CEO of healthcare company sues landlord over mold

GRETNA – A New Orleans man is suing his former landlord for health problems he has experienced that he claims are related to exposure to mold.

Mark Rabito filed suit against Cogdell Spencer Inc., EJ Medical Plaza and Lillibridge Healthcare Services Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 15. Rabito claims he rented a property for his business, Southern Brain and Spine LLC (SBS), located at 4228 Houma Blvd. in Metairie from 2006 to 2012. The plaintiff alleges that in January 2012 the property was sold to a new landlord and at that time an inspection found moisture, mold growth and leaks in the walls between a vinyl wall covering and the drywall in rooms occupied by SBS.

Rabito asserts that the inspection results were not provided to him or his business by his new landlord, Lillibridge Healthcare Services, in a timely manner and that when remediation began proper procedures were not taken by the contractor which then allowed mold spores to spread throughout his business.

The defendant is accused of commencing demolition and repair work and mold and moisture remediation without a proper protocol identification and repair plan, completing haphazard work not in compliance with industry standards, not containing the ceiling within the suite that contained mold spores, improperly installing dehumidifier units and proceeding with remediation work at a slow pace.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for bodily injury, mental anguish, costs and expenses incurred by the plaintiff due to problems with the renovations, property damage and impairment of future earning capacity.

Rabito is represented by Howard T. Boyd of New Orleans-based Sher, Garner, Cahill, Richter, Klein & Hilbert LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 723-902.