Family who allegedly experienced respiratory problems due to mold sues landlord

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish woman whose apartment was allegedly unsafe to live in due to toxic mold is suing her landlord for health issues and other damages she claims her family experienced.

Freda Parham, individually and on behalf of her two children, filed suit against Carlyle Ltd., Carlyle Apartments, LMS Real Estate Management and their insurer in the 24th Judicial District Court on March. 13.

Parham claims she was living in an apartment unit at the Carlyle Apartments located at 500 Wall Blvd. in Gretna when she noticed mold and fungi growing on her ceiling that she suspected came from a leak in her upstairs neighbor’s bathroom. The plaintiff alleges that she notified her landlord of the problem who told her that she and her two children would be moved to a new unit, but the move never took place.

Parham asserts that she and her children began to experience respiratory issues due to the mold and they had to visit a hospital emergency room. The plaintiff claims she contracted a mold inspection company to run tests on the apartment and they found high concentrations of mold in the apartment and suggested that its occupants immediately move out and throw away most of their possessions.

The defendant is accused of permitting and allowing their premises to remain in a defective and unreasonably dangerous condition, negligently and carelessly maintaining the apartment unit, negligently and carelessly failing to keep the apartment in a reasonably safe condition, failing to exercise control to correct the unsafe condition, failing to correct the unsafe condition despite receiving notice that the apartment was unsafe due to black mold and fungi, failing to provide immediate attention to a growing safety risk, failing to accommodate tenant who was inconvenienced due to the condition of the air conditioning unit and failing to provide safety for the tenant.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical injuries, mental pain and anguish, inconveniences, medical expenses and property damage.

Parham is represented by attorney Rudy W. Gorrell of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division G Judge Robert A. Pitre Jr.

Case no. 724-753.