Posted by Sharon on 5/04/10

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Philadelphia Housing Authority Settles Mold Lawsuit for
$9.5M – Moldy Conditions Led To Brain Damage For 12 Year
Old Girl
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5-4-10

“Just before opening statements in court today, PHA agreed
to pay more than $9.5 million to her family. As Joyce
reported, the PHA admits no wrongdoing in this case. They,
for the most part, blame the Section 8 property owner and
management company.”

“The property landlord and management company agreed to pay
at least $2 million for their part.”

After years of legal wrangling, the Philadelphia Housing
Authority settled Monday morning with a former Section 8
tenant whose daughter was left with brain damage – the
result of living with mold.

Fox 29’s Joyce Evans brings you the story of Ebony Gage.
She was a typical 12-year old. She developed asthma. Her
attacks worsened. She now has profound brain damage. She
cannot walk or talk and needs 24-hour care. Her family
claims that the PHA ignored years of pleading to fix the
hazardous, moldy conditions in their house. Her mother
thinks it all could have been avoided.

Just before opening statements in court today, PHA agreed
to pay more than $9.5 million to her family. As Joyce
reported, the PHA admits no wrongdoing in this case. They,
for the most part, blame the Section 8 property owner and
management company.

PHA’s statement reads in part, “Our hearts go out to the
victim…We hope that the settlements will serve as strong
reminders to all landlords on the program that they must
responsibly care for units they own and manage.”

Ebony’s attorney, Michael Trunk added that after continuing
top fail inspections for year and not repairing the damage
the final insult was PHA forcing the family to give 30 days
notice before they could move.

It was during those 30 days that Ebony had that terrible
asthma attack.

The property landlord and management company agreed to pay
at least $2 million for their part.

The settlement will help Ebony’ mother pay for the mounting
medical bills that are already in the millions, but she
says that Ebony will never be the same girl.

myfoxphilly

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