Mold Problems Plague Town Center Condo
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The story appearing in the August 14-20 issue of Folio Weekly puts into perspective having a bad day.
Karen Donges, a 35-year old communications instructor at UNF, moved into the Esplanade at Town Center earlier this year. While the renter liked the grainite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, she didnt like the black mold spores climbing up her bedroom wall.
She began feeling flu-like symptoms. The doctor told her she had a sinus infection, then mono. She never felt right. Finally in February she drove herself to St. Luke's Hospital experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath.
The very next day she discovered mold spores on her clothing, shoes and bags in her closet.
Wood Partners, developer of the condo, moved Donges to a nearby motel. Meanwhile the owner of the unit told Donges she could break her lease only if she forfeited her security deposit of $1,450.
To make matters worse, as if that was needed here, when Donges went back to her condo to pick up clothes for work, she discovered all of her belongings were gone. It appears JSO discovered that Wood Partners had divided up her things to be cleaned by two different companies.
Donges has found some of her things, which she says are damaged. She calculates she is owed $6,490. Wood Partners reportedly offered her $4,000.
Donges says she has heard from other residents who have also experienced unexplained bronchitis and asthma as well as behavior disorders.
Mold can cause a host of problems and actually is nothing to take lightly. Many people have been adversely affected and find out after symptoms. Then the damage to one's health may become long-term. Donges' health problems have persisted even though she moved out. She says she now visits a pulmonary specialist and was recently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Esplanade knew there was a mold problem but did nothing to inform residents, says one resident to Folio. Some units are still going through mold treatment Folio has found.
For more information on this subject matter, please review our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.