Black mold exists naturally in the environment and can cause damage to property and health. At Thompson Injury Law, we are environmental trial lawyers who represent clients in the San Diego area who have experienced losses due to black mold. We fight to help them recover compensation payouts that address the harms they have suffered.
Discovering you have black mold can be a serious blow and can deeply impact your financial, emotional, and physical well-being. Mold remediation in San Diego typically runs into thousands of dollars, and the health costs can stretch the limits of your insurance and bank accounts. But you may not have to shoulder these burdens on your own.
If you are dealing with one of these environmental hazards caused by someone else, Thompson Injury Law can help you pursue recompense for the damages and injuries you have suffered. Contact our office today to speak with an experienced environmental attorney who cares and is ready to listen and fight for you.
Black Mold in San Diego
There are thousands of different types of black mold, with Stachybotrys Chartaum being one of the most common that affects humans. These species are typically black or dark green in appearance, but black and other types of molds can take on a variety of colors.
Conditions Favoring Black Mold Development
The tradeoff for living in beautiful San Diego is dealing with the constant threat of black mold, especially for those who live, work, or go to school near the ocean. Coastal humidity helps this threat thrive.
Humidity can also come from other sources, most notably fallacies and defects present in a home or other building, such as:
- Compromised water and waste pipes
- Leaking air conditioners
- Inadequate ventilation
- Leaky roofs
- Flooding
Enclosed spaces also increase the likelihood of the development of this toxin.
Although black mold thrives in San Diego, if you are exposed to this toxic substance, you may have a claim for compensation for the injuries and property damage you experience. A San Diego toxic mold lawyer can help.
Negative Consequences of Black Mold
Black mold can lead to the damage of extensive property and human health. If you experience exposure to toxic mold on a regular basis, it is important to remedy the situation by removing the mold or yourself from the room or building where it is present.
If the exposure has been occurring for a while, you may be exhibiting symptoms of exposure, such as:
- Bouts of sneezing
- Persistent, unexplained cough
- Irritation of the throat
- Wheezing
- Tightness of the chest or abdomen
- Nosebleeds
- Aching muscles
Indeed, long-term exposure to black mold can lead to the development of serious health conditions of the upper respiratory tract and exacerbate pre-existing conditions.
Compensation for Harms Caused by Black Mold
In many cases, people are exposed to black mold through no fault of their own, which means many exposure victims have the right to pursue compensation for the losses caused by the exposure.
Who can be held liable?
It depends on the situation. If you are a renter, and your home contains mold, your landlord may be liable for violating the implied warranty of habitability. If you are a homeowner and have mold, you may have a claim against various parties, depending on how the mold originated, including:
- Sellers or real estate agents for failure to disclose a real estate defect
- Construction contractors for using moldy or shoddy materials
- Plumbers who do substandard pipework
In the workplace, employees who develop illnesses due to black mold exposure can avail themselves of workers’ comp insurance. Additionally, they may also potentially file a third-party suit against the party that is responsible for the black mold, such as a building owner or a contractor.
How much can you get for my losses?
California law provides a list of damages that you may seek to recover. Each one must be directly caused by the black mold and verifiable. For example, the medical costs to treat you for exposure may be sought as well as compensation for the income you have lost due to staying home from work. You can also seek to recover your expenses for making your home or building habitable.
Various non-financial losses may also be recouped, including:
- Pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Loss of the enjoyment of life and consortium
- Permanent disability
Although the seriousness of your losses is instrumental in how much you will receive for your suffering, having an experienced attorney is equally important. Two identical cases can receive vastly different compensation awards based on the presence or absence of a seasoned environmental trial attorney.
Contact Thompson Injury Law Today for Help with Your San Diego Black Mold Claim
If you or your property has been exposed to black mold and are dealing with losses, Thompson Injury Law may be able to help. Contact our office and take the first step toward remedying your situation and getting compensation for the damages caused by others. Call our firm to speak with a San Diego environmental claims attorney today.
Thompson Injury Law handles black mold cases all around the San Diego metropolitan area; this includes areas such as Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, La Mesa, National City, Oceanside, San Marcos, Santee, and Vista.
