Guest guest Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them! Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge. Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already! Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls. Kenda Lea thanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer. Hugs, kathy -- In , " Lea " <devans@c...> wrote: > IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > 5/15/2003 - > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.) > The Detroit News > > Thursday, May 15, 2003 > > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs > > Marisa Schultz > > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern. > > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California. > > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts. > > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners. > > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone. > > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems. > > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling. > > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999. > > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure. > > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship. > > " The mold is everywhere, " said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, " from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly. " > > Damage unknown > > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths. > > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said. > > " You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it, " said Harbut, who treats " three or four " > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure. > > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness. > > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million. > > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson " Tonight Show " sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog. > > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger. > > Illness unraveled > > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems. > > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband. > > " I thought I was going crazy, " said Miu, 35. " Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better. " > > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability. > > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home. > > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu. > > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage. > > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow. > > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company. > > Lawsuits, claims increase > > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth. > > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team. > > Help for research and prevention may be on the way. > > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic- mold poisoning. > > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee. > > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield... > > Mold followed roof leak > > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville. > > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage. > > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling. > > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing. > > " After the mold, she became as weak as a cat, " said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43. > > > > > > > View all New Items > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims... Good Luck to you! :-) DianeKenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them!Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge.Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already!Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls.Kenda Leathanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer.Hugs, kathy-- In , "Lea " <devans@c...> wrote:> IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > 5/15/2003 - > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.)> The Detroit News> > Thursday, May 15, 2003> > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs> > Marisa Schultz> > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern.> > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California.> > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts.> > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners.> > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone.> > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems.> > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling.> > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999.> > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure.> > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship.> > "The mold is everywhere," said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, "from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly."> > Damage unknown> > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths.> > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said.> > "You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it," said Harbut, who treats "three or four" > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure.> > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness.> > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million.> > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog.> > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger.> > Illness unraveled> > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems.> > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband.> > "I thought I was going crazy," said Miu, 35. "Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better."> > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability.> > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home.> > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu.> > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage.> > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow.> > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company.> > Lawsuits, claims increase> > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth.> > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team.> > Help for research and prevention may be on the way.> > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic-mold poisoning.> > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee.> > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield...> > Mold followed roof leak> > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville.> > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage.> > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling.> > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing.> > "After the mold, she became as weak as a cat," said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43.> > > > > > > View all New Items> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved.Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Hi Diane, I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it. How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims... Good Luck to you! :-) Diane Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them! Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge. Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already! Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls. Kenda Lea thanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer. Hugs, kathy -- In , " Lea " <devans@c...> wrote: > IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > 5/15/2003 - > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.) > The Detroit News > > Thursday, May 15, 2003 > > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs > > Marisa Schultz > > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern. > > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California. > > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts. > > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners. > > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone. > > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems. > > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling. > > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999. > > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure. > > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship. > > " The mold is everywhere, " said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, " from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly. " > > Damage unknown > > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths. > > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said. > > " You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it, " said Harbut, who treats " three or four " > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure. > > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness. > > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million. > > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson " Tonight Show " sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog. > > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger. > > Illness unraveled > > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems. > > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband. > > " I thought I was going crazy, " said Miu, 35. " Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better. " > > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability. > > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home. > > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu. > > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage. > > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow. > > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company. > > Lawsuits, claims increase > > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth. > > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team. > > Help for research and prevention may be on the way. > > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic- mold poisoning. > > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee. > > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield.... > > Mold followed roof leak > > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville. > > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage. > > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling. > > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing. > > " After the mold, she became as weak as a cat, " said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43. > > > > > > > View all New Items > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane,I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it.How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims...Good Luck to you! :-)DianeKenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them!Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge.Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already!Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls.Kenda Leathanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer.Hugs, kathy-- In , "Lea " <devans@c...> wrote:> IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > 5/15/2003 - > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.)> The Detroit News> > Thursday, May 15, 2003> > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs> > Marisa Schultz> > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern.> > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California.> > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts.> > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners.> > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone.> > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems.> > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling.> > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999.> > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure.> > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship.> > "The mold is everywhere," said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, "from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly."> > Damage unknown> > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths.> > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said.> > "You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it," said Harbut, who treats "three or four" > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure.> > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness.> > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million.> > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog.> > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger.> > Illness unraveled> > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems.> > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband.> > "I thought I was going crazy," said Miu, 35. "Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better."> > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability.> > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home.> > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu.> > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage.> > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow.> > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company.> > Lawsuits, claims increase> > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth.> > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team.> > Help for research and prevention may be on the way.> > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic-mold poisoning.> > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee.> > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield....> > Mold followed roof leak> > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville.> > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage.> > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling.> > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing.> > "After the mold, she became as weak as a cat," said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43.> > > > > > > View all New Items> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved.Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Hi Kendal, I don’t know who your insurers have been in the past but I have never had the problems you have had. We had one other water claim years ago with a different insurer than we have now and they did write the checks for the damage without complaining. We had a broken water hose then. I also had a car wreck several years ago that caused serious damage to a BMW and had no problems at all in collecting. I have the go ahead from our current insurer to get the work done and it will be plenty expensive. He agreed that the house needs to be repaired to “new” condition. You’re right, the builder is responsible but I am not going against him, our insurance company has offered to do that so we don’t have to and I’m all for letting them have the expense of a lawsuit, $30,000 just to get the case to trial excluding any judgment in our favor, as well as the stress. We have expensive insurance for a very expensive home and we will collect without problems, I am guaranteed that. As far as the quality of the home, the quality is exceptional with the exception of a leak in a condensation drain and a damaged shower pan. Other than the inconvenience factor, I can’t complain, these are the only problems we have had. Typically homes like ours have many more problems because there are more things to go wrong. Since the entire house has wood flooring, it entails more work repairing it. Had we had carpet, it would be as simple as pulling out the carpet, drying the slab and recarpeting. If we had a traditional shower, all would need to be done is to pull out the tub, replace the pan and put the tub back in. Custom built homes have a price to be paid. I’m sorry you have had such rotten luck with insurance companies but I don’t share your opinion that one must fight for everything with regard to insurance, it simply hasn’t been my experience. I have read that with certain insurers that it is true but we avoid doing business with them. Our premiums may skyrocket, but they can only hike our rates if they don’t recoup from the builder and/or his subs. Thanks for your concern. Kenda Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane, I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it. How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims... Good Luck to you! :-) Diane Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them! Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge. Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already! Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls. Kenda Lea thanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer. Hugs, kathy -- In , " Lea " <devans@c...> wrote: > IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > 5/15/2003 - > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.) > The Detroit News > > Thursday, May 15, 2003 > > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs > > Marisa Schultz > > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern. > > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California. > > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts. > > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners. > > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone. > > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems. > > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling. > > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999. > > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure. > > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship. > > " The mold is everywhere, " said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, " from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly. " > > Damage unknown > > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths. > > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said. > > " You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it, " said Harbut, who treats " three or four " > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure. > > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness. > > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million. > > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson " Tonight Show " sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog. > > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger. > > Illness unraveled > > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems. > > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband. > > " I thought I was going crazy, " said Miu, 35. " Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better. " > > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability. > > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home. > > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu. > > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage. > > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow. > > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company. > > Lawsuits, claims increase > > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth. > > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team. > > Help for research and prevention may be on the way. > > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic- mold poisoning. > > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee. > > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield..... > > Mold followed roof leak > > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville. > > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage. > > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling. > > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing. > > " After the mold, she became as weak as a cat, " said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43. > > > > > > > View all New Items > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hi Kendal The home that we moved out of that had the Stachybochtrus had the Insurance that covered mold...It ended up costing them something like $93,000. Because of all the mold claims, all of the insurance companies in Texas have stopped covering mold, unless you have a rider that is very expensive. Unfortunately we dont have it on this house therefore it will be out of pocket expenses. I hope all goes well with yours. Keep us posted! :-) DianeKendal Scioli <kss0171@...> wrote: Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane,I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it.How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims...Good Luck to you! :-)DianeKenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them!Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge.Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already!Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls.Kenda Leathanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer.Hugs, kathy-- In , "Lea " <devans@c...> wrote:> IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > 5/15/2003 - > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.)> The Detroit News> > Thursday, May 15, 2003> > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs> > Marisa Schultz> > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern.> > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California.> > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts.> > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners.> > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone.> > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems.> > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling.> > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999.> > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure.> > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship.> > "The mold is everywhere," said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, "from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly."> > Damage unknown> > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths.> > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said.> > "You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it," said Harbut, who treats "three or four" > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure.> > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness.> > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million.> > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog.> > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger.> > Illness unraveled> > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems.> > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband.> > "I thought I was going crazy," said Miu, 35. "Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better."> > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability.> > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home.> > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu.> > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage.> > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow.> > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company.> > Lawsuits, claims increase> > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth.> > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team.> > Help for research and prevention may be on the way.> > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic-mold poisoning.> > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee.> > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield....> > Mold followed roof leak> > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville.> > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage.> > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling.> > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing.> > "After the mold, she became as weak as a cat," said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43.> > > > > > > View all New Items> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved.Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hi Diane! I completely understand, our policy has a $10,000 policy limit on mold, the claims rep was sure to explain that to me when he was at my house. Fortunately all of the work except the containment portion is considered water damage and not mold because the damage wouldn’t have occurred without the water. Simple water damage doesn’t require containment. Do you know what caused the damage to your home? The work starts tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting it over with but dreading the contractors in the house. We’ll spend a week or two in a hotel but we won’t go until we have to, when the start working on the wood floors. With two dogs and six indoor cats, it’s going to be a challenge to find somewhere for all of us. I may have to sneak some kitties in. >^..^< Kenda Hi Kendal The home that we moved out of that had the Stachybochtrus had the Insurance that covered mold...It ended up costing them something like $93,000. Because of all the mold claims, all of the insurance companies in Texas have stopped covering mold, unless you have a rider that is very expensive. Unfortunately we dont have it on this house therefore it will be out of pocket expenses. I hope all goes well with yours. Keep us posted! :-) Diane Kendal Scioli <kss0171@...> wrote: Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane, I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it. How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims... Good Luck to you! :-) Diane Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them! Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge. Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already! Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls. Kenda Lea thanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer. Hugs, kathy -- In , " Lea " <devans@c...> wrote: > IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > 5/15/2003 - > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.) > The Detroit News > > Thursday, May 15, 2003 > > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs > > Marisa Schultz > > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern. > > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California. > > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts. > > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners. > > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone. > > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems. > > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling. > > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999. > > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure. > > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship. > > " The mold is everywhere, " said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, " from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly. " > > Damage unknown > > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths. > > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said. > > " You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it, " said Harbut, who treats " three or four " > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure. > > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness. > > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million. > > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson " Tonight Show " sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog. > > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger. > > Illness unraveled > > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems. > > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband. > > " I thought I was going crazy, " said Miu, 35. " Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better. " > > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability. > > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home. > > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu. > > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage. > > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow. > > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company. > > Lawsuits, claims increase > > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth. > > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team. > > Help for research and prevention may be on the way. > > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic- mold poisoning. > > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee. > > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield..... > > Mold followed roof leak > > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville. > > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage. > > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling. > > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing. > > " After the mold, she became as weak as a cat, " said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43. > > > > > > > View all New Items > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hi Diane, Sorry to hear about your recent problems. I'm currently not having any problems dealing with insurance companies. That was my Mother that had to hire an insurance adjuster. Everything is settled now and she hasn't had any other problems. Her big mistake was selling the house I grew up in! $93,000 dollars is an awful lot of money to repair damage from mold. What a nightmare for you to have to go through this again. I'll be thinking about you. God Bless, Kendal. Diane Myers <dlmyers1960@...> wrote: Hi Kendal The home that we moved out of that had the Stachybochtrus had the Insurance that covered mold...It ended up costing them something like $93,000. Because of all the mold claims, all of the insurance companies in Texas have stopped covering mold, unless you have a rider that is very expensive. Unfortunately we dont have it on this house therefore it will be out of pocket expenses. I hope all goes well with yours. Keep us posted! :-) DianeKendal Scioli <kss0171@...> wrote: Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane,I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it.How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims...Good Luck to you! :-)DianeKenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them!Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge.Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already!Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls.Kenda Leathanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer.Hugs, kathy-- In , "Lea " <devans@c...> wrote:> IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > 5/15/2003 - > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.)> The Detroit News> > Thursday, May 15, 2003> > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs> > Marisa Schultz> > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern.> > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California.> > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts.> > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners.> > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone.> > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems.> > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling.> > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999.> > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure.> > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship.> > "The mold is everywhere," said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, "from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly."> > Damage unknown> > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths.> > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said.> > "You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it," said Harbut, who treats "three or four" > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure.> > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness.> > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million.> > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog.> > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger.> > Illness unraveled> > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems.> > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband.> > "I thought I was going crazy," said Miu, 35. "Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better."> > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability.> > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home.> > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu.> > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage.> > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow.> > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company.> > Lawsuits, claims increase> > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth.> > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team.> > Help for research and prevention may be on the way.> > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic-mold poisoning.> > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee.> > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield....> > Mold followed roof leak> > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville.> > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage.> > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling.> > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing.> > "After the mold, she became as weak as a cat," said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43.> > > > > > > View all New Items> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved.Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hi Kenda I believe that they said we had a pipe in the middle of the walls from the master bath that had been leaking and one in the kitchen. I know what you mean about the animals! We had to take a doberman, cat, blue & gold macaw and an umbrella cockatoo! LOL Imagine that! We had to go to a rental home for 18 mos, until they decided it was pretty much a loss and after consulting with our attorney, we decided to just move to another home. Good luck with yours. Hopefully it wont take them that long. DianeKenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane!I completely understand, our policy has a $10,000 policy limit on mold, the claims rep was sure to explain that to me when he was at my house. Fortunately all of the work except the containment portion is considered water damage and not mold because the damage wouldn’t have occurred without the water. Simple water damage doesn’t require containment. Do you know what caused the damage to your home? The work starts tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting it over with but dreading the contractors in the house. We’ll spend a week or two in a hotel but we won’t go until we have to, when the start working on the wood floors. With two dogs and six indoor cats, it’s going to be a challenge to find somewhere for all of us. I may have to sneak some kitties in. >^..^< Kenda Hi Kendal The home that we moved out of that had the Stachybochtrus had the Insurance that covered mold...It ended up costing them something like $93,000. Because of all the mold claims, all of the insurance companies in Texas have stopped covering mold, unless you have a rider that is very expensive. Unfortunately we dont have it on this house therefore it will be out of pocket expenses. I hope all goes well with yours. Keep us posted! :-) DianeKendal Scioli <kss0171@...> wrote: Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane,I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it.How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims...Good Luck to you! :-)DianeKenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them!Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge.KendaNo worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions.Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bear to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already!Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but you do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls.KendaLeathanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer.Hugs, kathy-- In , "Lea " <devans@c...> wrote:> IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs> > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > 5/15/2003 - > > > --------------------------------------------------------------> > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.)> The Detroit News> > Thursday, May 15, 2003> > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs> > Marisa Schultz> > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern.> > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California.> > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts.> > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners.> > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone.> > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems.> > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling.> > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999.> > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure.> > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship.> > "The mold is everywhere," said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, "from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly."> > Damage unknown> > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths.> > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said.> > "You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it," said Harbut, who treats "three or four" > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure.> > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness.> > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million.> > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog.> > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger.> > Illness unraveled> > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems.> > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband.> > "I thought I was going crazy," said Miu, 35. "Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better."> > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability.> > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home.> > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu.> > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage.> > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow.> > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company.> > Lawsuits, claims increase> > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth.> > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team.> > Help for research and prevention may be on the way.> > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic-mold poisoning.> > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee.> > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield.....> > Mold followed roof leak> > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ice a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville.> > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage.> > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling.> > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing.> > "After the mold, she became as weak as a cat," said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43.> > > > > > > View all New Items> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved.Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. 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Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hi Diane, You had your hands full with pets as well! I can’t imagine being out of your home for 18 months, that’s a heck of a long time! Our work begins tomorrow and should be completed within a month. The tear down will just take a day or day and a half but we have to wait for our mold test to be sent in to be sure the area is clear of mold. Once we have the ok, rebuilding can begin. We have sheetrock damage, painting and of course, the biggie — the wood floors. We will stay in the house until they begin the floors. The kids’ side of the house was the part damaged so I have moved them into different rooms until they can move back into their own rooms. My bathroom will begin when they do the floors so we’ll be out of here for that part as well. Kenda Hi Kenda I believe that they said we had a pipe in the middle of the walls from the master bath that had been leaking and one in the kitchen. I know what you mean about the animals! We had to take a doberman, cat, blue & gold macaw and an umbrella cockatoo! LOL Imagine that! We had to go to a rental home for 18 mos, until they decided it was pretty much a loss and after consulting with our attorney, we decided to just move to another home. Good luck with yours. Hopefully it wont take them that long. Diane Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane! I completely understand, our policy has a $10,000 policy limit on mold, the claims rep was sure to explain that to me when he was at my house. Fortunately all of the work except the containment portion is considered water damage and not mold because the damage wouldn’t have occurred without the water. Simple water damage doesn’t require containment. Do you know what caused the damage to your home? The work starts tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting it over with but dreading the contractors in the house. We’ll spend a week or two in a hotel but we won’t go until we have to, when the start working on the wood floors. With two dogs and six indoor cats, it’s going to be a challenge to find somewhere for all of us. I may have to sneak some kitties in. >^..^< Kenda Hi Kendal The home that we moved out of that had the Stachybochtrus had the Insurance that covered mold...It ended up costing them something like $93,000. Because of all the mold claims, all of the insurance companies in Texas have stopped covering mold, unless you have a rider that is very expensive. Unfortunately we dont have it on this house therefore it will be out of pocket expenses. I hope all goes well with yours. Keep us posted! :-) Diane Kendal Scioli <kss0171@...> wrote: Didn't want to say anything in the previous post but now that someone else has brought it out in the open.....I have NEVER heard of any insurance company just gladly handing over money for any claim. Their job is to try to keep the cost of repairs as low as possible. If they freely just handed out the money for all repairs needed, they would go bankrupt. That is why my Mom had to get an insurance adjuster. They fight the claim for you! Their main goal is to take your premiums and not pay you when you have a claim. You must fight for everything. Auto insurance is the same way. They repair it but then your insurance sky rockets. That is how they can break even. Insurance companies are crooks. Health, Auto, Home, you name it! Your builder should be responsible. It must be a very poorly built home to have so many problems already. Get a good attorney and sue the builder. He is responsible! Good luck. Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Hi Diane, I’m sure we’ll be cancelled after the work is completed because these are two separate claims. The mold in the first area is dormant so it isn’t causing health problems right now but it needs to be remediated. The second claim, in my master bath, water from the shower is continuing to damage the bathroom at a slow rate but we have to use the bathroom because the other two full baths are being blocked off tomorrow when the work begins at that end of the house. After the gutting is completed there, they will begin my bathroom and we will move to a hotel so they can finish up and resand/seal all of the floors, which are wood — except the bathrooms. It’s going to be a mess. I’m sure we’re looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in damage, thankfully we have insurance to cover it. How can your company refuse mold claims? Do you have a mold rider? I know with our coverage, we have a $10,000 cap on mold damage but nearly all of the damage is water, not mold. Kenda I wish ya'll the best of luck with the Mold Claims...We went through that in 2001-2002. We had Stachyboctrus throughout our home. Everyone was sick! My children were coughing up blood, constant sinus infections and the list goes on and on..........Unfortunately we filed our claim through our insurance company (Farmers)......the house was basically totalled, therefore we just moved. The downside to this in Texas is that we werent able to get Homeowners Insurance for 3 years. We had to be insured through a state/gov company. Now that it has been three years we had to search for insurance again and the rates are substantially higher due to our claim.....Now we have a mold issue in the master bath of our home that we moved into and have to have it fixed ourselves because these insurance companies refuse to take mold claims... Good Luck to you! :-) Diane Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Oooh, I have heard terrible things about Allstate and State Farm! We have Ohio Casualty because we were told by our agent that they “give away the farm” when you have a claim. I don’t want the farm, I just want the house completed the way it should be. The house is new and should look it when it’s completed. We already have an attorney involved and they know it so hopefully they’ll be honorable about it. The architect that designed our house is handling putting the house back together again so at least I know we’ll have quality contractors and the work will be done the way it should be. Ohio Casualty will subrogate and/or sue our builder so at least they have someone to go after and I’ll gladly help them! Kenda My Mom just went through this. Her insurance company didn't want to pay for the entire amount of the damages so she had to get an insurance adjuster to help her fight her insurance company. All you do is pay the premiums but when you really need them, they don't want to pay out. Hope you don't have Allstate! Kendal. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Thank you. We do have an attorney who has worked on the case but our builder is a flake and has refused to cover the damages. His attorney is an egotistical jerk. I used to be a legal assistant before I had children and worked in the same building his attorney does. He’s a womanizing creep! It takes a lot of positive thinking not to hate our builder. I don’t want to waste my energy hating anyone but he sure challenges me. I filed a claim with my insurance company last week so they can sue him in the end so I won’t have to deal with it. We have a meeting with our insurance company and restoration company scheduled for tomorrow. The shower pan needs to be replaced, which in our case, is a huge undertaking since the shower is hand laid marble. We are trying to coordinate both water damage claims so the w ork can be done simultaneously. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude but it is a challenge. Kenda No worries, Kenda. If you do have mold, call your insurance company, make a report and let them help you through it. If this is something that the builders are responsible for, then you might want to be looking into an attorney. Doesn't sound like your house was built on the best of conditions. Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote: Perfect timing with the mold article! I just found out that I have a mold issue in my master bath. My house is less than two years old and I found a mushroom growing out of the wood trim!! I had a mold company come out and test for moisture and sure enough, the trim and wall is saturated. I had a leak detection company come out and found out that my shower pan is leaking. The shower is hand-laid marble and will be a bea r to take out. Of course none of the marble will be salvable and it will cost my insurance company, or the tile installer a ton to replace. Part of the walls will have to be gutted, as well as the trim and possibly even my cabinets, depending on the level of damage. Hopefully my marble floors are fine. I was having headaches every time I was in my bathroom and closet. Now I know why. bsp;We also had a leak last year from our air conditioner condensation line. We haven ’t fixed that damage yet because we have been haggling with our builder over it. The wall was ruined as well as part of our wood flooring. All of the wood floors in our house (all of our floors) will have to be resanded and sealed. It’s going to be a nightmare and will likely begin next week. Parts of my house will be quarantined so the mold isn’t spread throughout — as if it isn’t already! Anyway, there is a simple test that can test for mold but yo u do need to have an indoor air quality person do it. They can test the air in the home for mold. They can also use a pronged device to test for moisture in floors and walls. Kenda Lea thanks for the article. Toxic mold is indeed a big problem. I have met more than one person who developed all kinds of autoimmune problems and mcs after being exposed to mold. Getting better wasn't as simple as removing the mold. Like many of us, they have had to try very hard to detox, support their immune system, etc, to regain their health. It is too bad that there isn't a simple test to determine mold in hidden places---it would certainly making renting an apt or buying a house much safer. Hugs, kathy -- In , " Lea " <devans@c...> wrote: > IAQ News: Black Mold Damage Hikes Mich. Home Costs > > > ; > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > 5/15/2003 - > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > (Publication page references are not available for this document.) > The Detroit News > > Thursday, May 15, 2003 > > Black mold damage hikes Mich. home costs > > Marisa Schultz > > > ROSEVILLE -- Hardly anyone had heard of it a decade ago. But black mold > has become one of the most controversial aspects of home ownership and > is a rapidly growing health concern. > > The mold, called Stachybotrys, leaped to public prominence when it was > linked in a controversial study to 10 infant deaths in Cleveland. Now it > is blamed for closing Washington Elementary School in Romeo, the Wayne > County prosecutor's satellite office in Westland, some units in > Jordan's condominium complex in Washington and Ed McMahon's home in > California. > > It has forced Metro Detroit residents to abandon their homes, fueled > legal battles with insurance companies and builders, prompted federal > legislation, boosted homeowner insurance rates and created a new field > of research for environmentalists and health experts. > > Three air quality testing companies say together they have found mold in > 450 homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Metro Detroit experts > say the numbers are actually much higher, since mold is often hidden > from homeowners. > > In Roseville, Bessie Mae Haus considers herself one of those victims. > Shortly after a leaky roof seeped rainwater into her living room, she > developed a hacking cough. Then she became so exhausted that she > struggled to dial the telephone. > > When Haus was diagnosed with shingles, emphysema and fibrosis of the > lungs six months later, she moved in with her daughter and has not > returned to her home on Glendale Street in Roseville, which was infested > with the black mold she now believes caused her health problems. > > She has battled her insurance company to pay for the mold's removal and > has filed a lawsuit in Macomb Circuit Court against a repair company she > hired for not discovering the substance while fixing water damage to her > ceiling. > > Nationwide, the Insurance Information Institute in New York estimates > that 10,000 mold-related lawsuits are pending in the United States -- a > 300 percent increase from 1999. > > Home insurance companies have redefined policies to exclude mold > coverage in light of thousands of recent mold damage claims and health > reports refuting adverse health effects from mold exposure. > > But U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists have been > frantically working with a short staff and limited budget to find > further evidence of the cause-and-effect relationship. > > " The mold is everywhere, " said Marc Menetrez, an environmental engineer > who heads up one of the EPA's black mold research teams in North > Carolina, " from the desert of Las Vegas to the high humidity conditions > of Florida, to the cool areas of Washington state. ... The public needs > to be aware of this and the public needs to deal with this quickly. " > > Damage unknown > > Scientists from the Centers of Disease Control identified Stachybotrys > in 1995 as the culprit for unexplained infant deaths in Cleveland > between January 1993 and December 1994. That report was later challenged > by CDC scientists who concluded there was not enough evidence to prove > the mold caused the babies' deaths. > > But there's no doubt that mold causes health problems, said Dr. > Harbut, head of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine > in Southfield. It's the severity of those health problems that some have > disputed, he said. > > " You don't have to be a Ph.D. to know that if you walk into a room that > has mold and your nose starts running and you're wheezing, that you are > probably allergic to it, " said Harbut, who treats " three or four " > patients a day at his Royal Oak clinic for mold exposure. > > Few studies attempt to gauge the prevalence of dangerous molds. But a > 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 houses in the United States and > Canada found that half the buildings had mold damage that presented a > dramatically increased risk of respiratory illness. > > Insurance agents credit the spike to the publicity of a Texas lawsuit > where a jury granted Melina Ballard and her husband $32 million in June > 2001 for mold damage in their mansion near Austin. Ballard said her > husband suffered memory loss and her son contracted severe asthma from > the mold. The verdict against Farmers Insurance was later reduced to $4 > million. > > The highest disclosed mold settlement was reached this year, when former > ny Carson " Tonight Show " sidekick Ed McMahon was awarded $7.2 > million for his lawsuit against American Equity Insurance Co., > consultants and others. McMahon alleged toxic mold spread through his > home, sickened his family and killed their dog. > > Connie Morebach, vice president of Troy-based Sanit-Air, said her air > quality testing company has found black mold locally in about 300 homes. > Jon Dattilo, president of IAQ Management in Livonia, said his company > finds about 40 homes a year with black mold. And Cote of Air > Analysis and Consulting Co. in St. Clair Shores said he's found about > 100 homes with the toxic mold. Empirical evidence suggests the problem > is much larger. > > Illness unraveled > > It took 37 doctor visits and four hospital stays before doctors could > pinpoint mold as the cause of Carolyn Miu's health problems. > > The Commerce Township woman used to juggle taking care of her son, > husband and work duties as an AT & T account manager with ease. But in > 1999,she developed hives regularly, needed an inhaler to breathe and had > trouble remembering job tasks and plans with her husband. > > " I thought I was going crazy, " said Miu, 35. " Everyone was treating my > symptoms. I wasn't getting better. " > > A visit to Dr. Harbut earlier this year began to unravel the 4-year-old > health mystery that Miu blames for a miscarriage and for leaving her job > on disability. > > Harbut diagnosed Miu with prolonged exposure to toxic mold. He blamed > her home. > > Air tests revealed mold growth in between her walls of Aspergillus and > Penicillium, other toxic mold s linked to health problems but not as > widely reported as Stachybotrys. The mold was never visible to Miu. > > Scientists suggested the mold got there after the family's home caught > fire in 1998. Ashes from the fireplace set fire to trash in the garage. > > Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, Miu > said. But the water was never dried out in betwe en the walls, creating > an ideal environment for mold to grow. > > The family now rents an apartment in West Bloomfield. They recently > hired a lawyer to work with their insurance company. > > Lawsuits, claims increase > > The rise in mold lawsuits and insurance claims is credited to greater > consumer awareness and tighter building design, said the EPA's Menetrez. > After the energy crisis of the 1970s, homes were built to prevent less > exchange between the outside and inside air. Today, homes are typically > built with drywall instead of plaster, which is more resistant to mold > growth. > > A sister team of EPA researchers is studying the health effects of the > mold on mice. So far research has shown that mice exposed to > Stachybotrys exhibit characteristics of allergic asthma, said jane > Selgrade, who heads that EPA research team. > > Help for research and prevention may be on the way. > > U.S. Rep. Conyers, D-Detroit, introduced legislation last summer > aimed at protecting homeowners against toxic- mold poisoning. > > The bill, known as the Melina Bill, also asks the EPA to set up > standards for preventing, detecting and cleaning up indoor mold growth. > Right now it rests in a House committee. > > It's named for Melina Tumpkin, the daughter of Conyers' Detroit office > manager, who at age 9 was diagnosed with exposure to toxic mold at her > home in Southfield...... > > Mold followed roof leak > > Bessie Mae Haus' problems began in March 2001, when her roof was damaged > by ic e a n d water and started to leak into her living room in Roseville. > > Her roof was later replaced and a contracting company was hired to > repair the interior water damage. > > While the repair men were working, Haus, 78, said she saw a black > substance fall from the ceiling. She asked an employee if it was mold > and he said it wasn't, Haus said. And he continued to patch the ceiling. > > Afterward, Haus's health began to fail and doctors diagnosed her with > mold exposure. She had to evacuate her home and move in with her > daughter in Lenox Township after air tests confirmed mold was growing. > > " After the mold, she became as weak as a cat, " said daughter Carolyn > Trombley, 43. > > > > > > > View all New Items > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > Home • IUOE Info • GP Speaks • IAQ Solution • IAQ News • Glossary • Info Sources • Contact > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > ©2002 International Union of Operating Engineers/ERECT. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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