Black mould infestation leaves woman repeatedly hospitalised

A woman in Coventry has fears for her life after repeatedly being in and out of hospital due to the black mould in her flat.

Emma Brankins, 45, says her asthma was under control prior to moving to her new flat in Jardine Crescent, Tile Hill, in 2009. But since then, she has suffered repeated problems with her lungs, including pleurisy, pneumonia and interstitial lung disease.

Emma’s doctors state, “The mould in her flat is making her problems worse and are now demanding that she is moved to another home for the sake of her health”.

Emma says: “It’s affecting my life really badly. I’ve been in hospital that many times since 2019, I couldn’t give you a number, I’ve actually lost count. But now it’s putting me repeatedly in intensive care.

“This has been my life for the last year. It’s in my bedrooms, in my son’s old room, it’s along not the window frame but the panel in front of it, it’s all thick black”.

Emma states that the block she is living all experience mould and damp problem. She says her and other residents have reported the issue to the housing association and the landlord but “ ..they just fob everybody off and say it’s our responsibility to clear the mould up but I’m not being funny, it’s not”.

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties and the effects of asthma vary from person to person.

Signs and Symptoms

The common symptoms of asthma,  or worsening of asthma include, but are not limited to:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.

Causes of Asthma 

These can include:

• Genetics or family history – You are more likely to develop asthma if it runs in your close family.
• Allergies – People who have an itchy or runny nose due to an allergy, like pollen or eczema, or a family history of allergies, are more likely to develop asthma.
• Exposure to substances at work – Asthma can be caused in a workplace simply by breathing in certain dusts, gases, fumes and vapours that can damage your lungs.
• Smoking – Smoking also plays a part in the onset of asthma.

Triggers of Asthma

Triggers are things that can make asthma symptoms worse. Some of these triggers include (but are not limited to):

• Air pollution – Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
• Mould – Damp places can cause mould, which can cause problems if you have asthma.
• Tobacco smoke – If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma.
• Strong chemicals or smells – These things can trigger attacks in some people.
• Certain occupational exposures – You can be exposed to many things at your job, including cleaning products, dust from flour or wood, or other chemicals. These can all be triggers if you have asthma.

If you have been suffering with any of the symptoms listed above or have noticed a worsening of your medical condition, as a result of your working environment, then you might be able to claim compensation.

Resources and further reading

Respiratory disease claims – Oakwood Solicitors

‘My mouldy flat is making me so ill that I’m frightened it will kill me’ – CoventryLive

Asthma – NHS (www.nhs.uk)Asthma – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

Asthma: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment – clevelandclinic.org

What causes asthma? | Asthma UK

Occupational asthma and work aggravated asthma – Asthma UK

Asthma and health and safety at work (hse.gov.uk)

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you feel your injuries have been caused as a result of your working practices and wish to enquire about a potential claim, please contact us today.