Exposure to mold is insidious - we may not be able to see it, but mold can be present throughout our homes and workplace. Yet, the adverse health effects are not only very real but often permanent.
Do you believe you've been harmed by exposure to mold in your home or elsewhere? Are you wondering the answers to questions such as:
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Mold exposure is becoming an increasingly common problem in the U.S., but unfortunately, many people are unaware of their rights when it comes to dealing with it, especially if they have been severely harmed by that exposure.
While molds are generally looked down upon, it's vital to understand that most do not carry adverse health effects. Molds are created via natural processes, usually within dark and humid places, and while they may be an inconvenience they tend to cause little harm.
Nevertheless, it is still important to be on the lookout for the presence of toxic molds. Regrettably, the most dangerous molds commonly appear in our homes and places of work as a result of leaks or flooding. In many cases, the leaks or flooding occur in areas that are out-of-sight, such as under a sink, in an attic, or within walls. This also means that dangerous molds are able to grow without the inhabitants of a building taking notice.
Toxic mold syndrome, or TMS, is a broad category that is used to describe the symptoms that someone experiences when they've been exposed to dangerous ("toxic") molds. Not all molds are toxic because not all bacteria produce hazardous toxins; stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) and toxigenic aspergillus are two varieties that are indeed toxic.
Differents individuals can react differently to exposure to mold. Immunocompromised persons, for instance, may have a more pronounced reaction to prolonged mold exposure. Others with more robust immune systems may only experience mild symptoms if any at all.
The most commons symptoms of mold exposure include headaches, coughing, sneezing, fever, nausea and/or dizziness, chronic fatigue, irritation in the eyes and more. Some of these symptoms are more commonly associated with regular allergies rather than exposure to mold which is why it's important to pay attention to the signs. In the long-term, mold exposure can result in anxiety, insomnia, depression, memory loss and more.
Health experts should be consulted when any of the symptoms arise; if exposure to mold is diagnosed, then it's also important to speak to a mold litigation lawyer.
Our experienced team of mold litigation lawyers proves that it is definitely possible to successfully file a lawsuit over mold exposure. Yet, it's important to understand that mold exposure or mold injury cases can be incredibly complex.
The mere presence of mold in a home does not make for a solid case. Nor do medical bills brought on by mold exposure and its' corresponding treatment. For a mold lawsuit to be successful, it must be proven that someone knew of the presence of the mold and chose inaction. Moreover, this action has to have led someone else to suffer damages (such as negative health effects.)
In the case of leased or rented properties, just because mold is present does not mean that owner or landlord can be sued. The landlord or owner must be aware of the mold and be given a reasonable amount of time to remediate it before any kind of legal claim has a chance of being successful against them.
Ultimately, a mold exposure attorney can help you determine if your claim is valid and how much you may be entitled to in compensation.
The value of a mold lawsuit will be entirely dependent on the damages suffered by the plaintiff. In most instances, the types of damages to be considered in a settlement or award include:
There are a number of different persons who could file a mold exposure lawsuit. The most common plaintiff in these types of cases are tenants in rented or leased properties who are made aware of the presence of mold in their homes. Homeowners also encounter molds on a regular basis, and in some instances may be able to seek damages from whoever built/designed the home, or the manufacturer of a product found in the home that caused toxic mold to grow.
Employees may also have the right to file a claim against their employer for exposure to mold, though these claims usually go through the workers' comp system as they are deemed a work injury.
Lastly, consumers who patronize businesses may also be able to file a mold exposure lawsuit. If a private citizen spends a lot of time in a business establishment and said business is not taking steps to protect visitors from dangerous mold, then they may be held accountable for personal injuries and other damages (much like in slip and fall cases.)
Most persons who suffer health complications due to mold exposure are normal, hardworking people. They've been unfortunate to go through a traumatic experience, but they have the ability to leverage the civil justice system to help them get justice.
Civil cases such as mold exposure lawsuits are complicated to navigate and even more difficult to win. By hiring a mold exposure attorney, victims can trust that a legal professional is exploring all avenues for getting them the maximum compensation they need and deserve.
The Maryland Injury Guys only work on contingency, so if we can't secure compensation on your behalf, you'll owe nothing in legal fees. We've chosen to take this stance as it keeps our interests permanently aligned with those of our clients and ensures we are able to devote ourselves to every case we take.