1. Take Pictures

You need to take pictures of anything that even remotely looks like mold. You will also want to take pictures of water damaged areas. When taking the pictures, make sure to take two of each. One that is a close-up and another that gives a perspective of the location. Also photograph any items of personal property that have been damaged by mold or fungus.

2. Make An Inventory

Document all the items of personal property that have been damaged and what you believe the current values to be. Also write down any out of pocket expenses such a moving costs, hotel bills, cleaning costs etc..

3. Have The Property Tested

It is extremely important to verify the type and levels of mold in your home. We recommend you undertake ALL of the following for complete results.

Air Sampling – this provides a picture of what the air looks like in your room at the given moment in time. It can also identify the type of mold in the air, if any.

Swab Sampling – even if there is no mold in the air at that given time you may still have a mold problem. Swab sampling finds out the type of mold and its concentration on porous and semi-porous materials.

Dust Sampling – lastly, and was is becoming most important, is dust sampling. This is a do-it-yourself test that is shipped to a lab. You vacuum a sample from your carpet or flooring and send it to a lab. I would highly encourage people to undertake this test. http://moldinspectionkit.com/interpret.asp

4. Seek Medical Advice

Allergy/Immunology – you need to get tested to see if you are allergic to mold and/or dust mites.

Blood Testing – blood testing can reveal certain allergies to mold as well as certain mycotoxins in the blood.  http://www.realtimelab.com

VCS Testing – this is an inexpensive way to see if exposure to toxins is effecting you neurologically. http://www.chronicneurotoxins.com

Neuro-Psychology – if you are experiences cognitive issues after exposure to mold such as ADD, brain fog, memory loss and chronic fatigue you see a qualified professional to examine your brain and see how it has been effected by the mold exposure.

5. Document All Communications

Wether you are communicating with a landlord, HOA, property manager or real estate agent, you want to get everything in WRITING. If you speak with a neighbor or another witness go inside the house and write down what that person said noting the date and time. All communications giving the responsible party notice of mold and/or water damage MUST be in writing.

6. Call An Experienced Mold Attorney

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are San Diego Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego County Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

As San Diego Mold Lawyers, we are proud to serve the following areas in San Diego: Alpine, Bonita, Camp Pendleton, Cardiff by the Sea, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, Downtown, Eastlake, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Imperial Beach, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista

Stachybotrys – is generally green or black and is the most famous of the so-called toxic molds. Stachybotrys is considered an indoor mold and is very rarely found in outdoor baseline samples. It is our belief that exposure to stachybotrys can have real and consequential effects on human health especially children, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. As a San Diego mold lawyer, I see real life cases every single day.

Chaetomium – is commonly found in indoor environments. Chaetomium can act as what is known as a marker for Stachybotrys. This is because Stachybotrys is one of the most difficult molds to detect and will often be recognized in testing as Chaetomium. This species of mold produces relatively large, black spores which settle quickly. They do not stay in the air as long as other mold species. This is not to say that even a small does cannot be harmful. See our post here.

Penicillium/Aspergillus – are the two most common mold species found in indoor environments but that can also be very dangerous to your respiratory health. Aspergillus, in particular, release rather small spores which can bury themselves in your lungs making it difficult for the body’s natural defenses to expel them.

If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, in conjunction with severe water damage in your home or rental, I would encourage you to call a San Diego mold lawyer as well as have your property tested by an industrial hygienist.

     Coughing

     Headaches

     Dizziness

     Brain Fog

     Runny Nose and Watery Eyes

     Memory Loss

     Gastrointestinal Problems

     Bloody Noses

     Rashes

     Allergies To Thing Not Allergic To Before

     Hair Loss

     Constant Flu-Like Symptoms

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are San Diego Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego County Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

As mold lawyers, the majority of our clients come to us after having experienced a flood in either their home or rental unit. As experienced mold lawyers, we usually endeavor to provide them with a clear plan on how to avoid mold after a flood.

First, how to you know what to look for? Indoor fungus that has recently grown generally looks black or green. Sometimes we have seen purple or orange depending the subspecies. When mold begins to dry out, or become dormant, it can either remain black or turn a powdery white.

Mold lawyers will tell you that mold can grow within 24 hours but it cannot grow if moisture levels are kept low and the temperature is also kept low. Open windows and doors for awhile if you live in a dry climate. Otherwise, you might want to get a dehumidifier in order to retard the growth of mold.

Move any objects you believe to be infested with fungus to an outdoor or isolated area. Small items that have mold can actually be frozen until it is time to clean them. Once you are sure all moldy items have been removed from the room you may then, and only then, increase the circulation. You don’t want toxic mold being blown all over the room.

Clients always ask mold lawyers what they should do with contaminated items. First, you have to make sure anything this is water damaged is dry. Mold will continue to germinate on all wet items. You may attempt to clean hard-surfaced (non-porous) items outside but be sure to wear a respirator and gloves. Coming in contact, whether by skin, mouth or eyes, with mold spores can be very dangerous to your health. Mold lawyers often encounter situations where the source of the mold is not remediated so you need to continually check your items for new growth.

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are La Jolla Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego County Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

In this article we are going to focus on the VOCs. In mold, we classify these as microbial. Any organism that metabolizes lets off an volatile organic compound. When the metabolite is emitted into the air it can produce quite pungent and unpleasant odors. Studies have found an association between exposure to microbial volatile organic compounds and eye irritation, upper respiratory symptoms, allergy and persistent cold. There have also been links to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea. There are difficulties in determining the levels of mVOCs in rental unit but it is generally understood that the smell of a musty odor is indication of mVOCs in the air.

This musty smell, or mVOC, is often overlooked as a potential health threat. Common volatile organic compounds are benzene, ketone and formaldehyde. When these compounds come from mold we stick an “m” in front and call them “microbial.” Many people are deceived by mold tests, in particular, air sampling. Air sampling only tells you the spore count in the air. If the spore count is low, most people assume that they are not being effected by mold. To the contrary, if you are smelling strong musty odors than you are most definitely being effected by mold.

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are Clairemont Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego County Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

Josephine Chesson and several other employees of the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church in Columbia, Md., filed workers’ compensation claims, blaming various illnesses on mold exposure and fungus discovered in a wall cavity at their offices in November 2002.

Shoemaker was initially contacted by church authorities and asked to screen, and possibly treat, employees after aspergillus and stachybotrys mold species were identified in the building.

The claimants argued that a Frye-Reed hearing was unnecessary as Shoemaker would testify as a treating physician.

Howard County Circuit Judge Daniel Moylan agreed, and declined to order an admissibility hearing.

“We’re talking about a board-certified physician, who has devoted, apparently, in the last five or six years, more than fifty percent of his time to this area [mold] of specialty, and I’m satisfied that this is not a Frye-Reed situation, it’s ‘diagnosis by a medical practitioner . . . ,’” Judge Moylan said in a transcript.

“And while they have not adopted, or adapted his publications, and things that he has developed; he’s published widely in his field, he’s gone to law school, and consulted, and he’s indicated he’s worked with a number of other doctors in this area [mold exposure]; I’m satisfied that he’s qualified to render opinions in this area, and his opinions would be admissible in the things you mentioned that go to their weight, rather than their admissibility,” the judge concluded.

The carrier then appealed to Maryland’s high court, which ruled in May 2007 that the trial court abused its discretion in declining to hold an admissibility hearing before allowing Shoemaker’s testimony, and remanded for the sole purpose of holding a Frye-Reed hearing.

On remand to the Circuit Court, the parties agreed that evidence supported links between mold and respiratory illness, so the issue considered at the hearing was whether the relevant medical community accepts links between mold and cognitive and musculoskeletal injuries, and whether that community accepts Shoemaker’s diagnostic methods.

In ruling that Shoemaker’s methods meet the Frye-Reed criteria, Judge Moylan offered an extensive review of Shoemaker’s treatment of patients exposed to mold or water-damaged buildings, including the physicians use of cholestyramine.

The judge also described Shoemaker’s two-tier protocol, under which it is determined that patients “have the potential for exposure to a water damaged building or buildings [with mold], and the absence of any untreated and uncontrolled medical illnesses or conditions what could be a confounder” (Tier One).

A “Tier Two” analysis includes blood tests and other diagnostic tests among six criteria, the judge explained.

Judge Moylan also noted that “No United States government agency or organization has yet established a standard to determine a safe range or a dangerous range of indoor mold levels. In Canada, there is no standard either, yet the established practice is that if there is visible mold, mold odors, or if the occupants are getting sick, then the premises should be vacated and remediation undertaken.”

The admissibility of experts to prove causation in cases of water-damaged buildings is one of first impression in Maryland, and decisions from other jurisdictions are instructive, Judge Moylan said. Mold lawyers in San Diego should pay close attention to the reasoning of Judge Moylan and utilize these against defense mold lawyers.

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are Encinitas Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a North County San Diego Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

The action was filed in June in the Sacramento County (Calif.) Superior Court and was removed in August to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. Plaintiffs filed an amended, eight-count complaint in federal court on Dec. 22.

Christina Mitchell and other plaintiffs say they have suffered water intrusion, mold, wood rot and other ills since purchasing homes constructed by Skyline, which is based in Folsom, Calif. Further, some Plaintiffs are already experiencing effects of mold exposure. Mold generally only take 24 hours to incubate.

Skyline sold a total of 2,712 homes in fiscal year 2009, ranging in size from 400 to 1,600 square feet, according to plaintiffs.

Homes typically are constructed with an asphalt-coated paper or felt barrier, or plastic sheet material, attached to the structure beneath any siding materials. Such barriers typically cost between $300 and $500 for materials and labor and their absence can result in thousands of dollars in damage to the homes, according to the amended complaint.

Plaintiffs fear that based on the inherent design flaws that home will be riddled with water damage, mold and fungus.

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are Del Mar Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

Mold Inspector

If you anticipate proceeding with litigation against a responsible party, the person you have do the mold testing is as important as anything else because that person will probably be called upon to testify on your behalf. A Certified Industrial Hygienist (“CIH”) is the ideal person to do mold inspections. A CIH has studied and passed examination in a number of disciplines giving he/she superior knowledge in the area indoor environmental controls. The downside is that a CIH is generally very expensive.

We usually recommend a Certified Mold Inspector for our clients as there is a good balance between the quality of the report and the price.

As La Jolla Mold Attorneys, we can recommend you to high quality vendors to suit your needs.

Mold Report

Depending on who you go to, once you get your mold report back, you might not know how to interpret the results. First, we look at the indoor samples vs. the outdoor samples. Generally, if the indoor sample is not at least 2-3 times as high as the outdoor sample than an indoor source may be difficult to determine. Second, we look at the species of mold identified. Certain types of mold will only grow inside and vice versa. If we see a large quantity of one type inside but that same species not present outside, it is easy to determine the indoor source.

These are just two of the factors to consider when evaluating a case of fungal exposure in La Jolla, California.

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are La Jolla Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

No one with a compromised immune system, a history of respiratory problems or who is sick should participate in any mold remediation.

The source of moisture must be identified and all areas of infested mold should be cleaned. But, cleaning may not be an option if the area is porous or semi-porous. At that point, all areas should be removed.

Mold should not be allowed to touch bare skin. Eyes and lungs should be protected from mold exposure.

Proper containment is necessary.

Residents who do undertake clean-up are encouraged to work over short periods of time and take plenty of breaks to get some fresh air.

Keep in mind that we feel these guidelines to be very conservative in nature. By conservative, we mean that MORE caution should be undertaken than the guidelines provide. We recommend that tenants never clean mold themselves especially after they have been sick. We also advise clients that bleach will ONLY be effective on non-porous surfaces not wood and drywall. Regardless, always contact your landlord when you first suspect mold in your unit.

OSHA once had the recommendation that bleach was an effective method of mold remediation. OSHA has since removed that recommendation. The EPA edited their indoor air quality document to exclude the use of bleach as an acceptable method of mold clean-up. The reason for this is simple: bleach is not effective in getting to the roots of mold on semi-porous and porous materials.  Bleach may remove what is on the surface but will not get to the source of the problem.   

If you report a suspected mold problem to your landlord and your landlord tells you to clean it with bleach or has someone come out to clean it with bleach immediately inform them that this is not an effective solution. Also, tell your landlord you need an air quality test and a remediation expert to assess the problem.   Regardless of whether your landlord listens to you requests, call a Rancho Santa Fe Mold Attorney right away to find out your rights with respect to your hime and your families health. 

We at the Law Office of Harold D. Thompson are Rancho Santa Fe Mold Lawyers who will vigorously fight against the insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation your deserve. If you believe that you or someone you know has been effected by toxic mold call a San Diego Mold Lawyer that will fight for your rights. Call us TODAY at 619.615.0767 or visit our website www.ThompsonLawSD.com

Initially, it seems like something that building maintenance could handle, but upon further inspection they found significant water leaks that had not been addressed by the landlord. Jagger hired mold inspectors who found high levels of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys.

By the end of 2001, with Jagger’s health in disarray, she was forced to move from the unit because the conditions were intolerable.

In 2003, Jagger stopped paying rent on her $4600-a-month apartment. Each month she puts the full amount into an escrow account while the City undertakes an investigation.

In 2004, she filed suit against her landlord, Katz Park Avenue. That lawsuit is still in the midst of litigation today.