Complaint Filed by Law Firm Hersh & Hersh Alleges Nearly 20 Workers Rendered Ill by Toxic Mold Found in San Benito County Government Building.Business Editors/Legal Writers HOLLISTER, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2003 Hersh & Hersh Represents Plaintiffs; Files County's First Toxic Mold Claim Against Office Building Landlord San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden plaintiff rights law firm Hersh & Hersh today announced that it has filed 18 individual complaints so far on behalf of employees of the San Benito County Department of Child Support Services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services , based in Hollister. Each complaint, filed in San Benito County Superior Court, states that the one-story office building, located at 220 San Felipe Road, has been a breeding ground for dangerous toxic mold due to chronic water intrusion and leakage. Hersh & Hersh alleges that because of neglect and faulty building maintenance, air quality inside the premises -- and the health and well being of Hersh & Hersh plaintiffs -- have been adversely affected. "California law requires landlords to maintain their premises in a safe and sanitary condition and to remedy known health hazards," said Charles Kelly II, Hersh & Hersh attorney representing San Benito County plaintiffs. "We believe this is a case in which the landlord is being negligent and not looking out for the health and welfare of its tenants." Hersh & Hersh attorneys contend that county employees had notified the building owner and landlord, Lawrence Family LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control on numerous occasions complaining that the hazardous fungal growth was causing a range of health problems including respiratory, sinus, gastro-intestinal, and skin rashes -- even neurological damage -- prior to filing the complaints. But despite employees' persistent efforts Lawrence Family has failed to perform the necessary repairs even though they promised to do so. Moreover, attorneys argue, employees have suffered the loss of earnings and will continue to incur medical expenses precipitated by the harmful exposure. According to the World Health Organization, countless cases have been reported and it now estimates that one out of three employees is working in a place that is making them sick and it is costing businesses billions each year in lost productivity. Locally, the California Legislature has addressed the "sick building" problem in the last 12 months by appointing a taskforce to identify standards and ultimately provide guidelines to building owners, landlords and contractors. Hersh & Hersh has identified a particular fungus in the Hollister building as stachybotrys, which is becoming more common in homes and buildings within the United States and Canada. Stachybotrys is a greenish black mold black mold Stachybotrys chatarum Public health A fungus found in moist environments–eg, schools, etc, which may cause nasal congestion, eye irritation, fever, wheezing, SOB that typically grows on building materials such as wood, ceiling tile, drywall, insulation backing, cardboard boxes, paper files, etc. when these items become water damaged. The fungus tends to proliferate in very wet or high humid conditions due to plumbing leaks or water leaking through foundations. Many experts agree, in fact, that once a building has been contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. with this fungus, it is extremely difficult to remediate it. Lawrence Family has until February 8 to respond to complaints filed by Hersh & Hersh. About Hersh & Hersh Hersh & Hersh is a San Francisco-based law firm dedicated to protecting the safety and rights of consumers. The law firm represents clients both on an individual level and in class and multi-district litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. , and has pursued and won a wide range of civil suits, from product liability, medical malpractice Improper, unskilled, or negligent treatment of a patient by a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional. and insurance bad faith ''' Insurance bad faith refers to a claim that an insured person has against an insurance company for bad acts. Under the law of nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, Insurance companies owe a duty of good faith in dealing with the persons they insure. to sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. and employee discrimination. For the past 32 years, Hersh & Hersh has been committed to using the law to protect individuals by making sure companies exercise due diligence Research; analysis; your homework. This term has caught on in all industries, because it sounds so "wired." Who would want to do analysis or research when they can do due diligence. See wired. in manufacturing their products and operate in good faith in delivering their services. |
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