It’s a story that so many Americans are facing these days: toxic mold. For Jason and Kerri Brown it wasn’t so much of a story as nightmare.
The Brown family, which included their two year old daughter, had just purchased a foreclosed, five-bedroom home, in the Appalachian Mountains. They began renovations on the home. While removing one of the old book cases, Kerri and her father discovered a passage-way leading to a hidden room. Outside the room was a note reading “You Found It.” The remainder of the note indicated the author was a previous owner who had severe exposure to toxic mold which forced the family to move-out.
The Browns immediately had an environmental engineer take air quality samples of the room. The results revealed high levels of three specific types of mold: Stachybotrys, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. All three types of mold are very common in damp indoor environments as well as being harmful to human health.
The author of the note, George Leventis, claims he informed his broker as well as the mortgage company about the existence of this mold infested room, but none of his communications was ever returned.
As for the Browns, they have moved out of the house and are now renting. They have sued the broker and home loan corporation under the theory that they knew about the moldy conditions but failed to disclose.
Fannie Mae agreed to buy back the home and was dismissed from the lawsuit. The broker, Sue Bakx, claimed to have knowledge of the voicemail but questioned its veracity. She entered into a confidential settlement with the Browns but claims no knowledge of mold.
If you or someone you know has been effected by a situation similar to the Browns, call the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson for your free mold evaluation.