Mold and Health Issues in San Diego Leads to Multimillion Dollar Award for Military Family

This past September it was reported by KGTV that a Marine Corps family in San Diego had been awarded $2 million in a lawsuit against a company that provided military housing. The lawsuit involved medical claims by the family associated with exposure to mold and excessive dampness in their rental property. The housing company denies the allegations and reports it will appeal the ruling.

Cases like this happen all too often between renters and landlords. This case reinforces the importance of thoroughly inspecting a property before signing a lease or rental agreement. In California and in many other locations, landlords and tenants are bound to deal truthfully when negotiating a lease, so prospective tenants should ask about issues dealing with mold, past flooding events, sewage contamination, asbestos, lead and radon.

“Even if mold is not present when a person or couple sign a lease, people need to recognize that mold can begin to grow in as short as 48 hours if water damage occurs indoors and is not handled properly or if there are prolonged periods of elevated humidity,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Most building materials, furnishing and personal belongings will readily support the growth of mold when they are wet or damp. A small issue can quickly become a big issue if the problem is not fixed quickly and comprehensively.”

To identify water damage, mold and a wide range of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) concerns, LA Testing offers laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits, building inspection tools and monitoring instruments for mold.  LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about what mold needs to grow indoors that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/Tr6_zVT-SP0.

To learn more about mold and indoor air quality testing or other environmental, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail