While Florida’s warm, subtropical climate makes it an ideal place to call home, the humid air also creates the optimal environment for mold infestations. Toxic mold exposure can be harmful to individuals occupying an infested home, apartment, or condominium in Hialeah, and can cause thousands in structural damage to a residence. Mold is often due to water intrusion in the home from events like rainstorms, flooding, or even a burst water pipe. The moisture that follows these scenarios frequently causes the growth of toxic mold and warrants the need for mold remediation.
If you have suffered property damage or have developed health problems because of a mold infestation in your residence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses, including the cost to get rid of the mold. The mold damage lawyers at Schlacter Law have been helping Hialeah residents win mold damage settlements for years. Whether you are battling a landlord or property insurance company, we have the experience and skills to litigate personal injury and property damage mold claims. We fight for maximum compensation to ensure your property gets back to safe conditions as quickly as possible.
Mold is a fungus that is omnipresent in nature. Mold spores continually float through the air and can enter the home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets and be carried indoors.
Mold spreads through spores that float through the air before depositing on wet or damp surfaces. Indoors, these places include areas of excessive moisture such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, and walls, areas of condensation, or where there has been recent flooding. Many common Hialeah home building materials provide suitable nutrients for mold growth including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood and wood products. Mold can also grow on dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet fabric, and upholstery.
The most obvious sign of mold damage is visible mold growth. Some molds might appear white and thread-like. Others appear in clusters of small, pepper-like black or green spots. Mold in Hialeah homes can be a variety of colors, but the most common colonies found in homes will usually be gray-brown, black, gray-green, or white.
Mold colonies are also associated with a distinct odor. While not all molds produce a smell, many do. If you smell a persistent musty odor, there might be mold hidden somewhere in your home.
Aside from the actual site or smell of mold, there are certain tell-tale signs that indicate mold may be growing hidden behind your walls, ceilings, or beneath your flooring. Cracked or peeling paint, any discoloration or wet marks, wood warping, and bulging or bubbling wallpaper are obvious indications of moisture. In the presence of moisture or water, mold will begin to grow in Hialeah buildings in as little as twenty-four to forty-eight hours. If you notice any of these signs of moisture, a closer look might also reveal the beginnings of small amounts of mold growth. Additionally, seeing small spots of mold on a wall can sometimes indicate that there is actually a larger mold colony on the other side of the wall which is slowly growing through. Mold that grows behind vinyl and wallpaper might be orange, pink, or purple in color. It is important to remember that mold is more than just an unsightly nuisance in the home. Mold will feed on and break down organic matter, causing structural damage and threatening the integrity of your home.
Finally, an allergic reaction or allergy-related symptoms can indicate there could be mold growth hidden in the home. If you are not sure whether your symptoms are caused by mold in your home, consider whether your symptoms improve once you go outside or leave the home. If they do improve, there is a good chance mold is causing your symptoms.
Mold exposure can cause many health effects. Symptoms of mold allergies include:
Coughing Sneezing Sore, itchy throat Congestion and runny nose Sinus headaches Burning, watery eyes Irritated, itchy skinPeople with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have more severe reactions including upper respiratory tract symptoms, chronic coughing, and wheezing. Individuals with chronic respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may experience difficulty breathing. People with immune suppression or underlying lung diseases are at an increased risk for fungal infections from molds.
Certain molds in Hialeah homes are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins–called mycotoxins–that can harm humans. The most infamous of the toxic molds that can be found growing in homes is Stachybotrys atra, also referred to as “black mold.” Some research suggests that the mycotoxins released from black mold may have a link to serious health problems including:
Nose bleeds Aches and pains Headaches Changes in mood Memory loss [1]It is important to note that all molds–not just black molds–are capable of producing mycotoxins but the presence of mold does not necessarily mean that it is producing these toxins.
Another such health concern of black or toxic mold exposure is mycotoxicosis or mold poisoning. However, most cases of mycotoxicosis result from eating moldy food, rather than from inhaling fungal spores. There is no definitive evidence to indicate that inhaling or touching mold can cause mycotoxicosis. However, all molds in the home should be promptly removed.
Mold can cause serious illness and property damage. If you find mold in your home, apartment building, or condominium, it is important to address the issue immediately with the appropriate authority or entity.
If you rent or lease your residence in Hialeah, contact your landlord or building manager as soon as you suspect mold. While Florida law requires landlords to provide a safe and habitable living environment for tenants, there are no laws that specifically address the landlord’s responsibilities regarding mold prevention and remediation. However, if the mold was a result of the landlord’s negligence or lack of maintenance, the landlord will be legally responsible for removing the mold once they are made aware of the problem. If a tenant gets sick because of exposure to mold, the landlord could also be responsible for damages in addition to remediation costs. If you were made sick because of toxic mold in your building, contact a toxic mold attorney for more information on how to proceed.
For Hialeah homeowners, you may be able to file a claim for mold damage through your homeowner’s insurance policy. Depending on your policy, your insurance may cover mold damage if it was caused by a “covered peril.” As mold growth is associated with water or excess moisture, common water-related covered perils include:
Accidental discharge or overflow of water from burst pipes or faulty plumbing Falling objects Damage caused by vehicles Fire Lightening Frozen pipesIt is important to note that the cause of the mold damage must be sudden or accidental and not the result of poor home maintenance or neglect. For example, homeowners insurance may cover mold damage resulting from a washing machine hose suddenly breaking and releasing water. On the other hand, if mold damage results after you fail to repair a long-term leaky toilet, homeowners insurance would likely not pay for repairs.
When filing a claim for mold damage with your insurance company, it is best to consult a local mold damage lawyer. Insurance companies are notorious for denying or undervaluing mold damage claims, and you may have trouble being fully compensated for mold removal and remediation. The team at Schlacter Law has years of experience helping the residents of Hialeah with mold damage claims. We take the time to sift through policy jargon to find coverage for your mold damage. We employ industry experts in mold detection and remediation to build a case for full claim coverage, ensuring you will get the maximum settlement possible for your mold damages. The mold damage team at Schlacter Law has the expertise and drive to make sure your case is handled quickly and completely.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323419#how-dangerous-is-it ↩
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