Toxic Mold Related Injury

Toxic mold is an ever-growing concern in commercial buildings and homes throughout the United States. Toxic molds can be highly dangerous to your health. It is especially dangerous to the elderly, infants, people with allergies, people with lung diseases, and those with weak immune systems.

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives on animal and plant matter. Spores are produced that are spread through water, air, pets, and insects. Most molds pose only minimal risks. There are two types that are very toxic. These are Stachybotrys and Memnoniella. These types of molds release very poisonous substances that produce mild to often very severe symptoms.

People who are exposed may experience eye irritation, wheezing, coughing, nasal congestion, hearing loss, shortness of breath, dizziness, cognitive issues, headaches, memory loss, chronic fatigue, irritability, and even brain damage.

Mold tends to flourish in damp environments. Common areas include ceiling tiles, behind walls, and under floors. It can be very hard to detect. If mold is widespread, it will often have an odor. Mold cannot spread without water. It only takes a bout 24 hours for molds to spread if water is present. Stachybotrys spreads in areas that have been totally saturated.

It is said that over 100,000 different types of mold exist. About 15 million Americans are allergic to mold spores. Fungus has been found to be the primary cause of sinusitis. It is also said to play a role in the 300 percent increase in the number of people diagnosed with asthma. This has occurred over the pat two decades. Up to 50% of homes may have the Stachybotrys mold.

Exposure to any mold can be costly. It not only causes health issue, but property damage as well. Mold causes environments to become hazardous so people have to leave and not go back until the problem is taken care of. Sometimes a house has to be totally rebuilt.

Many claims have been filed against contractors, builders, home sellers, landlords, homeowner associations, and others in order to collect compensation for medical bills and emotional distress.

If you suspect a dangerous mold, take pictures. Make sure to collect your medical history and relate all you can to mold and when symptoms started. Make sure to seek medical attention as soon as you can. Find a good mold specialist to evaluate the situation. Make sure to hire a personal injury attorney who specializes in toxic mold.

In order to win a toxic mold case you must have an attorney that has the knowledge to help produce medical and scientific evidence. The right attorney can review all of your information and evaluate where you stand as far as legal options. This is to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the compensation that you deserve. No one should be sick from mold. This is especially true in a place of business or a home that you just bought. It is very unsafe and can cause many long-term health problems if not caught in time.

This article is not legal advice.

Additional Legal Tools: If you suspect you have an injury due to toxic mold visit TampaPersonalInjuryLawyer.org

Surviving Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer in which the malignant cells attack the membrane (called the mesothelium) which covers and protects most of a person’s organs.  This rare cancer is believed to be caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos.

According to one mesothelioma lawyer, Statistical survival rates differ by source and are not definite, but the approximate survival rate is 1 in 4.  At this time there is no cure, but several treatments are available.  Generally, mesothelomia is treated one of four ways:

• Surgically removing the infected area (this is usually only possible in Stage 1, before the malignant cells have had a chance to spread).
• Radiation therapy to burn out the malignant cells
• Chemotherapy
• Adjunctive (Non-traditional) drug therapy, such as Alimta and Cispltain

In addition to these treatments, a mesothelioma patient may go through an occasional pain-relieving process called thoracentesis; this drains fluids that build up in the chest or abdomen.

As with other forms of cancer, your best bet for surviving mesothelioma is early detection.  If you have had prolonged exposure to asbestos and you experience shortness of breath, pain in the chest or pain in the abdomen, consult a doctor.  If you have been diagnosed, do as much research as you can.  Come to your doctor with specific questions and get all the details; bring a notebook to take down the details of your conversation so you can refer back.

It may also help to bring someone with you to help bring up questions and help remember.  It’s important to keep the lines of communication with your doctor open.

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