$22.6 MILLION TOXIC-MOLD SETTLEMENT

     It's been all over the news this morning, but in case you haven't heard:

     According to the AP as published on the San Jose Mercury News website (free registration required), a Manhattan Beach, California family has settled with defendants for $22.6 million, making the settlement the largest one in the history of toxic-mold litigation.  The parents alleged that various defendants were responsible for causing brain damage to their child as a result of mold forming in the family's newly-constructed home; the defense countered that the child is autistic and that there is no know cause of autism.

     The case settled after the trial judge ruled that 10 of the 17 defense experts would not be allowed to testify.

     This latest result follows other highly-visible toxic-mold litigation outcomes, which have been mixed.  See "TOXIC MOLD" under "CATEGORIES" on the right-hand side of this page.

Comments

[Black Mold Removal]

This site certainly has all the information I wanted about this subject and
didn't know who to ask.

[Walter]

Great question Marsha. Water dagmae in your home is bad enough. The dagmae left behind can make your happy home look more like a war zone, and the clean up process will take a lot of time and effort. You may even find yourself displaced from your home for a while, which would depress anybody.Unfortunately, there is a far more nefarious problem lurking, namely the problem of mold, the single most common byproduct of water dagmae.Mold occurs all the time in nature. It is a natural part of the outdoor environment, acting as nature’s recycling center, breaking down dead plant and animal tissue. In fact, we encounter mold almost on a daily basis, even inhaling mold spores, with no ill effects. That is because the mold spores are properly dispersed over a wide area and the concentration isn’t enough to cause serious harm.That all changes when mold occurs in the home. Mold can appear in as little as 48 hours following a water dagmae event, and sooner than that if the water is sewage based. Mold establishes itself, spreads rapidly, and can prove almost impossible to remediate. What’s worse, mold brings with it all kinds of health hazards. In many cases, it may be something as mild as allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, or you may experience more serious problems such as respiratory issues, neurological problems, or in rare cases, lung disease.So why the change? Because in interior settings, mold spores are found in much higher concentrations. Inhaling large amounts of an element that is designed to break down tissue can only have less than desirable results.While smaller mold growths may be successfully removed by homeowners, larger growths, say those over two feet in circumference, should be handled by a mold remediation professional.The trick to treating mold goes far beyond simply removing it. Just removing the mold means it will be able to return. The environment has to be treated to make it imposable for mold growth, namely by properly cleaning the affected area and taking steps to improve the ventilation. A dehumidifier may be used to bring down humidity levels in the area. Humidity should be kept to a level less than 50% to ensure that mold does not return. Some people spend a lot of money to have their homes tested for mold. This isn’t necessary in many cases. Mold presents itself as a fuzzy, greenish black growth on walls or pipes, usually accompanied by a noxious, acrid smell. In short, if you suspect you have mold, chances are pretty good that you do. Most water dagmae restoration companies offer mold remediation as one of their many services. They have the personnel, equipment, and are trained on where to look for mold and what to do with it when they find it. They can remove the mold and properly treat the area to prevent it from returning. This means a minimal interruption of your life and your family can be back in your home in no time.Don’t let mold get a foothold in your home. Call your local mold removal professionals today for an inspection and estimate.

[Jason]

Why would the companies settle for such a large amount? There's no proven link between autism and mold. Seems like they're better off rolling the dice with a jury even though the lost some expert testimony.