Guest guest Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 Hi everyone, I have a friend with a serious problem and I told her that I would see if anyone on the board might have a suggestion on what they might do. My friends' house was damaged when a local utility company damaged a cesspool/sewerline to their house. They are snowbirds so they found the problem after a few months. The basement was contaminated with the sewage. They contacted the utility and the utility wanted them to settle for a very small amount. They didn't settle and so the basement was not cleaned up. At the time they found it - the basement was tested for mold and high levels were found and the testing company said that it needed to be remediated. Because that has not happened, the mold has now moved up to the first floor. Originally, the testing company did not test the first floor at the same time as the basement, I am assuming because there was no apparent contamination. After the first floor started to appear contaminated, the same company tested the first and second floors. The first floor was contaminated with similar molds as the basement and the second floor is still uncontaminated. The utilty is saying that the first floor was already contaminated prior to the leak into the basement because it wasn't tested when the first test was performed on the basement. Is there any way to debunk this? Her husband passed away last year - she feels that this was a large contributing factor, and I do too. Her lawyer is trying to help but this is new for him- Please email me backchannel or through the board with any suggestions- thank you in advance- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 There is no scientific way for a lay person to debunk this that I can imagine - except to show that the 2nd floor is uncontaminated...and if it becomes contaminated over time then there is an argument that contamination is moving upwards. Unfortunately, the corporations tend to win these disputes because they have deeper pockets from which to fight. Lipsey in FL (I think) charges $300/hr., I think, to give his opinions on this sort of thing - he needs 5 hours up front, I think, to read anything and then scribble a few lines...but he claims that defense folks fold when they find out he's on the case... I've actually had attys send us away because we had worked with him, however. But there are few folks who are relatively neutral and 'objective' on this subject. Truth is, the utility doesn't know if it was there before and your friend doesn't know. And no one wants to go to court. So it all comes down to who can get an expert to make the best argument. But that costs a pretty penny that the plaintiff is already out because they were wronged... We're supposed to have the best legal/justice system in the *cough* world. Don't get me started on what we've been through with a death and how far we haven't gotten yet... Choices are pretty much take the pittance they offer or shell out money for an expert - unless there is an official or agency that oversees the utility... Best of luck. And if you want Lipsey's info, I'll send it. ~Haley madeskv <madeskv@...> wrote: Hi everyone, I have a friend with a serious problem and I told her that I would see if anyone on the board might have a suggestion on what they might do. My friends' house was damaged when a local utility company damaged a cesspool/sewerline to their house. They are snowbirds so they found the problem after a few months. The basement was contaminated with the sewage. They contacted the utility and the utility wanted them to settle for a very small amount. They didn't settle and so the basement was not cleaned up. At the time they found it - the basement was tested for mold and high levels were found and the testing company said that it needed to be remediated. Because that has not happened, the mold has now moved up to the first floor. Originally, the testing company did not test the first floor at the same time as the basement, I am assuming because there was no apparent contamination. After the first floor started to appear contaminated, the same company tested the first and second floors. The first floor was contaminated with similar molds as the basement and the second floor is still uncontaminated. The utilty is saying that the first floor was already contaminated prior to the leak into the basement because it wasn't tested when the first test was performed on the basement. Is there any way to debunk this? Her husband passed away last year - she feels that this was a large contributing factor, and I do too. Her lawyer is trying to help but this is new for him- Please email me backchannel or through the board with any suggestions- thank you in advance- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 They need a lawyer. The entire house may need sterilizing at high temperatures, in addition to mold remediation. Endotoxins can be as dangerous as mold, or even more so. Look at the terrible outcomes for people poisoned by e-coli. Also, endotoxin + mold toxins can be many times more dangerous than either kind of toxin exposure alone. Some mycotoxins become much more powerful when combined with endotoxins like LPS. If I were them I would consider trying to get compensation for the entire house and letting them deal with the remediation issues. .. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 , I'm sorry.. I read your post but I often forget things very quickly. I think she needs to get out of there for good and SUE. Every moment spent talking sucks her energy away.. she needs to get into a safe place and then get a good lawyer who will realize that this was a factor in her husbands death and behaves appropriately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 When it comes to Dr. Lipsey there is not a SINGLE thing that is negative that I could say. His RETAINER is less than what most of the others charges and a large portion of the time he " forgets " to bill for things which I think is something others need to emulate! His repuration is beyond reproach and his successes speak for themselves. I have just reatined him for the SECOND time and have NO doubts about his charges/performance etc. His reports are truthful and if you don't have case he is NOT going to lie or bullshit for anyone that will compromise his reputation which a lot of " experts " will skew reports to who is funding them. Lipsey does NOT have a PRICE onhis head/reputation. Anyone who attacks him or says things that are false will DEAL with me, as I have the first hand knoweldge of his services and craedibility. Angel On Tue, 20 Mar 2007, Haley wrote: > Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:07:42 -0700 (PDT) > From: Haley <myhaze@...> > Reply- > > Subject: Re: [] help for a friend > > There is no scientific way for a lay person to debunk this that I can imagine - except to show that the 2nd floor is uncontaminated...and if it becomes contaminated over time then there is an argument that contamination is moving upwards. > > Unfortunately, the corporations tend to win these disputes because they have deeper pockets from which to fight. Lipsey in FL (I think) charges $300/hr., I think, to give his opinions on this sort of thing - he needs 5 hours up front, I think, to read anything and then scribble a few lines...but he claims that defense folks fold when they find out he's on the case... I've actually had attys send us away because we had worked with him, however. But there are few folks who are relatively neutral and 'objective' on this subject. > > Truth is, the utility doesn't know if it was there before and your friend doesn't know. And no one wants to go to court. So it all comes down to who can get an expert to make the best argument. But that costs a pretty penny that the plaintiff is already out because they were wronged... We're supposed to have the best legal/justice system in the *cough* world. Don't get me started on what we've been through with a death and how far we haven't gotten yet... > > Choices are pretty much take the pittance they offer or shell out money for an expert - unless there is an official or agency that oversees the utility... > > Best of luck. And if you want Lipsey's info, I'll send it. > > ~Haley > > madeskv <madeskv@...> wrote: Hi everyone, > > I have a friend with a serious problem and I told her that I would see > if anyone on the board might have a suggestion on what they might do. > My friends' house was damaged when a local utility company damaged a > cesspool/sewerline to their house. They are snowbirds so they found > the problem after a few months. The basement was contaminated with the > sewage. They contacted the utility and the utility wanted them to > settle for a very small amount. They didn't settle and so the basement > was not cleaned up. At the time they found it - the basement was > tested for mold and high levels were found and the testing company > said that it needed to be remediated. Because that has not happened, > the mold has now moved up to the first floor. Originally, the testing > company did not test the first floor at the same time as the basement, > I am assuming because there was no apparent contamination. After the > first floor started to appear contaminated, the same company tested > the first and second floors. The first floor was contaminated with > similar molds as the basement and the second floor is still > uncontaminated. The utilty is saying that the first floor was already > contaminated prior to the leak into the basement because it wasn't > tested when the first test was performed on the basement. Is there any > way to debunk this? Her husband passed away last year - she feels > that this was a large contributing factor, and I do too. Her lawyer is > trying to help but this is new for him- > > Please email me backchannel or through the board with any suggestions- > > thank you in advance- > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 I don't think it would be necessary to hire experts as from what I am reading in this, the evidence is visable. I would call the local news and get some press on this. Press is one thing the utility does not want when it comes to something that holds them liable. Even the fact the utilty offered a small settlement is admitting wrong doing on their behalf. I can't understand why her lawyer is having such a hard time with this. Maybe I am not understanding but this should be a no brainer to beat. This should not require a " great " attorney but one who is willing to work it through the justice system. What happened was horrible and should be fought. I know around here, it is against the law for sewage to be left standing as the germs are airborn, at least this was what I was told about 27 years ago. We had a neighbor whose septic tank ran over and they would not have it fixed nor cleaned up. I lived across the street and the odor was horrible. This went on for 2 weeks. I was told by our health dept when I called to make my complaint, that the germs are airborn and a health hazard to the neighborhood! If this is a health hazard to an entire neighborhood, my guess it would be a major hazard in the same house. For our neighbors, they were charged for breaking the county health ordiance. Just because the damage has not made it to the 2nd floor, does not necessarly mean it is safe up there. Mold or no mold, sewage laft standing is a health hazard for the occupants and those around. The lax attitude the utility is taking needs to be challenged in court as well. The fact that the utility did nothing to clean this mess up in a timely matter is the best way to debulk this. Those kind of germs don't have to make their way up to the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floor...raw sewage is a health hazard period and spans a distance. > > Hi everyone, > > I have a friend with a serious problem and I told her that I would see > if anyone on the board might have a suggestion on what they might do. > My friends' house was damaged when a local utility company damaged a > cesspool/sewerline to their house. They are snowbirds so they found > the problem after a few months. The basement was contaminated with the > sewage. They contacted the utility and the utility wanted them to > settle for a very small amount. They didn't settle and so the basement > was not cleaned up. At the time they found it - the basement was > tested for mold and high levels were found and the testing company > said that it needed to be remediated. Because that has not happened, > the mold has now moved up to the first floor. Originally, the testing > company did not test the first floor at the same time as the basement, > I am assuming because there was no apparent contamination. After the > first floor started to appear contaminated, the same company tested > the first and second floors. The first floor was contaminated with > similar molds as the basement and the second floor is still > uncontaminated. The utilty is saying that the first floor was already > contaminated prior to the leak into the basement because it wasn't > tested when the first test was performed on the basement. Is there any > way to debunk this? Her husband passed away last year - she feels > that this was a large contributing factor, and I do too. Her lawyer is > trying to help but this is new for him- > > Please email me backchannel or through the board with any suggestions- > > thank you in advance- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Hi - Thanks- I am going to pass all the info on to my friend- I would think it should be easy too but I am not directly involved. thanks again, Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Thanks Haley- I'm passing this on to her- Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Hi quack- I pretty much suggested the same thing - the house should definitely go- Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Thanks Angel- I am sending her all the info so she can see what she wants to do- Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 On Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:48:56 -0000, you wrote: >Hi everyone, > >I have a friend with a serious problem and I told her that I would see >if anyone on the board might have a suggestion on what they might do. >My friends' house was damaged when a local utility company damaged a >cesspool/sewerline to their house. They are snowbirds so they found >the problem after a few months. The basement was contaminated with the >sewage. They contacted the utility and the utility wanted them to >settle for a very small amount. They didn't settle and so the basement >was not cleaned up. At the time they found it - the basement was >tested for mold and high levels were found and the testing company >said that it needed to be remediated. Seems to me they should have gotten the problem taken care of asap and than worried about their dispute with the utility company. I don't see how they have any case other than the original damage. I no lawyer though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 On Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:27:02 -0000, you wrote: > I don't think it would be necessary to hire experts as from what I >am reading in this, the evidence is visable. I would call the local >news and get some press on this. Press is one thing the utility does >not want when it comes to something that holds them liable. Even the >fact the utilty offered a small settlement is admitting wrong doing This is exactly why Bob at Progreen didn't warn me he was using a granular pesticide and not watering it in. Doing so would be admitting culpability if I were stupid enough to mow even after being warned. This is why the travel trailer manufacture won't honor their 2 year warranty on the floor of my brand new 18k travel trailer and instead hide like a cornered animal waiting for the plaintiffs and lawyers armed with professional witnesses to go for their jugular. My Trailer with manufactures defect: http://geocities.com/antares40_40/trailer.html I would like to go on a rant about the injustice here, and how we reap what we sow, but it would just fall on deaf ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 I'm skeptical-can you find any doctor's names on this site? because the first thing I would do is research where and what the drs. trained in. Are they MDs? Did they do any residencies in environmental medicine or maybe preventive medicine? When I chose a doctor my daughter helped me research his qualifications-sure it doesn't mean everything but if I was going into a " doctor's " office I'd like to know what kind of doctors they were. The info is really sketchy. Call them and see if they happily provide this info-if not....I don't know. > > Has anyone heard of these clinics and has anyone used them at all.� Any info I > am grateful.�� > > > http://www.moldtc.com/Locations.html > � > � > > God Bless !! > dragonflymcs > Mayleen > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 I totally agree. I looked and found nothing. So I posted because we all know how precious money is and I would hate to see her spend some in the wrong place.    Thank you !! God Bless !! dragonflymcs Mayleen ________________________________ From: surellabaer <surellabaer@...> Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 6:59:02 PM Subject: [] Re: Help for a Friend  I'm skeptical-can you find any doctor's names on this site? because the first thing I would do is research where and what the drs. trained in. Are they MDs? Did they do any residencies in environmental medicine or maybe preventive medicine? When I chose a doctor my daughter helped me research his qualifications-sure it doesn't mean everything but if I was going into a " doctor's " office I'd like to know what kind of doctors they were. The info is really sketchy. Call them and see if they happily provide this info-if not....I don't know. > > Has anyone heard of these clinics and has anyone used them at all.� Any info >I > > am grateful.�� > > > http://www.moldtc.com/Locations.html > � > � > > God Bless !! > dragonflymcs > Mayleen > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Maleen, I never have heard of anyone going here. I have been meaning to call them but I think it was only a dream many of us have had that never took off. The website is real basic that does not offer any real info or treatment protacol. Nothing about Drs. > > > > Has anyone heard of these clinics and has anyone used them at all.� Any info > >I > > > > am grateful.�� > > > > > > http://www.moldtc.com/Locations.html > > � > > � > > > > God Bless !! > > dragonflymcs > > Mayleen > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Thank you KC,  That is why I was asking, there is no info  but say they are going to open more centers.  What ?? I do not want her to waist valuable time, money and energy......especially money that does not come by easy for any of us. God Bless !! dragonflymcs Mayleen ________________________________ From: KC <tigerpaw2c@...> Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 11:44:33 PM Subject: [] Re: Help for a Friend  Maleen, I never have heard of anyone going here. I have been meaning to call them but I think it was only a dream many of us have had that never took off. The website is real basic that does not offer any real info or treatment protacol. Nothing about Drs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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