According to Harvard University, no one knows precisely how many homes have mold hiding in their walls. However, the current estimate is about 70 percent. What is even more alarming is that it is highly unlikely that there is a home in the world without some Stachybotrys (toxic mold) spores in it. Of course, mold can be smelly and unsightly, but what happens if you are exposed to toxic mold?
Toxic Molds Syndrome
Toxic Molds Syndrome (TMS) is an illness that occurs due to exposure to the spores of specific molds in the air. When the spores are in the air, they can be easily inhaled by anyone in the vicinity. These molds produce a poison called mycotoxin. Mycotoxin is widely known for causing severe health issues. Symptoms of TMS include:
- Fever with or without accompanying aches
- Nose and throat irritation
- Burning or watery eyes
- Dizziness
- Lung congestion and shortness of breath
- Nausea
People who suffer from weakened immune systems are more likely to experience the harmful effects of toxic mold. Those with allergies or chronic respiratory illnesses may have more profound symptoms of exposure to toxic mold. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable populations when it comes to the negative consequences of toxic mold exposure.
Risk Factors for Developing Toxic Mold
Specific environments are more at risk than others for developing toxic mold. While mildew found in bathrooms and under lawn furniture is frequently harmless, toxic mold can also thrive there. Areas with poor humidity control, water leaks, or flooding are more prone to developing toxic mold.
Proving a Toxic Mold Case
If exposure to toxic mold could have been avoided by others acting reasonably, you might have a compensation case. Just like all other personal injury cases, there are specific elements that a plaintiff in a toxic mold case or their attorney must prove for the case to be successful.
First, you must establish that the illness or disability occurred due to exposure to toxic molds. Medical records regarding the plaintiff’s lung tissue might be all you need. However, proving the presence of disease, with mold exposure as its cause, is only one element. The victim must also show that mold exposure exists. They also must show that the defendant, sometimes a landlord or other building owner, was negligent in preventing or removing the conditions causing the mold.
Furthermore, the plaintiff or their attorney must be able to prove their damages. Damages in toxic mold cases can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Relocation costs
- Lost productivity due to a chronic illness
- Pain and suffering are also compensated, especially if the plaintiff has lived with toxic-mold illnesses for a lengthy period of time
Damage awards are meant to compensate the victim for both economic and non-economic tolls from mold exposure. Toxic mold injury sufferers can recover more than just the cost of medical bills. The courts may also award monetary value for the treatment, relocation, or eradication of the mold.
A judge in the case can award what is known as punitive damages. These are meant to punish the defendant and deter them and others from making the same harmful decisions in the future, whether they are property owners or the supplier of faulty materials. Punitive damage awards can be relatively high, if necessary, to make the defendant understand the enormity of their negligence.
Do You Need a Financial Solution Now?
If you are awaiting a settlement in your toxic mold case, time can drag on. You might have medical bills coming due, and you don’t know how you will cover them. Even everyday bills can become a challenge due to missed time at work related to your toxic mold illness. You may feel as if there are no viable options for the financial problems you face as a result of your exposure to toxic mold. If this sounds all too familiar, now is the time to explore how pre-settlement funding can benefit your injury claim.
With lawsuit funding, you can get the money you need to improve your financial situation now instead of waiting an undetermined amount of time for your claim to settle or receive a court award.
To find out if you are eligible for pre-settlement funding through USClaims, complete an application online, or give us a call at 1-877-USCLAIMS today! After approval, you could receive your funds in as little as 24 hours. We don’t require a credit check or have minimum income standards; we only require representation from an attorney.
