Home purchasers sue after allegedly finding toxic mold in home

GRETNA – A family that bought a home is suing the seller and a home inspector for allegedly not disclosing the property was affected by toxic mold.

Sandra DiCarlo Buras, Michael Richard Buras and Melissa Buras Dopp filed suit against Walter A. Dupeire III, House Call Home Inspection LLC, Edgardo Rowley and their insurer in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 26.

The plaintiffs claim they purchased a home for $117,500 located at 2501 Haring Road in Metairie from Dupeire. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs assert they contracted with Rowley and House Call Home Inspection to conduct a home inspection that did not mention any problems or defects with the home, specifically with toxic mold. In addition, Dupeire allegedly did not disclose that the home or any of its structures contained mold or mildew.

The plaintiffs contend that after they purchased the home they found that it had extensive toxic mold throughout and was uninhabitable. Following the revelation that mold had infiltrated the home, the plaintiffs claim that they attempted to fix mold in their ceiling and the contractor working on the home found extensive mold throughout the entire home that would require a mold remediation expert to fix. The contractor also indicated the house would have to be gutted entirely and all the flooring removed, including asbestos tiling, the suit claims.

Before the revelation of the extensive mold in the home, Melissa Buras Dopp had planned on staying in the home, but could not do so after she became severely ill due to the mold, the suit says.

The defendant is accused of redhibitory defects and violation of state law.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for a reduction in the sale price of the home, recovery of the diminished value of the home, costs to repair the property, remediation costs, injury to the plaintiffs, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and inconvenience.

The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Phyllis C. Coci and Duane D. Dunn.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Scott U. Schlegel.

Case no. 739-797.