SANTA ROSA TOXIC MOLD LAWYER

Toxic mold, also known as stachybotrys or “black mold,” can cause serious health problems, property damage, and cause structural damage to your home. The experienced and highly skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael A. Fiumara know what to look for if you suspect toxic mold growth or you are suffering from any unexplained flu-like symptoms or the symptoms that we have identified below in your home, apartment, school or office.

10 Things You Should Know About Mold

  1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints, some of them mimicking flu-like symptoms.
  1. Since there is no practical way to eliminate all mold or mold spores in the indoor environment, the best way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture and leaks.
  1. If mold is a problem in your home, school or the place that you work, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture or have the landlord or employer do the same. Put all requests in writing.
  1. Fix or repair the source of water leakage problem to prevent mold growth.
  1. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: Ventilating bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture generating sources to the outside by using air conditioners and dehumidifiers, increasing attic and exhaust ventilation and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, using the dishwasher, and clothes dryer.
  1. Clean and dry up any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
  1. Clean mold off of hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles that are moldy may need to be completely replaced.
  1. Prevent condensation by reducing the potential for condensation on cold surfaces like windows, piping, exterior walls, on the roof or floors. This is done by adding extra insulation and corking.
  1. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, it is advisable not to install carpeting as in areas where there are drinking fountains or classroom sinks or on concrete floors with leaks with frequent condensation. This spreads the infestation of mold.
  1. Mold can be found almost anywhere. Mold can grow on virtually any surface, especially if moisture is present. There are various types of mold that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Source: The Center for Disease Controls National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH).

SIGNS OF TOXIC MOLD

There are several spaces in a home or your apartment that can accelerate the spread of toxic mold. However, if you are concerned about your health and safety, please contact a professional to examine those areas of your home where mold may be growing:

  • Densely cramped storage areas.
  • Hot or steamy areas like your kitchen or bathroom.
  • Flooded or areas that remain damp and musty.
  • Areas with former or present plumbing leaks or spills.
  • All humid and poorly ventilated areas of your home or apartment.

TOXIC MOLD EXPOSURE CAUSES A VARIETY OF DEBILIATATING PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS:

  • Sinus difficulty, including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal blockage.
  • Red, itchy, and watery eyes.
  • Chronic cough or breathing difficulties.
  • Tiredness.
  • Rashes.
  • Migraine headaches and even memory loss.
  • The most extreme exposure to toxic mold can cause symptoms similar to dementia and Alzheimer’s as was the case in the famous “Mold Queen” TOXIC MOLD CASE from Texas–eventually winning a judgment against Farmers Insurance for $34,000,000.00, but later appeals reduced this amount. .http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2003-03-21/150675/

Permanent health aliments– so hire an experienced toxic mold attorney now

In addition to the above mentioned toxic mold symptoms that resemble a cold or an allergy attack, if exposure to a dangerous strain of mold continues, you may experience something worse! You or a loved one may experience constant headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss, persistent fatigue, rashes or sores on the skin, short-term memory loss and the signs of Alzheimer’s and all kinds of respiratory ailments including repeated episodes of bronchitis, sinus infections, and even coughing that produces blood! Unfortunately, you and family members who continue to inhale toxic mold for a longer period of time can get much sicker. There have been studies where those who have been exposed to toxic mold could suffer permanent health ailments such as long-term memory loss, brain damage, blindness, bleeding in the lungs, various types of cancer, and even death.

If you or a loved one have experienced these types of symptoms and medical conditions and are concerned about toxicmold exposure in your apartment, home, school or wherever you live, we encourage you to immediately visit your primary care physician and then immediately contact us at (855) 247-3190, 24/7. If you call after hours, one of our helpful and professional operators will connect you to one of our toxic mold attorneys immediately.

You may also contact one of our experienced and highly skilled toxic mold attorneys at our conveniently located Santa Rosa office in Sonoma County at (707) 571-8600 or at our Marin County office located in Palm Springs, California at (760) 832-6118.

CALIFORNIA’S LEGAL RESPONSE

California is one of only a few states with mold related legislation. California passed the “Toxic Mold Protection Act of 2001,”underCalifornia Health andSafety CodeSection 26100.In this legislation, the State Department of Health Services has been designated as the lead agency in the adoption of permissible exposure limits to mold in indoor environments, mold identification and remediation efforts, and the development of guidelines for the determination of what constitutes mold infestation.

Further, California also requires that landlords provide prospective tenants with written disclosure if the landlord is aware or has reason to believe, that mold exists on the premises and either exceeds permissible limits or otherwise poses a health threat to a potential tenant. This responsibility of the landlord exists even where mold is concealed or invisible. Landlords may also be liable if mold renders a property unfit for human occupation or results from a landlord’s failure to repair leaks.

WE CAN SUE EVERYONE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE

If you have been exposed to toxic mold and are suffering from mold related illnesses in the North Bay region including Sonoma and Marin Counties, please contact our experienced team of toxic mold lawyers. We can help not only individuals but groups of tenants and other victims to recover damages from landlords, employers, construction firms, property sellers or others whose negligence or wrongful acts contributed to your illness and poor health.

CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY

First and foremost, we have an interest in representing injured individuals who have been wronged by insurance carriers, landlords, and employers.  Second, we have the resources and experience to get the job done.  Third, we work only on a contingency fee basis so that you can afford our legal services.  You only pay if we win for you.  Fourth, our results speak for themselves and we have won millions of dollars for our injured plaintiff clients since 1992;  and we intend to continue that tradition in the practice of law on your behalf too.  Fifth, you can read about our excellent recommendations and reviews from satisfied clients and colleagues alike at AVVO https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/95405-ca-michael-fiumara-109708/endorsements.html

which has given us a superb rating.  Finally, we have recently been nominated Top 100 Trial Lawyers, http://www.thenationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Michael/Fiumara/13477/

 

 

Please call our office at (707) 571-8600 in our centrally located Santa Rosa office in Sonoma County or call our office in Palm Springs in Marin County at (760) 832-6118 to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. If  you call us after hours or on weekends, please ask one of our professional and compassionate operators to please connect you with one of our experienced and skilled personal injury attorneys.

 

—“The right attorney makes all the difference.”