Family Won a Settlement for Mold, Could This Be You?
Seeking effective mold treatment for an infestation in your home goes far beyond preserving the condition of your property. A family in Southern California received a record $22.6 million settlement in response to claims that toxic mold caused brain damage in their newborn son.
Kellen Gorman was born during the time his family lived in their custom-built home in Manhattan Beach. His functioning was well below the standard for his age group, resulting in a need for round-the-clock care.
The Gormans claimed that Crenshaw Lumber Co., the principal defendant in the suit, improperly stored framing studs used in their home, leading to the development of mold. The suit named 16 other defendants, including a sheet metal company.
Crenshaw had several expert witnesses lined up to testify, but most of them were excluded by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Victoria G. Chaney after a defense attorney allegedly missed a deadline for designating witnesses and altered the paperwork in an attempted cover-up. The final settlement was reached the day after the judge’s decision, with Crenshaw paying more than half.
According to Raymond P. Boucher, president of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the total represents the largest amount ever recorded for a mold case involving a single-family home. Terms of the settlement did not include admissions of guilt from Crenshaw or any of the other defendants.
If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, don’t take any chances. Our eco-friendly mold treatment system effectively removes the infestation while preventing future recurrences. Contact Stern Mold today for your free home inspection and price quote.