Toxic Mold, Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Injury Case Results Achieved by Jeff LaFave
Jeff LaFave has a remarkable history of success both in trial and outside of the Courtroom. Some of the notable case results he has been involved with in San Diego and elsewhere in California are referenced here. Please remember that every case is different and has unique facts. Each case is judged on its specific facts and merits. We can’t promise that if you have a case that appears similar to one listed here, that you would absolutely obtain the same result.
Woman with pre-existing COPD exposed to mold in her senior living apartment because management failed to properly remediate water damage from leak
Glasman v. Woodland Village San Marcos, Kyle Wilson, et. al. – $1.2 million
San Diego indoor environmental law attorney Jeff LaFave recently settled a lawsuit brought by a former tenant of Woodland Village San Marcos for $1.2 million. The lawsuit alleged that management/the landlord failed to properly remediate a leak from the unit above which caused flooding and water damage in Plaintiffs home, a unit advertised to constitute luxury senior living. Defendants knew the Plaintiff had a history of COPD and used supplemental oxygen on a daily basis. The failure to remediate led to substantial mold growth which caused elevated airborne levels and visible mold growth. Defendants own testing confirmed the significance of the problem and management disregarded the recommendations of a professional remediation company they had consulted, even though it would have only cost them several thousand dollars to pay for the remediation. As a result, Plaintiff was repeatedly hospitalized for worsening COPD to the point it threatened her life. Plaintiff also alleged retaliation, harassment, constructive eviction and other wrongful conduct by Defendants in response to her and her daughter raising the mold and habitability issues in the home. The case settled shortly before trial.
Tenant suffers personal injuries from moldy crawlspace in La Jolla, CA
Doe v. Law-Greenberg and Bill Luther Realty – $500,000
San Diego toxic mold and environmental injury attorneys Jeff LaFave and Katie Schuler recently settled a lawsuit brought by two former tenants for $500,000. The lawsuit alleged that the landlord, Greenberg, and her property manager had failed to properly manage and maintain an expensive home in La Jolla they had rented to the Plaintiffs. The primary problem in the case focused on crawlspace moisture caused by improper drainage and leaks. The water damage in the crawlspace cause toxic mold growth and moldy smells, including mold exposure throughout the home, making the plaintiffs sick. Plaintiffs alleged the landlord and property manager had failed to properly maintain the home, causing it to be uninhabitable, including failing to conduct preventative maintenance inspections. The husband alleged that he had to have sinus surgery as a result of the mold exposure and that he had lost hearing in one ear because of middle ear infections causing Eustachian tube dysfunction. The case was settled shortly before trial.
Mold problem in San Diego apartment leads to death of a 3-year-old boy due to fungal colonization
Vuckovich v. Starvest, et al – $2,200,000
Attorneys Jeffrey LaFave & Katie Schuler recently settled a wrongful death/mold exposure case for $2.2 million. Mr. LaFave & Ms. Schuler represented a family (a mother, father and young daughter) who alleged that a significant mold problem in their former home caused the death of their three-year-old son and brother, in addition to causing their own personal injuries. The child died from fungal colonization from aspergillus and Plaintiffs alleged the colonization resulted from exposure to mold in the families apartment.
Family sues former landlord for health problems caused by mold exposure
Doe Family v. Doe Landlord – $850,000
Attorneys LaFave and Schuler represented a family against their former landlords in Pacific Beach and settled their mold exposure/personal injury claims for $850k as part of a confidential settlement.
Family injured by exposure to hydrogen sulfide in home
Merziotis v. Doe Developers – $1,000,000
San Diego indoor environmental attorney Jeff LaFave achieved a settlement of $1 million for a family exposed to hydrogen sulfide. The case involved a family that was exposed to intermittent low levels of hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas) in their home which resulted from a construction defect in the sewer vent system of their luxury condominium. All four family members suffered health symptoms, and the youngest child developed the onset of asthma. The suit was brought against the builder, the developer and the subcontractor who installed the defective vent system.
Family illness due to mold and dust mites caused by water damange in Carlsbad, CA rental home
Ward v. Madden – $500,000
San Diego mold exposure lawyer Jeff LaFave represented a mother and her twin boys who brought suit against their landlord for serious water damage and mold problems in their rented home in Carlsbad. The plaintiffs alleged exposure to mold and dust mites which caused the family to become very ill, including exacerbation of preexisting asthma in all three of the plaintiffs. Further, the plaintiffs alleged that the mother had to have sinus surgery as a result of the exposure. All three plaintiffs had preexisting allergies and asthma before living in the home, but plaintiffs were able to show an exacerbation of those symptoms above and beyond their preexisting conditions as a result of their exposure to water damage, dust mites and mold growth in the home.
Family sues landlord for mold exposure in an Escondido, CA apartment complex and violation of tenants rights
Galindo v. Willmark Communities, et al. – $575,000
San Diego attorney Jeff LaFave represented a family of four, including three young girls, who were exposed to mold, water damage, dust mites and moldy smells in their former home, an apartment rented to them by Willmark Communities in Escondido. All three children suffered from asthma and physical injuries as a result of their exposure, and Mr. LaFave was able to settle the case for $575,000 against the landlord and property manager.
Tenant suffers personal injuries from mold exposure in La Jolla, CA townhouse
Axelrod et al. v. Klein – $782,500
Suit filed in San Diego Superior Court by tenants against a landlord for personal injuries and habitability claims arising from mold and water damage in a townhouse in La Jolla. A settlement of $782,500 was obtained by San Diego mold lawyer Jeff LaFave.
Family in San Diego apartment exposed to mold for several years, suffers illness and allergies as a result
Dunscomb v. Doe Apartment Company – $500,000
Settlement for $500,000 on behalf of a San Diego County family who rented an apartment from a large apartment company and was exposed to toxic mold over several years. Two family members suffered asthma, and three suffered allergies as a result. San Diego mold attorney Jeff LaFave filed suit in Superior Court and settled the case at mediation. The suit was brought against the landlord apartment company who also built the property. Plaintiffs alleged construction defects caused habitability violations including leaks, moisture intrusion, musty smells and visible mold growth, which made the entire family ill. Plaintiffs suffered injury from irritant effects of mold, as well as allergic response to dust mites, which amplified due to long-term moisture intrusion.
Employee of business exposed to mold in rented San Bernardino office
Colburn v. Milligan and Bond Property Management – $435,000
Suit by employee of business who rented an office in San Bernardino, which suffered from long-term leaks, musty smells and mold growth. Plaintiff suffered disabilities as a result of her exposure to toxic mold. San Diego mold attorney Jeff LaFave and his co-counsel obtained a settlement of $435,000.
Water damage and mold exposure lead to asthma of mother and son in Vista, CA apartment
Tran et al. vs. Camden USA et al. – $150,000
Lawsuit against a large, national apartment company in San Diego Federal District Court alleging personal injuries as a result of water damage and mold exposure in an apartment in Vista, California. Primary claim was asthma of mother and son. Settlement of $150,000 won by San Diego mold lawyer Jeff LaFave.
Tenant in La Mesa, CA duplex wins trial verdict against landlord for mold exposure and habitability claims
DeLeon et. al. v. Frank Morgan – $1,000,000+
Suit by tenants against a landlord for moisture intrusion and mold exposure in a duplex in La Mesa, California. Jeff LaFave obtained a judgment after a 4-week trial for over $1 million on behalf of our clients. Jeff LaFave received the Outstanding Trial Lawyer award in 2006 for this outstanding trial result.
Mold exposure, construction defects, and personal injuries
Doe v. Roe Homeowners Association – $3,200,000
Confidential settlement brought by homeowners against an HOA regarding water damage and mold exposure.
Elderly woman with COPD exposed to mold in apartment in San Diego beach community
$950,000
San Diego mold lawyer Jeff LaFave brought suit against a landlord on behalf of an elderly woman who had pre-existing COPD. The woman rented an apartment, but the landlord did not disclose the unit had a history of mold growth and water damage. Instead, the landlord painted over the mold to hide it. Immediately after moving in, the woman’s COPD became much worse and she had to be repeatedly hospitalized until she discovered the problem and moved out. Mold attorney LaFave obtained a confidential settlement of $950,000.
Toxic mold exposure and construction defect lawsuit against home owners association and property management company in Newport Beach, CA
Carnahan vs. Newport Crest HOA – $857,000
San Diego mold attorney Jeff LaFave brought suit on behalf of a single plaintiff (along with his co-counsel) and achieved a settlement of $857,000 on the eve of trial. Plaintiff Carnahan owned a condominium in Newport Beach, California, which suffered from chronic water damage. Over time, the moisture intrusion resulted in toxic mold and amplified dust mites. Carnahan alleged a variety of health effects as a result of her exposure to the mold growth in her home.
Home owners sue HOA for injuries from mold exposure in San Diego comdominium
Wells v. Halcyon HOA – $200,000+
San Diego mold attorney Jeff LaFave won a judgment after a jury verdict at trial for over $200,000 in San Diego Superior Court. Case was brought by a couple whose home suffered various forms of leaks and moisture intrusion, which resulted in mold growth in various places in the home. One plaintiff alleged physical injuries as a result of exposure to the mold, including exacerbation of her meneire’s disease.
FAMILY EXPOSED TO MOLD AND SEWAGE IN APARTMENT COMPLEX
Campbell v. The Timbers Apartments et al. – $575,000
San Diego mold lawyer Jeff LaFave represented the Campbell family (including 2 young girls) against an apartment company and property manager. The Campbell’s home suffered from a sewage backup, leaks and toxic mold, which made all four family members, sick, especially the two girls who suffered asthma. The case settled for $575,000.
Workplace toxic mold exposure
$2,850,000
Confidential settlement by San Diego mold lawyer Jeff LaFave on behalf of 3 women injured by exposure to stachybotrys and other toxic molds as a result of water damage in their workplace. Case settled for 2.85 million dollars.
Family develops asthma due to mold exposure, sues for non-disclosure of ongoing mold problem in apartment complex
Dagher vs. Nobel Court et al. – $525,000
San Diego mold attorney brought suit against a large real estate and apartment company, which owned a complex in La Jolla, California. Mother and two children had developed asthma as a result of mold problem, which had existed in apartment for years, even prior to plaintiffs renting the apartment from defendants. Case settled for $525,000.
Lawsuit for personal injuries as a result of mold exposure due to construction defects and improper remediation
Kirst v. Riderwood Meadows et al. – $1,000,000
San Diego mold attorney Jeff LaFave assisted co-counsel with suit against HOA, Developer and Stanley Steamer Carpet Company for personal injuries suffered by family living in a mold-infested condominium. Case settled for nearly $1 million dollars.