Toxic Mold Exposure
Mold occurs naturally, but it can be dangerous when it grows inside our homes. Mold can grow wherever there is exposure to moisture, including around leaking windows, pipes, and roofs. Certain types of mold exposure can cause serious health conditions and even be fatal.
If you are suffering health problems from water intrusion and mold, you can file a mold exposure lawsuit against those responsible. If you are suffering from mold issues, talk to a toxic mold lawyer about your legal options.
Is Mold Dangerous?
Molds are microscopic fungi. These thinly spun threaded organisms produce spores that then allow them to spread to different locations. Mold spores can spread in the air or be carried on clothing, shoes, and pets.
There are many types of molds, including dangerous and beneficial molds. For example, molds are responsible for developing the flavor of popular cheeses. Penicillin, which comes from penicillium mold, is an antibiotic used to treat harmful bacteria.
Other types of mold can be dangerous or even deadly to humans, including:
- Aspergillus
- Cladosporium
- Fusarium
- Mycotoxins
- Stachybotrys
Can Toxic Mold Cause Injury and Illness?
Toxic molds can be dangerous and even fatal for you and your pets. However, the majority of molds pose no serious health hazards to people. Household molds exist in colors such as red, green, blue-green, brown, and black mold. Types of common household molds that are toxic Stachybotrys and Memnoniella.
Stachybotrys may be responsible for a potentially fatal acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants and people with impaired immune systems. Other possible health effects of mold exposure include:
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Allergies
- Asthma problems
- Lung infections
- Fever
- Sinus infections
- Skin rashes
Can You Sue for Mold Exposure?
A toxic tort is an injury — cancer, organ damage, birth defects, etc. — caused by exposure to toxic substances. Toxic substances may be released into the air or water by factories or dumped into the ground in landfills. Some common materials that are the subject of toxic tort litigation include:
- Asbestos exposure
- Molds
- Pesticides
- Defective drugs
- Hazardous or toxic waste
Toxic mold litigation involves legal actions, such as filing a lawsuit, joining a class-action lawsuit, or engaging in settlement negotiations, related to health problems caused by toxic mold exposure. A toxic mold lawsuit can help you and your family recover compensation for your injuries and illnesses. This includes compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Proving Liability in a Toxic Mold Lawsuit
If someone fails to protect you from toxic mold, they may be legally responsible for your injuries. For example, a construction company could have used inferior materials that are not approved for use in wet environments. Alternatively, the prior homeowner may have known about a mold infestation and failed to disclose it when selling the property.
Possible defendants in toxic mold litigation can include:
- Home manufacturers and condominium builders
- Landlords and property managers
- Prior property owner
- Building material suppliers
In toxic mold claims, you may need an expert witness to explain why the defendant is liable for your toxic mold exposure.
An expert witness has specialized knowledge, training, or experience related to your personal injury claims. For example, you may use a construction engineer to explain how construction defects caused water damage and the presence of mold.
How Do I Know if I Have a Mold Problem?
You may be able to smell or see some types of mold damage. However, mold can grow and spread inside drywall, insulation, and under carpets. It may be more difficult to identify mold infestations you cannot see.
If there are roof or window leaks, get any leaks repaired to reduce the risk of mold growth. If you see mold, clean and disinfect the area. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can remove mold from hard surfaces with a bleach solution. A problem in your home that you caused and failed to address that led to toxic mold growth would not give you much chance of a successful lawsuit.
Some mold problems are more challenging to address. They can involve construction defects, defective building materials, or storm damage. If you are sensitive to mold or have certain medical conditions, contact a professional to clean up dangerous levels of mold.
How Can a Toxic Mold Lawyer Help?
A toxic tort lawyer has experience with toxic mold cases. Your attorney can review your case and explain your legal options. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to help you get a settlement amount to pay for your medical bills and mold remediation. Do not delay or wait for any symptoms of mold exposure to get worse; if you or your family members are suffering from health issues, talk to a toxic mold lawyer.