We can not express how happy we are to have had the pleasure of Pike & Lustig to represent us. If you believe that there is harmful mold on your property, you should notify an expert to determine if the mold is actually toxic. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. 1209 N Olive Ave West Palm Beach, FL 33401, 3801 PGA Boulevard Suites 600 & 602 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, 777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 500 Miami, FL 33131. The lack of any formal guidelines on how much mold is too much is part of why regulation hasn't existed until now, and why tenants have a hard time arguing for damages in court. Removal of mold typically requires the destruction of all infected materials, such as sheet rock, floorboards, and … If mold does exist, however, it could pose certain risks. A recent mold-related landlord-tenant dispute in West Palm Beach has shed light on the legality of the issue. However, North Carolina law requires landlords to fix excessive standing water, sewage, or flooding problems caused by plumbing leaks or inadequate drainage that contribute to mold (N.C. Gen. Stat. Before filing a complaint, you should try to resolve the issue with your landlord, managing agent, or superintendent. This law firm website and legal marketing are managed by MileMark Media. They truly do work hard for you and we had a better outcome than originally expected and we can't thank them enough for how well they represented my husband and I. With every apartment that gets turned over to private management, public housing officials wipe away mold fixes and other unfinished work, an advocacy group charges. How Our Columbia Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help. Here are some examples of lawsuitsresulting in high-dollar awards to those who suffered because of toxic mold: A Group in California A group in California was awarded $1.3 million for claims against contractors that performed work so poorly it caused leaks and allowed mold to enter their homes. The causes of toxic mold contamination are many, but often can be linked to defective … He truly cares and is about results. Mike Pike and his team were extremely helpful and professional. While searching for an apartment in Columbia or surrounding areas, determining if mold is present may not be something that crosses your mind. It will depend on the specific coverage your p… If you have renters insurance - and we recommend all renters purchase insurance for their own protection - it may cover the cost of some of your belongings if they are ruined by mold. Pike and Lustig were amazing handling our car accident. Mold is one of the most common types of fungus, and nearly all homes throughout the United States have a small amount of mold within them. § 42-42). He is personable (which is rare these days) and his communication with me throughout the process was prompt and thorough. can help you to understand what to do next. In recent years, mold has become a known issue. Mike Pike handled our injury claim for Michael Cecere. Very happy with his service. His staff was also very helpful and organized. Great job. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Keep in mind that even if you have not suffered any injuries, your landlord is still responsible for ensuring that the apartment is habitable, and must remove mold as such. He was professional, knowledgeable and extremely helpful- a real superstar. Pushed the case and got us a great settlement. While a little mold is normal and harmless, too much mold, and certain types of mold, can be dangerous for human health. Courts in New York have recognized two common legal self-help strategies that some tenants choose to pursue following a mold outbreak in their apartment or rental home. Meanwhile, the number of outstanding repairs recently hit a record 475,000. If the problem goes unresolved, our Columbia personal injury lawyers at the offices of the Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A. For those with mold sensitivities or certain health conditions, exposure to mold may result in: Even in people who do not have mold allergies or mold sensitivities, however, research indicates that exposure to mold can cause upper respiratory tract infections, shortness of breath, and the potential development of asthma. He listened to all my concerns. We're here in an apartment dealing with a renter and a landlord, with an argument over mold. I recommend him And his firm. Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A., is located in Columbia, SC and serves clients in and around Newberry, Lexington, Sumter, Allendale, Orangeburg, St. Matthews, Bishopville, Florence, Blythewood, State Park, Eastover, Columbia, Elgin, Irmo, Hopkins, Ridgeway, Lugoff, Ballentine, West Columbia, Kershaw, Camden, Dusty Bend, and Richland County, Lexington County, Calhoun County, Orangeburg County, Sumter County, Kershaw County, Newberry County, Fairfield County, Lee County, Clarendon County and Florence County. According to the Missouri Business Alert. San Diego toxic mold and environmental injury attorneys Jeff LaFave and Katie Schuler recently settled a lawsuit brought by two former tenants for $500,000. Tenant Exposed to Toxic Mold Gets $250,000 Settlement A tenant's lawsuit claimed he was sickened when an improperly repaired water leak allowed mold to … The front desk staff at Pike & Lustig is AMAZING! What to Do If You Find Mold in Your Apartment Step One: Make sure it is, in fact, mold.. cbs12.com/news/local/county-not-able-to-issue-violations-for-mold-in-west-palm-beach-moms-apartment, https://www.turnpikelaw.com/how-pain-and-suffering-is-determined/. Highly recommended. I look forward to working with his team for all my legal needs. You can report mold in your apartment or in a public area of an apartment building. Very good trial attorneys. They all went above and beyond as far as I'm concern they are the best. Missouri Mold Laws . Mold in Apartment & Tenant Rights. As a result, the woman’s daughter, a toddler, developed breathing problems. Mold on the living room ceiling could spread and end up damaging your living room furniture. fax: (803) 788-7432 Her daughter was hospitalized three times due to respiratory problems, and the woman thinks mold is to blame. If you discover mold in your apartment, your first action should be to send a written notice to your landlord of the mold. There are also a handful of more serious illnesses that have been linked to mold exposure, but this link has not yet been proven. What Should You Do if You Find Mold in Your Rental Apartment? Typically, lawsuits such as these are filed in small claims court. You can actually talk to Mike as opposed to other attorneys. a leak, mold underneath carpet from before you moved in, etc.) If you're renting your residence, your landlord or property manager could be liable for health problems and damage to personal property stemming from mold exposure (renter's insurance could also come into play to cover property damage). With two quick consultations by phone, a review of the agreements and IP in question, and a powerfully written response to a frivolous cease and desist I received, my issue was handled fairly, swiftly, and to my complete satisfaction. Mold Information for Tenants fact sheet, p02069c (PDF): Basic information for tenants dealing with mold concerns. Breath of fresh air and I felt like I actually had an advocate in my corner! If you are renting an apartment in South Carolina, it is important that you know that your landlord has a legal duty to ensure that the apartment is free from any health or safety hazards, and is fit to be lived in. If you discover mold in your apartment, your first action should be to send a written notice to your landlord of the mold. We can advise you regarding bringing forth a lawsuit against your landlord, as well as how to demand repairs/mold removal from your landlord and other potential steps to take. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Can I File a Lawsuit? Most landlord-tenant disputes, including those involving the presence of mold, are handled out of court. Thousands of lawsuits over mold infestation in residential buildings and apartments are filed and litigated every year. Mr. Pike is very knowledgeable, no-nonsense, straight shooting, and positively aggressive in his approach, which is exactly what I needed. P.S. Toxic mold has been known to cause a number of severe injuries and health conditions, including respiratory problems, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and skin irritation. You should also photograph the mold in the apartment, and keep documentation of any contact you have with your landlord. Jonathan Leonard said he paid a mold remediation company $300 to evaluate his apartment in August. Mike Pike handled my injury case and did and excellent job! Compensatory damages are intended to cover actual losses related to an injury or illness. 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