Los Angeles Sick Building Syndrome Lawyers

Sick Building Syndrome

California residents who feel constantly sick in their home, office, or another building and who cannot pinpoint a cause may be suffering from Sick Building Syndrome. And while a doctor is the natural first choice when facing illness, an experienced California sick building syndrome lawyer at Peterson Law Group may be another source of valuable advice.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is the name for the constellation of symptoms some people experience when exposed to toxins, mold, and other contaminants in a building. Symptoms vary, but common ones include the following:

• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea
• Vision problems
• Memory loss

A 2000 case in Tulare County, California featured a judge and court staff suing the county for allowing mold to grow in the county courtroom in which they worked. Exposure to the mold growth left the judge and staff with hair loss, dizziness, vertigo, abdominal pain, respiratory distress, tinnitus, facial swelling and severe rashes.

Because symptoms vary, Sick Building Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the key to a diagnosis is symptoms that begin when the person enters the building and stop soon after the person leaves the building, without another cause for the symptoms. Often the symptoms begin in the respiratory system with coughing or congestion. Sick Building Syndrome that goes untreated may become Building-Related Illness (BRI), which features symptoms that persist for years after exposure has stopped.

Building contaminants that may cause Sick Building Syndrome include:

• chemical contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) out-gassing from carpeting or paint, toluene, formaldehyde, or particles of building materials;
• air pollutants like motor vehicle exhaust or building exhaust that gets pulled back into the building; and
• organic compounds, like mold, bacteria, and pollen.

Inadequate or failed ventilation systems are a common feature of sick buildings, as are drainage problems that result in mold. A 1984 World Health Organization study estimated that up to 30 percent of new buildings were likely to provide poor indoor air quality, particularly when improperly maintained.

California residents who develop symptoms while living or working in a sick building may have a cause of action against any number of responsible parties. The choosing of materials for a building is a well-known critical decision for preventing Sick Building Syndrome. The architects, designers, builders, developers, property managers, or property owners may all play a role in the resulting sick building. Claims against these parties may focus on poor building design, use of unsafe types or amounts of building materials, poor maintenance or no maintenance, or failure to meet building codes specified by the U.S. EPA, the California Department of Building Inspection, the California Department of Public Health, or local officials.

Ample Jury Trial Experience for Challenging Cases

A Sick Building Syndrome trial is likely to be a jury trial. Therefore, California residents seeking a qualified attorney should examine the attorney's trial credentials carefully. The aggressive and skilled Los Angeles real estate attorneys at Peterson Law Group have years of experience in trial practice, winning million-dollar verdicts in selected jury trials. Attorney John S. Peterson is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has represented a wide range of clients in California before a number of courts and public agencies.

At Peterson Law Group, we seek to offer personal attention and support to our clients who are experiencing the harrowing effects of chronic illness due to Sick Building Syndrome. We know the value of experienced and highly qualified appraisers, yet we respect the need to provide cost-effective litigation. We welcome the chance to discuss your situation and help you assess your claim.