defect and mold (even if these conditions were repaired) to a prospective purchaser of your home when it is sold. This may result in a "diminution in value" on the resale of your residence.

TOXIC MOLD IN REAL ESTATE NONDISCLOSURE CASES

Toxic mold can also arise in our real estate nondisclosure cases. In this regard, undisclosed water intrusion and leaks including plumbing leaks, roof leaks, windows leaks, drainage in grading problems, slab and foundation leaks and exterior stucco or siding leaks can lead to the development of toxic mold.

The damages you can obtain are similar to those referenced above in connection with toxic mold in construction defect cases. However, typically, a real estate expert is required to give an opinion as to the difference in the value received for the residence at the time of its sale and its actual value at the time of the sale given the water damage and mold present. Personal injury damages and personal property damages are also potentially recoverable.

Toxic mold claims in a real estate nondisclosure case can be asserted against the following potential individuals and entities:

The seller(s)

The real estate agent and broker for the seller(s)

The real estate agent and broker for the buyer(s)

The pest inspection company

The home inspection company

Statute of Limitations

If the building in which you reside, whether you owned or rented, pass sustained water damage and toxic mold contamination, you need to act quickly. There are statutes of limitations which prescribe the last date upon which you must file a lawsuit relative to your toxic mold case or forever be barred from pursuing any claims for damages or injuries. Accordingly, it is important you speak to a lawyer immediately in order to preserve your rights.

What to Do if You Have Been Exposed to Toxic Mold

If you have become ill due to toxic mold exposure in a rental or a property you own, or have experienced damage to your personal property (belongings), talking to a lawyer about possible solutions can be critical to your future. Contact a Sacramento personal injury lawyer at Miller Law, Inc. by calling us toll free at 916-229-6695 or by contacting us online. Based in the Sacramento area, we represent people across the State of California who have been injured or exposed to toxic mold.