|
Chapter 1 Mould lawsuits in the news |
101 |
| |
|
|
1.1 Mould lawsuits up by
300%------------------------------------------------------- |
102 |
|
1.2 Denver International
Airport faces Mould lawsuits--------------------------------- |
103 |
|
1.3 Mould forces cuts in hours
in Tulare County Court-------------------------------- |
104 |
|
1.4 Mould-stricken Ed McMahon
files lawsuit----------------------------------------- |
105 |
|
1.5 Tennessee jail mould makes
staffers ill; kills inmate--------------------------------- |
106 |
|
1.6 Mould claims spread to
cars------------------------------------------------------ |
107 |
|
1.7 Beware of illegal and
unregistered fungicide---------------------------------------- |
109 |
|
1.8 The reasons behind the rise
in mould lawsuits-------------------------------------- |
109 |
|
1.8.1 Population
shifts----------------------------------------------------------------- |
110 |
|
1.8.2 The rise of new
buildings-------------------------------------------------------- |
110 |
|
1.8.3 Rising property
values----------------------------------------------------------- |
110 |
|
1.8.4 More
plumbing------------------------------------------------------------------ |
110 |
|
1.8.5 Advances in medical
science---------------------------------------------------- |
110 |
|
1.8.6 Increased public
awareness----------------------------------------------------- |
111 |
|
1.8.7 Government
action-------------------------------------------------------------- |
111 |
|
1.8.8 Mould
industry------------------------------------------------------------------ |
111 |
|
1.8.9 Numerous successful mould
litigations------------------------------------------- |
111 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 2 Filing class action lawsuits |
201 |
| |
|
|
2.1 What is a class
action?------------------------------------------------------------ |
201 |
|
2.2 Class action prerequisites
and legal procedure------------------------------------- |
201 |
|
2.2.1 Prerequisites to a class
action--------------------------------------------------- |
201 |
|
2.2.2 Class actions
maintainable------------------------------------------------------- |
201 |
|
2.2.3 Determination by order whether class action to be maintained; notice; judgment;
actions conducted partially as class actions ---------------------------------- |
202 |
|
2.2.4 Orders in conduct of
actions---------------------------------------------------- |
203 |
|
2.2.5 Dismissal or compromise
of class action----------------------------------------- |
203 |
| |
|
Chapter 3
Legal implications of mould contamination of HVAC systems |
301 |
| |
|
|
3.1 Sick building syndrome and IAQ
lawsuits----------------------------------------- |
301 |
|
3.2 HVAC manufacturing and
design defects------------------------------------------ |
302 |
|
3.3 Legal liability of HVAC
manufacturers for mould-related injuries------------------- |
303 |
|
3.4 Proposed HVAC design
solutions------------------------------------------------- |
303 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 4 Possible causes of action and
potential damage awards for mould contamination |
401 |
| |
|
|
4.1 Common causes of
action--------------------------------------------------------- |
401 |
|
4.2 What is a
tort?-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
402 |
|
4.3 Four elements of
tort-------------------------------------------------------------- |
402 |
|
4.4 Duties of a
landlord--------------------------------------------------------------- |
403 |
|
4.5 Legal grounds to file
lawsuit against defendants------------------------------------ |
403 |
|
4.5.1
Negligence---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
404 |
|
4.5.2 Strict
Liability------------------------------------------------------------------- |
404 |
|
4.5.3 Breach of
Warranties----------------------------------------------------------- |
405 |
|
4.5.4 Constructive
Eviction------------------------------------------------------------ |
405 |
|
4.5.5 Workers
Compensation--------------------------------------------------------- |
405 |
|
4.5.6 Failure to
Disclose-------------------------------------------------------------- |
406 |
|
4.6 How to claim workers
compensation---------------------------------------------- |
407 |
|
4.7 California mould disclosure
law---------------------------------------------------- |
408 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 5 Damages recoverable in mould
Cases |
501 |
| |
|
|
5.1 Diminution of value and
cost to repair--------------------------------------------- |
501 |
|
5.2 Cost of remedying the
defects----------------------------------------------------- |
501 |
|
5.3 Personal exception
rule------------------------------------------------------------ |
501 |
|
5.4 Personal
injury-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
502 |
|
5.5 Prejudgment
interest-------------------------------------------------------------- |
502 |
|
5.6 Attorney’s
fees-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
502 |
|
5.7 Punitive
damages------------------------------------------------------------------ |
503 |
|
5.8 Emotional distress
damages------------------------------------------------------- |
503 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 6 Statute of Limitations for mould
cases |
601 |
| |
|
|
6.1 Purpose of statute of
limitations---------------------------------------------------- |
601 |
|
6.2 Delayed discovery
rule------------------------------------------------------------ |
601 |
|
6.3 Interruption of one-year
statute of limitations--------------------------------------- |
602 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 7 Verdicts and settlements of mould cases |
701 |
| |
|
|
7.1 Recent published verdicts and settlements of mould cases in California---------- |
701 |
|
7.2 Recent publicized old cases
in other states----------------------------------------- |
702 |
|
7.3 Legal liability of
insurance companies---------------------------------------------- |
703 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 8 The mould-illness relationship |
801 |
| |
|
|
8.1 Hysteria or
reality?---------------------------------------------------------------- |
801 |
|
8.2 Scientific proof and the
implications of legal liability-------------------------------- |
802 |
|
8.3 Other reports linking mould to serious health and property damage--------------- |
803 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 9 mould insurance primer |
901 |
| |
|
|
9.1 Types of
insurance---------------------------------------------------------------- |
901 |
|
9.2 Traditional mould
insurance------------------------------------------------------- |
902 |
|
9.3 mould insurance? or
incidental mould coverage?----------------------------------- |
903 |
|
9.4 Review your policy
carefully & understand your coverage's------------------------ |
903 |
|
9.5 The basics of mould
contamination insurance coverage---------------------------- |
904 |
|
9.6 Property damage
coverage-------------------------------------------------------- |
905 |
|
9.7 Third-party liability
coverage------------------------------------------------------ |
906 |
|
9.8 Call your insurance agent & report a suspected claim immediately--------------- |
906 |
|
9.9 Protect all property from
any further damage-------------------------------------- |
907 |
|
9.10 Photograph, videotape and
inventory all damaged property----------------------- |
907 |
|
9.11 Handling insurance claims:
where to get the information--------------------------- |
908 |
|
9.12 Your obligation to cooperate with insurance company investigation-------------- |
908 |
|
9.13 Never sign anything
without proper legal advice---------------------------------- |
910 |
|
9.14 Get a second or even third
opinion regarding estimates--------------------------- |
910 |
|
9.15 You don’t have to use
insurer’s “approved contractors”-------------------------- |
911 |
|
9.16 Get professional help if
you need it----------------------------------------------- |
911 |
|
9.17 Statute of
limitations------------------------------------------------------------- |
911 |
|
9.18 Report all unfair claim
handling to your department of insurance or insurance
regulator------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
912 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 10 Toxic mould legislation |
1001 |
| |
|
|
10.1 2003 toxic mould
legislation------------------------------------------------------ |
1001 |
|
10.1.1
Illinois------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1001 |
|
10.1.2
Louisiana---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1001 |
|
10.1.3
Massachusetts----------------------------------------------------------------- |
1001 |
|
10.1.4
Montana----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1001 |
|
10.1.5
Oklahoma--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1002 |
|
10.1.6
Oregon------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
1002 |
|
10.1.7
Pennsylvania------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1002 |
|
10.1.8 Rhode
Island------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1002 |
|
10.1.9
Texas-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1002 |
|
10.2 Toxic mould insurance
legislation------------------------------------------------- |
1003 |
|
10.3 The Comprehensive Loss
Underwriting Exchange (CLUE)----------------------- |
1008 |
|
10.4 Reporting mould damage to
your insurer----------------------------------------- |
1008 |
|
10.5 Things to consider when
reporting mould problem to your insurer----------------- |
1009 |
|
10.6 Additional Living Expense (A.L.E.)
Coverage------------------------------------ |
1009 |
|
10.7 Coverage for personal
items----------------------------------------------------- |
1010 |
|
10.8 The role of your mortgage
company---------------------------------------------- |
1010 |
|
10.9 Resolving disputes with an
insurer or claims adjuster------------------------------ |
1010 |
| |
|
Chapter 11
Effectively handling mould and water damage claims |
1101 |
| |
|
|
11.1 I have identified a potential water damage claim. What should I do?------------- |
1102 |
|
11.2
What can I expect from my
insurance company when I report water damage?---- |
1103 |
|
11.3 What can my insurance
company expect from me?------------------------------- |
1104 |
|
11.4 What can I do if I feel my insurance company is not being responsive?-------- |
1104 |
|
11.5 Should I test my home if I
find mould growing?----------------------------------- |
1105 |
|
11.6 Should I move out of my
home if I discover a mould problem?------------------- |
1106 |
|
11.7 I had to move out of my home. What can I expect from my insurance company regarding
Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage? -------- |
1106 |
|
11.8 How can I control my ALE
expenses?------------------------------------------- |
1107 |
|
11.9 How can I select a qualified remediator? How can I ensure the mould remediation and
repair process is handled correctly and efficiently? ---------- |
1107 |
|
11.10 Should my belongings be
cleaned or replaced?---------------------------------- |
1108 |
|
11.11 What other information do
I need?---------------------------------------------- |
1109 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 12 Texas Department of Insurance
suggested practices for insurers |
1201 |
| |
|
|
12.1 What should the claimant expect when reporting water damage claims? |
1201 |
|
12.2 How can the overall water damage claims handling process be improved? |
1202 |
|
12.3 Should the home be tested? |
1203 |
|
12.4
What factors should be considered when determining
whether a dwelling is wholly or partially untenantable and Additional Living Expense
(ALE) is necessary? |
1203 |
|
12.5 What additional information, assistance and education can the insurer provide the
insured? |
1204 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 13 mould in construction defect
cases |
1301 |
| |
|
|
13.1 Is mould a construction
defect?-------------------------------------------------- |
1301 |
|
13.2 Statute of limitations in
construction defect cases--------------------------------- |
1301 |
|
13.3 mould-related construction
defect cases------------------------------------------ |
1302 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 14 Real estate brokers’ rights
and responsibilities |
1401 |
| |
|
|
14.1 What real estate
professionals must do------------------------------------------- |
1401 |
|
14.2 Conduct a reasonably
diligent visual inspection----------------------------------- |
1401 |
|
14.3 Watch for moldy
conditions------------------------------------------------------ |
1402 |
|
14.4 Disclose any known mould
problems--------------------------------------------- |
1403 |
|
14.5 Incorporate mould considerations into sale and lease agreements----------------- |
1404 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 15 Landlord rights and
responsibilities |
1501 |
| |
|
|
15.1 Obligations and duties of
landlords----------------------------------------------- |
1501 |
|
15.2 Your options if the
landlord won’t make required repairs------------------------- |
1502 |
|
15.2.1 Repair and
deduct------------------------------------------------------------- |
1502 |
|
15.2.2
Wait--------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1503 |
|
15.2.3 Do the
repair------------------------------------------------------------------ |
1503 |
|
15.2.4 Let your landlord do the
repair------------------------------------------------- |
1503 |
|
15.2.5 Get your money
back---------------------------------------------------------- |
1503 |
|
15.3 How many times can I do
this?--------------------------------------------------- |
1504 |
|
15.4 Can I use repair & deduct
for cosmetic purposes?------------------------------- |
1504 |
|
15.5 Can I use repair & deduct to put accommodation for my disability--------------- |
1504 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 16 Tenant rights and
responsibilities |
1601 |
| |
|
|
16.1 What the landlord is
required to do---------------------------------------------- |
1601 |
|
16.1.1 Maintain
facilities-------------------------------------------------------------- |
1601 |
|
16.1.2 Comply with building
codes---------------------------------------------------- |
1602 |
|
16.1.3 Keep common areas
safe------------------------------------------------------ |
1602 |
|
16.1.4 Keep premises in safe
and habitable condition---------------------------------- |
1602 |
|
16.2 What the tenant is
required to do------------------------------------------------- |
1603 |
|
16.3 Checking into your
apartment or house------------------------------------------- |
1604 |
|
16.4 Renter’s
insurance--------------------------------------------------------------- |
1605 |
|
16.5 Lawn
upkeep-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1605 |
|
16.6 Quiet
enjoyment----------------------------------------------------------------- |
1605 |
|
16.7 Repairs and mould
remediation to your rental------------------------------------ |
1606 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 17 Landlord and tenant disputes |
1701 |
| |
|
|
17.1 Withhold
rent-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1701 |
|
17.2 Abandonment of
lease----------------------------------------------------------- |
1701 |
|
17.3 Small claims
court--------------------------------------------------------------- |
1701 |
|
17.4 What you need to show as
tenant in small claims court--------------------------- |
1702 |
|
17.5
Evictions------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1703 |
|
17.6 Security
deposits---------------------------------------------------------------- |
1703 |
|
17.7 Landlord’s obligations
during the lease------------------------------------------- |
1703 |
|
17.8 Landlord’s obligations at
the end of the lease------------------------------------- |
1704 |
|
17.9 Normal wear and tear
damage--------------------------------------------------- |
1704 |
|
17.10 What to do if landlord unlawfully withheld excessive security deposit-------- |
1705 |
| |
|
|
. |
1801 |
| |
|
|
18.1 Suing your landlord under
“warranty of habitability”------------------------------ |
1801 |
|
18.2 Local code
enforcement--------------------------------------------------------- |
1801 |
|
18.3 Moving out –vacating your
rental------------------------------------------------- |
1802 |
|
18.4 Rent
escrow--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1802 |
|
18.5 Landlord retaliation is
illegal------------------------------------------------------ |
1802 |
|
18.6 How to sue your
landlord-------------------------------------------------------- |
1802 |
|
18.7 How to find the landlord
–the owner of the land---------------------------------- |
1803 |
|
18.8 Serving the right person
with the court papers------------------------------------ |
1804 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 19 Consumers’ home-buying and
home remodeling guide |
1901 |
| |
|
|
19.1 What to do before you
buy------------------------------------------------------ |
1901 |
|
19.2 Demand full
disclosure----------------------------------------------------------- |
1902 |
|
19.3 Conduct a general home
inspection---------------------------------------------- |
1902 |
|
19.4 Follow
up----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
1902 |
|
19.5 Hire a professional home
inspector----------------------------------------------- |
1902 |
|
19.6 Inspection: when and how
it should be done-------------------------------------- |
1903 |
|
19.7 Building a new
home------------------------------------------------------------- |
1904 |
|
19.8 Home-buying
FAQ-------------------------------------------------------------- |
1904 |
|
19.9 Guard yourself against
poor construction work----------------------------------- |
1906 |
|
19.10 What the new home buyer should know before close of escrow----------------- |
1907 |
|
19.11 What is binding
arbitration?----------------------------------------------------- |
1911 |
|
19.12 Russian
roulette---------------------------------------------------------------- |
1912 |
|
19.13 Just who Is really being harmed the most by the arbitration clause?---------- |
1913 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 20 Insuring projects with mould
coverage |
2001 |
| |
|
|
20.1 How builders should manage and insure their risks and assets------------------- |
2002 |
|
20.2 Building industry
liability crisis---------------------------------------------------- |
2002 |
|
20.3 General liability
insurance-------------------------------------------------------- |
2003 |
|
20.4 Eight-point plan to manage
your risks-------------------------------------------- |
2004 |
|
20.5 What builders must do when
mould and fungus arise----------------------------- |
2006 |
|
20.6 mould and pollution
exclusion---------------------------------------------------- |
2008 |
|
20.7 Subcontractor exclusion
endorsements------------------------------------------- |
2009 |
|
20.8 “Discharged”, “dispersed,” and other terminologies used by courts-------------- |
2010 |
|
20.9 Is mould a
“pollutant”?----------------------------------------------------------- |
2011 |
|
20.10 New insurance language
that excludes coverage for mould---------------------- |
2012 |
|
20.11 New insurance products to
deal with mould------------------------------------- |
2012 |
|
20.12 CGL policies and the
liability crisis---------------------------------------------- |
2013 |
|
20.13 From “buyer beware” to
“builder beware”-------------------------------------- |
2013 |
|
20.14 What builders must do to
survive----------------------------------------------- |
2014 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 21 The mediation alternative to
lawsuits |
2101 |
| |
|
|
21.1 Mediation definition and
overview------------------------------------------------ |
2101 |
|
21.2 Who can mediate a
case?-------------------------------------------------------- |
2102 |
|
21.3 Mediate or
Litigate?------------------------------------------------------------- |
2102 |
|
21.4 Will the court make me
mediate?------------------------------------------------- |
2102 |
|
21.5 How do I start the
mediation process?------------------------------------------- |
2103 |
|
21.6 What if mediation does not settle my
case?--------------------------------------- |
2103 |
|
21.7 What is the secret to a
successful mediation?------------------------------------- |
2103 |
|
21.8 Seven (7) things your lawyer should do to succeed at mediation----------------- |
1701 |
|
21.8.1 Choose a mediator
carefully--------------------------------------------------- |
1701 |
|
21.8.2 Prepare for mediation as
if preparing for trial----------------------------------- |
1702 |
|
21.8.3 Negotiate at a time and
place it is advantageous-------------------------------- |
1703 |
|
21.8.4 Share information
strategically-------------------------------------------------- |
1704 |
|
21.8.5 Prepare the
mediator---------------------------------------------------------- |
1705 |
|
21.8.6 Use the mediator as a
messenger----------------------------------------------- |
1706 |
|
21.8.7 Seal the deal in
writing--------------------------------------------------------- |
1707 |
| |
|
|
Chapter 22 The dark side of arbitration |
2201 |
| |
|
|
22.1 The abuse of binding
arbitration in new-home contracts-------------------------- |
2201 |
|
22.2 The nature of binding
arbitration-------------------------------------------------- |
2201 |
|
22.3 Lack of consumer
protection for new homebuyers------------------------------- |
2202 |
|
22.4 History of arbitration in
home contracts------------------------------------------ |
2204 |
|
22.5 Interim studies by the
Texas House of Representatives--------------------------- |
2205 |
|
22.6 Homebuilders with
arbitration clauses-------------------------------------------- |
2206 |
|
22.7 Lack of an “Alternative” Dispute Resolution (ADR)
system----------------------- |
2208 |
|
22.8 Other available Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
systems------------------- |
2208 |
|
22.9 The benefits of
arbitration to the homebuilding industry.--------------------------- |
2209 |
|
22.10 High cost of
arbitration--------------------------------------------------------- |
2210 |
|
22.11 Biased
arbitrators-------------------------------------------------------------- |
2211 |
|
22.12 Exceptions to the
arbitration clause--------------------------------------------- |
2212 |
|
22.13 Recommendations and
conclusions--------------------------------------------- |
2212 |
|
22.14 Arbitration FAQs: Is binding arbitration faster, cheaper, better?----------------- |
2213 |
|
22.14.1 Is binding arbitration faster than our court system?------------------- |
2213 |
|
22.14.2 Is binding arbitration cheaper than our court system?---------------- |
2213 |
|
22.14.3 Do I have a choice to select arbitration over our court system?------ |
2214 |
22.14.4 Should I buy a new home with a mandatory
arbitration clause in the contract?-------------------------------------------- |
2214 |
|
22.14.5 Which builder in Texas have mandatory arbitration clause?---------- |
2214 |
| |
|
Chapter 23
mould victims can become medical malpractice victims |
2301 |
| |
|
|
23.1 Types of medical
malpractice---------------------------------------------------- |
2301 |
|
23.2 Damages for medical
malpractice------------------------------------------------ |
2302 |
|
23.3 Medical
records----------------------------------------------------------------- |
2302 |
|
23.4 Limits on
recoveries------------------------------------------------------------- |
2302 |
|
23.5 Surgical
injuries------------------------------------------------------------------ |
2302 |
|
23.6 Surgical injury statute of
limitations----------------------------------------------- |
2303 |
|
|
|
Appendix A: Legal form – Tenant legal notice to landlord of mould infestation- |
2401 |
Appendix B: Legal Form – Tenant legal notice to landlord
that tenant is withholding rent
--------------------------------------------------------- |
2403 |
|
Appendix C: Legal form – Tenant
legal notice to vacate------------------------------- |
2405 |
|
Index--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
2501 |