Trial date set for massive mold case

December 22, 2002

Saturday, December 21, 2002

But judge expects settlement in Santa Ana condo residents' suit against more

than 125 builders.

By LISA MUÑOZ

The Orange County Register

SANTA ANA - In what one lawyer called the largest mold-related lawsuit in

the country, a judge set Oct. 3 as the trial date for 510 residents of a

Santa Ana condo complex who say they got sick from mold growing in their

homes.

Orange County Superior Court Judge J. Sundvold said he expects the

case against more than 125 builders to be settled before it reaches the

courtroom. If it does go to trial, he will hear the case in phases because

of the large number of parties involved. The first part will cover alleged

construction defects and 15 of the personal-injury cases.

Friday's ruling marks the most significant development in the case since the

lawsuit was filed in June 2000.

on, a Calabasas attorney who represents the plaintiffs as well

their homeowners' association, said that after two years of fact-finding,

depositions and failed mediation, he is anxious to move forward.

" These folks need some money, " on said. He said his clients have

gotten sick from the mold and many of them remain ill. " They slapped these

boxes together. If these units had been built right, I wouldn't be here

today. "

Ruiz, an attorney for Los Angeles-based developer Goldrich and

Kest, one of the defendants, disagrees. " My client has been wrongfully

accused of contributing to these problems, " Ruiz said. " There are a lot of

other conditions out there that might be contributing to their illnesses. "

Most of Spectrum Community Association's residents are Spanish-speakers,

who, on said, struggled to buy their homes and cannot afford to move.

He is seeking $37 million in damages. on said this case was the

largest of its kind in the nation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----

CONTACT US: (714) 796-6749 or lmunoz@...

Recommended Posts