WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla., Mar 16, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A Pasco
County couple filed suit today against Pulte Homes, alleging that sloppy
construction methods led to the growth of dangerous mold in the attic of
their new Lexington Oaks home.
The lawsuit accuses Pulte of negligence for leaving roof trusses
uncovered in standing water during construction. The trusses have
accumulated growths of a green mold called trichoderma, which can be
particularly hazardous for infants and young children, the lawsuit states.
Christopher Yankee and his wife Kristy McNaughton filed the suit in Pasco
County Circuit Court. In April 2003, they contracted to buy a house in
Lexington Oaks' Pocono Village, the lawsuit states. The couple and their
one- year-old daughter moved into the house in November 2003. Yankee
discovered the mold in late December 2003, when he entered his attic for the
first time to store holiday decorations.
Yankee complained to Pulte. The builder initially denied liability and
later proposed remediation that Yankee deemed inadequate, the lawsuit
states. McNaughton had been working as a salesperson for Pulte and had
already announced she was quitting to care for their daughter. After Yankee
raised questions about the mold, Pulte accelerated McNaughton's departure,
according to her attorneys.
"All we're asking is for Pulte to make things right," said the
couple's attorney, Mike Peacock of the Tampa-based law firm of James, Hoyer,
Newcomer & Smiljanich P.A. "Pulte needs to remove the threat posed
to this family's health and its investment. Pulte has been sued before on
this issue and should know better." The lawsuit does not set a figure
for damages.
James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich P.A. has offices in Tampa and
Tallahassee. Its nationwide practice focuses on consumer and investor fraud,
product liability and whistleblower cases. The firm's website is www.jameshoyer.com
SOURCE James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich P.A.
Larry Dougherty of James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich P.A.,
+1-813-286-4100 or ldougherty@jameshoyer.com
http://www.jameshoyer.com
