Law grad files suit over mold allegations

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Law grad files suit over mold allegations

By Hilton June 17, 2005

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2005/06/17/news/news02.txt

A Colorado Springs woman who graduated from Dickinson School of Law

last month is suing the school, claiming toxic mold in her dorm room

made her sick.

Masayo Quick, is suing Penn State University, the owner of the law

school, for $25,000 in damages.

In its reply, PSU denies that any mold ever existed in the law

school dorm room.

During her first year at DSL, from August 2002-May 2003, Quick lived

in Levinson Curtilage residence hall at 150 S. College St.

" In October 2002, the first signs and symptoms of the plaintiff's

adverse health condition appeared as small circles of irritation to

her right hand, causing flaky, dry and red skin, with attendant

pain, " her lawsuit contends.

Condition grew worse

Quick claims her condition " steadily worsened " and, by the end of

November, her swollen hands bled from deep cracks in her skin. The

color of her skin changed to a " gray-ashen " color.

From December 2002-January 2003, Quick lived at home in Colorado

Springs and " her skin returned to normal by the end of winter

break, " the lawsuit says.

Moving back to her dorm room, " The adverse health conditions

returned upon her first night in her dorm room and the rash returned

the next morning, " the suit alleges.

During the winter of 2003, Quick says her skin " began to ooze a thin

yellow liquid, sometimes profusely. " The red rash spread to her legs

and back, the lawsuit reads.

Medical treatment stalled the advance of the skin condition, but did

not cure it. Quick contends her doctors advised her to check her

dorm room for signs of mold, " which she did and personally observed

mold-covered areas of her common living area. "

What mold can do

The Centers for Disease Control reports that exposure to mold " can

cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing,

or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious

allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions.... Severe

reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. "

In her lawsuit, Quick says she was diagnosed with dermatitis and her

symptoms continued for " some time " after she moved out of the dorm.

She was also diagnosed with sinitus and respiratory problems and has

permanent scarring on her body, the lawsuit contends.

Quick seeks $25,000 in damages for " great bodily pain, suffering and

humiliation, embarrassment, mental anguish and inconvenience. " She

claims PSU should have known about and removed the mold earlier.

`Was free to leave'

However, PSU claims the mold never existed.

" At no time has toxic mold or any other type of contamination been

discovered at Levinson Curtilage, " the response reads.

The university notes that alternative housing was found for Quick as

soon as she reported her health issues.

The student " was free to leave the student housing and find other

housing on her own at any time if she found the student housing

inadequate, " the PSU response contends.