Court Affirms Verdict for Remediators on Homeowner's Negligence Claims

SAN FRANCISCO - A California appellate court has affirmed a verdict for mold remediators who contended that it was the homeowner's failure to make needed repairs from prior spills, rather than their response, that caused extensive mold contamination in the home. Al-Hakim v. Rescue Industries, Inc., No. A101832 (Calif. 1st App. Dist.).

California's 1st District Court of Appeal also ruled in an unpublished opinion on Oct. 29 that the trial court did not err in admitting evidence that homeowner Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim had insurance, nor in allowing the insurer to intervene to seek indemnification for $135,817.34 it paid al-Hakim.

At issue …