Deadly strain of mold forces minister's family from home

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http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=950519

Deadly strain of mold forces minister's family from home

SARAH STEWART reports

Updated: September 26, 2002 at 11:10 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY - It's a problem plaguing many homeowners today - mold.

One Oklahoma family was forced out of their house because a deadly strain

was growing inside. And, they say their insurance company won't help them,

so they've filed a federal lawsuit.

Their house looks just like any other. It's fully furnished, but no one has

lived there for more than a year. The environment is so dangerous, anyone

who enters must wear a full face respirator just to go inside.

Much of the house looks just as the family left it, virtually untouched. But

it's what you can't see that's potentially deadly.

" It's in the air system. You can't see it, you can't smell it, but it's

there, " said Brent , talking about a deadly form of mold -

stachybotrys. " This sofa that looks like it's just fine actually has

stachybotrys on it, which is a mild toxin producing mold, which is deadly.

And it's growing on that sofa. "

The Metro minister and his wife who used to live in this home were forced

out over a year ago with only the clothes on their back.

Their clothes were contaminated. The insurance company wouldn't pay for

their clothes to be cleaned so they couldn't take them with them. The

problem started when Mike and Carolynn Grogan's washing machine leaked while

they were out of town.

The standing water resulted in the growth of mold.

" They came home to toxic mold [that] had, you know, taken over the house, "

said. " They could smell it when they opened the door. It smelled like

rotten meat. "

The Grogan's called for help when the insurance company wouldn't

completely fix the problem.

" The insurance has still refused to provide a complete remediation and

restoration of their home, " said.

The Grogan's are hoping their federal lawsuit alleging breach of contract,

bad faith and negligence will help. Similar lawsuits in other states have

resulted in multi-million dollar judgments.

" They were told it was safe to be back in the house as it was, " said.

" They weren't told about the danger to them or their grandchildren. "

The Grogans' are insured by Guide One based in Des Moines, Iowa. No one was

available for comment at the company.

Insurance companies say they are having a tough time with these claims for

" toxic mold. " In fact, " Farmers Insurance " company will soon stop renewing

policies in Texas because it is losing millions of dollars in claims for

mold and water damage in that state.