A scheduled hearing last week for a case regarding Child Support
Services employees suing owners of a building allegedly infested
with mold has been delayed 60 days because an involved party was
not located and the county had yet to file a cross-complaint
against the defendants.
A scheduled hearing last week for a case regarding Child Support Services employees suing owners of a building allegedly infested with mold has been delayed 60 days because an involved party was not located and the county had yet to file a cross-complaint against the defendants.
“Some of the construction companies weren’t able to be located,” said Chris Karic, attorney for the Lawrence Family LLC, which owns the building at 220 San Felipe Rd. He said investigators had been assigned to a search for the missing parties.
After 24 of 25 employees in the San Benito County department filed suits against the building owners in December, the Lawrence Family LLC filed three separate cross-complaints – two against construction companies and another against the county.
Karic said the defendants may file another cross-complaint against a painting company before the next hearing.
In addition to the missing parties at Thursday’s hearing, the county also failed to file a timely response and requested an extension. The county will make an appearance at the next hearing in August, according to Charles Kelly, the attorney for the 24 plaintiffs.
According to the defendants’ cross-complaints, the building owners apportioned blame for the alleged mold problem. County workers have said the mold caused numerous health ailments during a two-year period. The plaintiffs alleged water leaks caused the growth of the toxic mold stachybotrys.
There were several cases of reported asthma the workers blamed on the mold, along with instances of chronic flu, sinus infections, respiratory illnesses, chronic fatigue and gastro-intestinal issues.
The employees moved out of the building in early March. In April, Superior Court Judge Harry Tobias consolidated the 24 separate cases into one suit.
