Toxic mold is slowly making its way across the Nation, destroying homes and causing serious health problems. Thousands of people are suing builders, landlords and insurers for health and property damage resulting from toxic mold. In the midst of a flurry of lawsuits, insurers and builders are researching ways to lessen their liability as lawyers argue over the validity of claims. Mold grows all around us, and certain strains can trigger allergies and other health problems. A recent Mayo Clinic study linked some forms of mold to chronic sinus infections and brain damage. Some strains even produce toxins associated with cancer. The legal difficulty lies in establishing the link between exposure to mold and an individual's health problems.

Nevertheless, some large damage awards have resulted from toxic mold lawsuits. For instance, an insurance company paid a Texas family $32 million for mold damage to their 22-room mansion. In New York City, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has paid nearly $5 million to clean up toxic mold growing throughout the City's low-income housing projects. In Delaware, a woman was awarded $1 million after leaking water in her apartment allowed mold to grown, causing cognitive difficulties and aggravating her asthma.