Renters sue over apartments

November 22, 2007

Lawsuit cites illnesses that residents blame on mold

Clarion Ledger - ,MS*

By Crowell

kcrowell@...

AID=/20071122/NEWS/711220376/1001/news

Current and former tenants of a Pearl apartment community have filed

a lawsuit against the complex as well as the property management

company, alleging they knowingly allowed residents to live in unsafe

and dangerous conditions.

The lawsuit, which represents one side of a legal argument, alleges

the managers, operators and owners of the Village at Crossgates, 330

Cross Park Drive, were negligent in designing, constructing,

inspecting and/or maintaining the Village, including but not limited

to the specific apartments occupied by the plaintiffs.

Plaintiffs include Rankin County residents Zebert,

Higgins, , and two children.

Biter, president and chief manager of Tennessee-based

Continental Property Management, which manages the Village, said he

could not comment on the lawsuit until he sees it.

To prevail, the plaintiffs must prove the defendants had a reckless

disregard for the rights, health, comfort and safety of the

plaintiffs.

Defects in the the heating and cooling systems of individual

apartments caused mold and other microorganisms to exist at the

Village, court papers allege.

Most of the plaintiffs have had illnesses and respiratory infections

attributed to mold, said plaintiffs' attorney Dale Danks Jr.

" When their doctors determined that the living conditions were the

cause of some of the illnesses, they left, " Danks said of his

clients.

The tenants are seeking the amount of all rent paid; payment of

past, present and future medical bills; the value of certain nursing

services; and recovery for past, present and future pain and

emotional distress.

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To comment on this story, call Crowell at (601) 961-7266.

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