Our client had been living peacefully in his Lawrence, Massachusetts, apartment for over a year when his health began to mysteriously decline. What started as minor respiratory irritation gradually escalated into serious breathing problems, chronic allergies, and eventually the development of asthma, a condition he had never experienced before in his life.
After 15 months of tenancy, our client’s health had deteriorated so significantly that he was forced to seek emergency medical care, suffering from:
- Severe shortness of breath and wheezing
- Persistent sneezing and a runny nose
- Mysterious rash on his skin
- Strange noises and ringing in his ears
- Chronic fatigue and decreased energy levels
Discovery of Dangerous Mold Contamination
When our client brought his health concerns to his landlord’s attention, an air quality test revealed shocking results: dangerous levels of toxic mold throughout the apartment’s HVAC system. The contamination was extensive, affecting both of the building’s ventilation systems, which were supposed to provide clean, safe air to residents.
The Lawrence Board of Health became involved and conducted a comprehensive inspection, which revealed multiple serious violations of the State Sanitary Code, including:
- Severely deteriorated, frayed, and moldy insulation in the HVAC systems
- Ventilation systems actively introducing toxic contaminants into the indoor air
- Clogged bathroom ventilation allowing moisture buildup
- Visible water stains and mold growth in bathroom ceilings
- Compromised window seals allowing additional moisture infiltration
An independent mold inspection by indoor environmental testing professionals confirmed the dangerous conditions, finding high levels of accumulated debris and contaminants in the HVAC coils and harboring harmful bacteria and mold spores throughout the apartment.
Immediate Health Crisis and Emergency Relocation
Just four days after his emergency hospital visit, our client was forced to abandon his contaminated apartment and relocate to a hotel at his own expense. The health crisis had become so severe that remaining in the toxic environment was no longer safe.
Within days of leaving the mold-contaminated apartment and moving to the Hotel, our client’s health began to improve dramatically, clear evidence of the direct connection between the toxic mold exposure and his serious respiratory symptoms.
Landlord Negligence and Legal Accountability
This case demonstrates the serious legal obligations landlords have to maintain safe, habitable living conditions for their tenants. The landlord’s negligence in maintaining the HVAC systems created a toxic environment that caused permanent health damage to our client. Some of the landlord’s negligence included:
- Failure to properly maintain ventilation systems allows dangerous mold growth
- Allowing deteriorated insulation to contaminate indoor air quality
- Ignoring moisture problems that led to extensive mold proliferation
- Violation of multiple State Sanitary Code requirements for habitability
Following the Board of Health investigation, the landlord was forced to conduct extensive mold remediation as required by city officials. However, the damage to our client’s health had already been done, requiring a lifetime of medical management for his newly developed respiratory conditions.
Development of Permanent Respiratory Conditions
The toxic mold exposure caused our previously healthy client to develop serious, ongoing medical conditions. Our client never had asthma or breathing problems before mold exposure, and a comprehensive allergy testing revealed new sensitivities to multiple environmental allergens.
DiBella Law’s Successful $75,000 Settlement Achievement
Our legal team successfully negotiated a $75,000 settlement that provided comprehensive compensation for our client’s toxic mold injuries and ongoing medical needs. This result reflects the serious, permanent nature of mold-induced health conditions and the significant impact on our client’s quality of life.
The settlement addressed:
- All medical expenses for emergency care and ongoing treatment
- Hotel costs incurred during forced relocation from a toxic environment
- Environmental testing expenses to document dangerous conditions
- Pain and suffering from developing permanent respiratory conditions
- Lost quality of life and ongoing limitations from breathing difficulties
- Future medical costs for lifetime asthma and allergy management
Protecting Tenants from Toxic Mold Exposure
Toxic mold cases require immediate action to protect tenants’ health and preserve critical evidence. Landlords have a strict legal duty to maintain safe, habitable conditions and address moisture problems that can lead to dangerous mold growth.
Our legal team understands the serious health consequences of toxic mold exposure and the unique challenges faced by tenants who develop permanent respiratory conditions. We are committed to holding negligent landlords accountable and ensuring that tenants receive full compensation for their injuries.
If you or a loved one has been sickened by toxic mold in your rental property, DiBella Law is here to help. We will thoroughly investigate the source of contamination, work with environmental experts to document dangerous conditions, and fight for the maximum compensation available under the law.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your toxic mold case and learn about your legal rights as a tenant.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and results depend on specific facts and circumstances. This case result is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.