#United States #Columbus #Ohio State #mold infestation #Lawrence Tower

Ohio State University Faces Lawsuit Over Mold Infestation

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a troubling development for Ohio State University (OSU), a new lawsuit has been filed alleging that a mold infestation at the Lawrence Tower dormitory has caused serious health issues among students. The complaint was lodged in a state court involving over 50 first-year students who resided in the "Rate 1" dormitory starting in August 2024. The students, along with their families, have accused the university of negligence regarding severe mold problems that they claim were known to the institution yet undisclosed to residents.

Rising Health Concerns

The excitement that typically accompanies the start of college life took a grim turn for these students as they began to experience persistent coughs, brain fog, and other respiratory issues. The lawsuit details that these symptoms escalated as mold growth became unavoidably visible, with reports of mushrooms sprouting from walls. A significant concern was raised when students noted the separation of wallpaper, revealing a predominant presence of various molds, including black, yellow, and even purple varieties. Independent testing conducted by the students' families validated their fears, confirming the presence of a toxic mold environment as early as November 2024.

Allegations Against Ohio State University

The suit accuses OSU of several offenses, including negligence, implied warranty of habitability, nuisance, and fraud. The legal representatives of the affected students argue that under Ohio law, students expect a safe living environment in dormitories. “The university's failure to address a known health hazard is unacceptable,” stated Jedidiah I. Bressman from Bressman Law, who represents the plaintiffs.

According to the lawsuit, university officials allegedly failed to inform the students and their families about the hazardous living conditions and instead dismissed their symptoms as unfounded. They were told that the mold levels were not severe enough to cause health problems, despite clear evidence of dangerous forms of mold, such as Stachybotrys (commonly referred to as “black mold”).

Ignored Warnings and Poor Remediation Efforts

The origin of the mold issue was initially attributed to a plumbing leak, with the university claiming that only 40 rooms were affected. Nevertheless, the lawsuit highlights that the university was aware of broader mold and asbestos problems when they acquired the dormitory, which had previously been a hotel. It is claimed that renovations completed in a mere two months overlooked necessary remediation efforts for the property’s known mold issues.

The legal documentation outlines the emotional and physical toll this incident has taken on the students. "Entering the dormitory, neither the students nor their families understood they were exposing themselves to a toxic environment," expressed Kristina S. Baehr from Just Well Law, PLLC, emphasizing the need for accountability from the university.

As this case unfolds in the Court of Claims in Columbus, Ohio, it sheds light on the pressing issue of student safety on college campuses, and raises questions regarding the university’s response to health hazards within its facilities. Families of affected students remain hopeful that justice will be served, and the full extent of Ohio State's knowledge concerning the mold problems will be disclosed through the legal proceedings.