Mold toxicity can make you very sick. It’s important to watch for signs of mold in your home as well as for symptoms of mold toxicity so you can take action.
Our personal injury lawyer at Matthew De Lira can help if you were exposed to mold as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of a landlord, home seller, or other property owners whose failures caused you to develop mold-related illnesses.
Read on to learn about signs of mold and symptoms of mold toxicity, and give us a call if you are having mold-related health issues and wish to take legal action.
Signs of mold in your home
Signs of mold in your home can include:
- A persistent earthy or musty smell
- Visible discoloration of surfaces in your home, including white, green, black, or brown spots or patches
- Fuzzy spots on walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, or other surfaces
- Peeling paint
- Warped walls
- Excessive moisture
- Damp walls, floors, or upholstery
- Soft spots on floors
- Condensation on pipes, walls, or windows
If you notice signs of mold, report them to your landlord or hire an inspector to come out and determine if you have a mold problem so it can be remediated.
If your landlord fails to take action, document their refusal, as this could help you in a damage claim later if the mold makes you sick.
Symptoms of mold toxicity
If you are exposed to toxic mold, you could become sick. It is important to watch for symptoms so you can get appropriate medical treatment and take action to have the mold source removed before you develop chronic health issues that are incurable.
Some of the potential symptoms of mold toxicity to watch for include:
- Cognitive impairments such as memory problems, unexplained anxiety, and brain fog
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent bloating
- Food intolerance
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Unexplained weight changes
- Numbness or tingling
- A metallic taste in your mouth
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
- Mood changes
- Rashes
- Hair loss
- Excessive thirst
- Dehydration
- Bed-wetting in children
- Excessive fatigue that affects your ability to do routine activities
- Respiratory problems
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- COPD
These symptoms of mold exposure can occur because of a chemical and inflammatory response to dangerous mold that is present in your home.
In some cases, removal of the mold can resolve the symptoms. In other circumstances, you may suffer lasting harm that you should be compensated for if someone else caused your mold exposure.
Getting diagnosed with mold toxicity
If you suspect mold toxicity, you should see a doctor. Your doctor can perform several tests, including:
- A urinalysis to test for metabolites of mold
- A urinalysis to test for mycotoxins
- A test of your glutathione levels
- Sputum cultures to analyze your phlegm
These tests are not perfect, and it is important to have a home inspection as well in order to identify whether mold is present and the type of mold. Keep all records proving you were made sick due to mold to help if you wish to pursue a claim for damages.
Getting help from a toxic mold lawyer
If you have been exposed to toxic mold because of a landlord or other property owner responsible to you and you are sick, Matthew De Lira is here to help you.
Our legal team has extensive experience representing victims of mold-related illnesses, and we can put our legal knowledge to work to help you get full and fair compensation for losses. Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation to learn more.