Jury Rejects Tenant's Injury Claims in Rhode Island Mold Trial

NEWPORT, R.I. - A Newport (R.I.) Superior Court jury ended an eight-day trial on June 21 by finding that a plaintiff failed to prove that mold in her leased residence posed an unreasonably dangerous condition. Barrows v. Connolly, et al., No. NC/03-0040 (R.I. Super. Ct., Newport).

Martha Lynne Barrows sued her landlord, Ann Connolly, for negligent failure to inspect, warn and remediate, and for constructive eviction. She sought unspecified damages for alleged memory impairment and $100,000 for damage to personal property.

Connolly contended that the mold was not present at the inception of Barrows' lease and could not have been …