Mold and Toxic Substance Claims: Personal Injury
Black mold and other toxic substances like pesticides, asbestos and contaminated drinking water can have very serious health consequences. When a person is exposed to toxic substances, they may experience negative symptoms right away. In some cases, it can take years for symptoms to appear; making it difficult to know when the exposure happened. Asbestos is a well-known toxic building material that is no longer used and has been the basis of many successful toxic substance lawsuits.
Symptoms of mold exposure
Common symptoms associated with mold exposure are headaches, fatigue, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion and runny nose, itching and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. If you or a family member is experiencing these symptoms, seek the care of a medical professional right away.
Seek the help of a mold and toxic substance claims attorney
If you or a loved one became sick after being exposed to mold or another toxic substance because of the negligence of another, seek the help of a mold and toxic substance claims attorney right away. The personal injury attorney can discuss your legal rights, answer your questions, and may be able to recover damages on your behalf.
What is mold?
According to the Oregon Health Authority, mold is fungi that grows in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. When mold gets into a building it can cause structural damage and health issues for the people in the building. Mold thrives in moist environments which is why it is so common in the Pacific Northwest. Other factors that contribute to mold growth are leaky plumbing and roofs, clogged gutters and downspouts and moisture collecting on single-pane windows, poorly insulated walls and pipes.
If you smell or see mold in your home take the following steps:
- Take pictures of the mold
- Document any physical symptoms that you are experiencing
- Fix the moisture issue
- Clean up the mold with soap and water and make sure it dries completely. Note: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a professional to clean mold problems bigger than 10 square feet.
- Keep indoor humidity at between 30 and 60 percent with air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers if necessary
- Always use exhaust fans when cooking, showering and doing laundry to suck steam out of the room
- Do a yearly inspection of the ventilation system
- Keep large pieces of furniture several inches away from the walls
These remodeling projects can help to prevent mold:
- Rip up carpeting in kitchens or bathrooms where water is used regularly
- Replace single-paned windows with double-paned
- Repair leaks in plumbing, gutters, foundation and roof
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
