Tag Archives: Mold Lawsuit

What to Do If You Alert Your Landlord To Mold, and They Do Nothing

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Mold Litigation in 2020 - Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Mold Litigation in 2020 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Your apartment needs Manhattan mold removal. After numerous reports to management, no action is taken. Are you forced to suffer in silence? As a paying tenant, you have available options.

Why Is Manhattan Mold Removal Necessary?

Indoor mold and mold spores can cause a number of upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and wheezing. Even people with no previous history of allergies can experience these symptoms after prolonged exposure. Anyone with an underlying respiratory ailment or weakened immune system is particularly vulnerable.

Whether or not you’re presenting with symptoms, mold is a documented health risk. Pulmonologist Sonali Bose, assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, ranks mold as a hygenic problem on a par with a cockroach infestation.

When Landlords Fail to Act

Mold is not always visible, causing many landlords to dismiss complaints. But property owners are bound by legal requirements to maintain apartments free of health and safety risks.

Your first course of action should be to write a letter or email to management detailing the problem, including leaky pipes or any conditions that may have caused the mold. Insist on Manhattan mold removal, not a simple paint-over.

If the landlord still doesn’t respond, you could withhold rent, but that strategy carries risks that could impact your ability to rent in the future. Save this as an absolute last resort.

Turn to Stern Mold for Effective Removal and Prevention

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is non-intrusive, cost-effective and eco-friendly. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Law, Mold Tips, News

Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

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Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

Toxic mold lawsuits have been filed against builders and contractors, employers, government agencies and even automakers. Does your toxic mold problem rise to the level of legal action? Our New Jersey mold removal experts share important information about toxic mold litigation.

Making a Case

• Toxic mold litigation is a specialized field. Your first step should be consulting an attorney who is qualified in this area.

• Establishing the presence of toxic mold isn’t enough. There has to be evidence regarding the type of mold, location and cause of the infestation and whether or not spores were able to become airborne.

• Document every event and communication involving the mold problem, including conversations with a landlord and interaction with cleaning services.

Responsibility of Landlords

Landlord liability often hinges on the issue of notice.

• Constructive notice occurs when a “reasonable person” is in possession of facts that would lead to certain knowledge.

• Actual notice is when a landlord has direct knowledge of a situation through a tenant, repair person or their own investigation.

Damages

• Property damage can include cost of remediation, loss of personal property and reduction in real estate value, while personal damage arises from physical ailments such as bronchitis, memory loss or immune system disorders.

• Emotional distress, which involves the psychological effects of toxic mold exposure, is more difficult to determine.

Stern Mold: Your New Jersey Mold Removal Experts

Rely on the professional expertise of our trained technicians. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection of your home or business.

Posted in Mold Law, Mold Treatment, News, NYC Mold Removal

Employers – What You Need to Know About Mold in Your Building

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Employers - What You Need to Know About Mold in Your Building

Employers – What You Need to Know About Mold in Your Building

When you’re an employer, you’re expected to provide your employees with safe working conditions. Mold growth can become a potentially serious health issue for workers, especially if you have a severe toxic mold problem. Find out more about what you know about mold and when to look into mold removal in New Jersey.

Mold Lawsuits

Mold-related lawsuits are a concern for any employer. Workers can become ill due to the presence of a serious mold problem, resulting in respiratory problems, skin problems and other health issues. Watching for signs of mold helps ensure that you have a mold issue dealt with promptly before it can cause these problems.

Signs of Mold Growth

One of the most noticeable signs of mold growth inside buildings is a moldy or mildewy odor. If this odor persists or when several employees complain about it, then it’s time to have your building inspected to determine if you have a mold problem and how serious it is. Other signs that can indicate a mold problem include health issues that occur among employees, such as nausea, lightheadedness, throat irritation, eye irritation or respiratory problems.

What to Do About a Mold Problem

If you suspect a mold problem, it’s important to locate it and identify how extensive it is. Mold experts should handle this to ensure that any mold problems are effectively dealt with. Keep in mind that mold grows in moist areas, which can include places that have leaks, moisture or humidity problems.

If you need mold removal in New Jersey, contact Stern Mold. We provide effective mold remediation services to lower the risk of health problems related to mold growth.

Posted in Mold Law, Mold Remediation, MoldExterm, News, NJ Mold Removal, NYC Mold Removal

Mold Litigation in 2017 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

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Mold Litigation in 2017 - Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Mold Litigation in 2017 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Every time someone files a mold lawsuit, old arguments get rehashed and new science comes to light. In recent years, doctors and researchers have linked mold with many potential health issues. The fact that mold aggravates problems for people with weak respiratory systems cannot be disputed.

At the same time, a mold lawsuit can be an expensive and trying ordeal. A recent mold litigation study points out that many plaintiffs get caught up fighting for big dollars and wind up with less than expected.

Can You File a Mold Lawsuit Against a Landlord or Employer?

While laws vary by state, it’s generally true that landlords and employers are responsible for providing habitable conditions and responding to mold complaints appropriately. For instance, a building owner may be liable for health care costs, mental anguish, and more, if they were negligent about a water leak that caused the mold.

There are many hurdles to filing and winning a mold lawsuit:

  • Documenting the mold damage
  • Proof the defendant knew about the issue, was irresponsible, and didn’t provide mold treatment
  • Evidence of health problems linked to mold, such as lung infections, adult onset asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders caused by mycotoxins
  • Paying legal fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and other expenses without being certain you’ll win the case

Only an attorney can tell if you should file a mold lawsuit. In our experience, it may be easier to communicate with all parties involved, get mold treatment to clean up the building, and avoid the hassle.

Struggling with mold exposure symptoms? Contact Stern Mold for mold treatment in the NYC area, guaranteed to prevent mold from returning for five years.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Law, Mold Tips, MoldExterm, News

What’s Your Mold Lawsuit Worth Today?

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What's Your Mold Lawsuit Worth Today?

What’s Your Mold Lawsuit Worth Today?

When people argue about mold exposure, tension and emotions run high. Too often, especially between tenants and landlords, the situation needs resolution in the legal system. Courts have awarded enormous personal injury awards to people suing for mold problems.

In most cases, the plaintiff has suffered illnesses related to mold and the party responsible for cleaning up the mold did not act fast enough to remediate the problem.

Back in 2001, a mold lawsuit set a new standard for damages when a California jury ordered an apartment complex to pay $2.7 million to the Mazza family. The case put landlords and insurance companies on notice that suing for mold problems is serious business.

Million-dollar mold lawsuits still pop up every few years. At a minimum, guilty parties might have to pay tens of thousands or more to cover medical bills, lost wages, alternative housing, and ruined belongings.

Suing for Mold Problems: What Landlords and Tenants Should Do

The best advice for apartment renters and commercial tenants who suspect mold damage: document everything you can. Take pictures, seek medical attention, and build your case to prove to the landlord that action must be taken (or to present to lawyers later).

For landlords and businesses, early action is almost guaranteed to cost significantly less than litigation.

Stern Mold offers a scientifically advanced method of mold treatment that costs less and is less intrusive (no tearing out drywall) than most people imagine when they think of classic mold remediation methods. Compared to lawyer fees, medical fees, and the public shame of being sued for mold, it’s a no-brainer to get a free mold inspection and settle disputes quickly.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Law, News, NJ Mold Removal, NYC Mold Removal