Many people think of health risks as being significant, large scale problems that they must deal with face to face. However, there can be silent, yet deadly little things that float around in the air and in your home without you knowing. Toxic mold is just such a thing and, especially if you rent or are planning on buying a new home, you should learn how to look for toxic mold and what health risks it can pose.
What is Toxic Mold?
Toxic mold is a form of fungus found in nature. Most other forms of mold are perfectly non-harmful. Others are incredibly poisonous and can cause a wide array of illnesses if breathed in too much. Black molds can even cause death in people with allergies and small children. Black mold is generally found on foam board insulation where there is no air circulation to let the wall breathe. It can also grow in damp places or on materials like carpet, wood, cardboard, leaves, wallpaper, or straw – anything that contains a decent amount of cellulose – a material that the mold feeds off of.
How to Handle Mold
Mold can be a part of your home already, or grow as a result of the insulation or building materials used for construction. If you notice that there is such mold, or just suspect it is possible, your home owner’s insurance will generally cover inspection and repair of the problem. If they do not cover the cost, you can bring a lawsuit against them to compel payment anytime within the statute of limitations – usually 1-3 years in most states.
For those that live in rentals or who bought a home without knowing about the mold, you may be able to bring suit against anyone that was aware of the mold or was negligent in dealing with the conditions that created it. You will need to prove negligence to the degree that they knew or should have known that the mold would form, and still let you live in the home.
Ultimately, toxic mold is a very dangerous and potentially deadly problem that can appear in any home. If you suspect it is a problem in yours, you need to act as quickly as possible to solve the problem.
This article is not intended as legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for further information.
Learn more: Visit Weinstein Law Firm for Fort Lauderdale, Florida legal assistance.