August 28, 2001 -Ex-teacher Sues, Claims Say Toxic Mold Harmed Her Health

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Three former West Carrollton High School teachers are asking for at least $2 million each in damages from the school district on grounds they have been disabled by exposure to toxic molds that district officials failed to promptly remove.

In a lawsuit filed Monday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Susan Googash, Carolyn McMillen and Toni Craig also claim that Superintendent Rusty Clifford and the West Carrollton school board knowingly concealed "the extent and severity" of the hazards posed by molds - which are alleged to have existed throughout the West Carrollton High School/Middle School complex. But Clifford said Monday the district has been out front in testing for a possible mold problem; and that five assessments have failed to detect any kind of airborne toxic or hazardous organic matter. "I'm not saying they didn't find problems - like ceiling tile that needed replacement and so on. But we have, as each group came in and did an assessment . . ., taken care of it immediately," Clifford said.

The lawsuit said school district officials were made aware of the "existence of the dangerous condition" in 1999, but failed to take prompt action to notify employees of a potential health risk or to rid the schools of the hazard. Clifford said officials were told of possible danger by Googash and, in September 1999, contracted for a building assessment by Hayden and Associates, a Dayton environmental engineering firm. Subsequent testing was performed by the Combined Health District of Montgomery County, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Division of Safety and Hygiene, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Quality Management of Cincinnati, he said.

The lawsuit says all three teachers have suffered injuries that have left them unable to work and faced with extensive medical and related costs. It requests a jury trial and claims each teacher is entitled to $2 million in punitive damages and at least $25,000 in compensatory damages.

In all Sick Building Syndrome cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the incident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of injury as a result of exposure to toxic mold, call The Law Offices of Leandros A. Vrionedes, P.C. now at (212) 889-9362 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.