Mold, insurance problems stagger family

[Guest guest]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1281 & dept_id=517514 & newsid=10956045 & PAG=461 & rfi=9

Mold, insurance problems stagger family

Andy Bromage , Register Staff

02/12/2004

ANSONIA — Jim and Verrinder say their lives have been turned upside down since a plumbing problem caused a mold outbreak in their Platt Street home almost six months ago. They haven’t been able to live there since.On Sept. 25, a toilet in the second floor apartment above the couple’s home broke, spewing sewage water into the bedroom of their son Matt, 9, which lay below. The water hit a spinning ceiling fan in the room and splattered all over walls, ceiling tiles and floors, the Verrinders said. Later, the water leaked into the basement.The Verrinders, of 27 Platt St., say they waited 11 days before an adjuster from Allstate Insurance Co. showed up to inspect the damage. The company had told them to leave things as they were in the meantime, the family said. In that time, the wetness caused black mold to grow in many parts of the house, including on clothing, toys and books, the couple says.The mold affected the family’s health and forced them to relocate, the Verrinders said. After gathering a handful of belongings, the family moved in with Verrinder’s parents in Ansonia and have still not returned home."It’s been a nightmare," said Verrinder, 44, who works as a nurse at Orange Elementary School.The Verrinders place blame squarely on Allstate, saying company officials have mishandled their claim since day one. The company did inadequate air testing, insufficient mold abatement and paid the Verrinders too little for relocation costs, the couple said. Recently, Allstate sent the couple a check for almost $10,000. He said relocation costs should be more than $25,000.Last month, the couple finally took their case to the state, filing a formal complaint against Allstate with the state Insurance Department.The Insurance Department is reviewing the matter, said Kate Kiernan-Pagani, spokeswoman for the department. A disposition is expected in several weeks, she said.Gwen , corporate relations manager for Allstate, said the company has forwarded the case to its legal counsel for review. The company is still investigating the Verrinders’ claim, she said."It’s unfortunate this has been going on as long as it has," said. "Our goal is to try and satisfy the claim and make the customer whole again."The family’s home is in disarray from ongoing attempts to abate the mold, the Verrinders said. Matt’s bedroom has been stripped down to the studs and is sealed off with plastic sheeting. An air scrubber positioned in the middle of the bare room hums loudly, circulating air every 10 minutes to remove mold spores. The family thinks it could be May before they are able to return. Verrinder coughs frequently as she talks and says the mold has aggravated a pre-existing allergy."I started to not feel right about 13 days after the accident," Verrinder said. The couple was planning a snowmobile vacation in northern New England next week during Matt’s school vacation, but now says they may have to cancel. Jim Verrinder, 43, who works as a painting contractor, says dealing with the house on a daily basis has caused him to lose work opportunities.

Andy Bromage can be reached abromage@..., or 734-2813.