HOUSTON – A mold exposure lawsuit was recently filed against Camden Properties.
Seeking up to $1 million in damages, Kelly Hrebenar and Rachel Paulson filed the suit May 25 in Harris County District Court. They are represented by Daly & Black attorneys Andrew Dao, Ajay Ketkar and Kyle Patrick Malone, as well as Ash Tadghighi of the Tadghighi Law Group.
According to the lawsuit, Camden has a sizeable investment portfolio and owns over 170 apartment complexes across the country, reporting $1 billion in revenue in 2020 alone.
After moving into their apartment unit at Camden Sugar Grove, plaintiffs began feeling ill, including respiratory pressures and other symptoms. On or about April 3 they noticed mold inside the apartment and on several windows. Two days later they requested that the defendant test the substance, to confirm it was mold.
“Defendant demonstrated a complete lack of concern,” the suit states. “Defendant refused to test it. Defendant also refused to move Plaintiffs to a different unit after Plaintiffs’ complaints. Defendant’s actions and inaction forced Plaintiffs to use a third-party company to test the substance, and the testing determined it was, in fact, mold.
“Defendant’s reckless decision to delay and not test the mold resulted in our clients’ continued exposure to mold, causing adverse health effects.
The plaintiffs allege that Camden “inexplicably” refused to let them out of their lease, even after knowing about the presence of mold and their symptoms.
“The Defendant refused to accept any wrongdoing,” the suit states. “Defendant is continually putting residents at risk. This lawsuit is necessary to protect Plaintiffs, as well as others.”
The plaintiffs are alleging gross negligence and seek an award of punitive damages. They are also suing for their pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity and loss of household services.