Building and owning a property can benefit individuals and investors. These investments give you stability and enjoy the potential for significant financial returns. It also helps you feel accomplished because you can customize it to fit specific needs and preferences.
Sadly, sometimes others may forget to tidy the space, which leads to toxic mold exposure. It’s a growing concern that can cause health issues and property damage, and those affected can consult a construction defect attorney to seek compensation.
If you want to hold negligent people accountable, this blog post will explain the warning signs of toxic mold and those responsible for this issue on your property. We’ll also teach you how to handle these unwanted spores in other properties.
What Are the Warning Signs of Toxic Mold?
Symptoms of toxic mold exposure may include a runny nose, breathing difficulties, itchy eyes, allergies, fever, or difficulty breathing. In severe cases, mold exposure can cause memory loss, liver issues, pneumonia, lung damage, and joint pain.
You should also know that exposure to these harmful spores can increase the risk and severity of your health problems like asthma, allergies, depression, sinus infections, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). If you’ve experienced these symptoms, contact a professional construction defect attorney to start building your case and seek immediate medical attention.
5 Entities That May Be Responsible for Toxic Mold on Your Property
After discussing the warning signs of toxic mold, this section will enumerate the parties you can hold accountable for their negligent actions.
1. Architect or Engineer
A poorly-ventilated home can cause rapid mold growth. It happens when the architect or engineer who created the house makes a poor design. They may be responsible for mold infestation if they don’t include proper ventilation systems.
2. Realtor
You can hold the realtor accountable if they sell a home with a mold infestation without properly inspecting and disclosing the issue to buyers. Their responsibility is to reveal information that affects the property value, and you can sue them if they don’t.
3. Previous Owner
If the seller knew about a mold infestation but didn’t disclose it, they may be liable for violating disclosure laws. Most states require sellers to reveal the presence of hazardous substances like mold.
4. Builders and Contractors
If toxic mold happens because of poor craft or improper ventilation, you could prove the builder’s or contractor’s negligence and claim compensation. If there’s a warranty, you can claim that they breached it. It’s also the best time to consult a professional construction defect attorney.
5. Construction Supplier
Sometimes mold growth in a house can happen because of moldy construction materials that a third-party supplier uses. If you trace the mold problem to these materials, you could hold the supplier responsible for the infestation.
How Can I Handle Mold at School?
You can find mold in community buildings like schools, and if someone suffers from toxic mold exposure at school, you could hold the educational institution liable. However, sovereign immunity may protect public schools from a lawsuit.
How Can I Handle Mold at Work?
You could get workers’ compensation if you get sick from the mold at work. If the property owner was negligent or didn’t disclose the issue, you can take legal action by consulting a construction defect attorney.
How Can I Handle Mold in a Plaintiff-Rented or Leased Building?
Tenants can hold landlords responsible for mold in a rented or leased building under the legal doctrine of “implied warranty of habitability.” They can also sue for damages if they’ve suffered from toxic mold exposure and take legal action to get compensation.
Conclusion
Nobody deserves to suffer from toxic mold exposure because it can cause severe health issues, especially if they have sensitive respiratory or immune systems. You can seek compensation by seeking immediate medical attention and consulting a professional construction defect attorney.
If you need a professional construction defect attorney in Birmingham for your toxic mold exposure case, consult Edge Lawyers! We are Alabama’s premier construction litigation law firm committed to helping you hold negligent professionals accountable. Schedule a consultation now!
