Toxic Mold

Mold is a common problem in homes. It has the potential to cause serious health problems and can gradually destroy surfaces it comes into contact with, leaving not only your and your family’s health in disrepair, but your home as well.

If you have developed health problems, suffered property damage, or incurred other types of losses because of mold, Hayes Law will try to help you resolve the issue, including recovering the cost of the mold removal from your home.
 

Who may be responsible for toxic mold in your home?

• Builder or contractor. Your home’s builder, general contractor, or subcontractor may be responsible for negligence that led to the mold infestation.

• Architect or engineer. The mold may be the result of poor architecture or engineering, such as a failure to include proper ventilation in the design of the home.

• Construction supplier. An infestation can make its way into your home by way of construction materials such as siding or drywall that carry mold.

• Prior owner. South Carolina's Residential Property Condition Disclosure Act requires that owners provide purchasers a disclosure statement prior to the signing of any contracts. If the prior owner knew of the presence of mold but did not disclose it when the home was bought, the owner may be liable for violating this law.

• Realtor. The seller's Realtor (who is an agent of the seller) may also be liable for selling you a home with a mold infestation.

A Place to Thrive: Toxic Mold in South Carolina

• Humidity. South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures during the day averaging near 90 °F (32 °C) across most of the state. This aggressive humidity is the perfect breeding ground for mold.

• Flooding. The Charleston area is among the East Coast’s most vulnerable metropolitan areas to rising seas. The Atlantic often sends floodwaters into streets at high tide, particularly where wetlands and creeks were filled centuries ago to make room for development. Water intrusion is the first ingredient in the recipe for toxic mold.

• Poor Construction. A boom in the Southeastern housing market and lack of skilled labor in the area’s home construction industry has led to rushed build schedules, poor craftsmanship, and hastily built new homes that have any number of construction defects. When a house is not built properly and harbors defective construction, mold is more able to spread, resulting in dangerous mold infestations throughout your home.