Los Angeles Mold Exposure Lawyer

Tenant-Only Representation. Over $196 Million Recovered.

Mold in a rental unit isn’t a housekeeping problem. It’s a landlord liability question, and one that requires scientific evidence to answer correctly. At Riley | Ersoff | Rodas LLP, we represent tenants exclusively against negligent property owners, and we bring industrial hygienists and environmental scientists into each mold case to establish where the contamination actually came from. We never represent landlords or property management companies.

Our firm has recovered more than $196 million in verdicts and settlements for tenants harmed by dangerous housing conditions across California.

What California Law Requires of Landlords

California imposes clear duties on landlords when it comes to mold. Under California Civil Code, a landlord must maintain rental units free of conditions that endanger tenant health or safety. California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 identifies visible mold growth as a condition that can render housing substandard and subject to code enforcement action.

Courts also recognize an implied warranty of habitability in every California residential lease, meaning a landlord who fails to address known mold isn’t just negligent. They’re in breach of contract. The Toxic Mold Protection Act of 2001 adds a disclosure obligation: a landlord who knows or has reasonable cause to believe mold is present must disclose that fact in writing. As of January 1, 2022, landlords must also provide prospective tenants with a state-produced booklet on dampness and mold in rental housing.

The Los Angeles Housing Department’s Systematic Code Enforcement Program conducts inspections of multi-family buildings throughout the city. A formal Notice to Comply from that process creates a documented record that violations exist, which can become significant evidence in a civil case.

How We Build a Mold Exposure Case

Landlords routinely blame tenants for mold, pointing to shower steam, closed windows, or cooking habits. We counter that defense with science. Our team works with industrial hygienists and environmental scientists who test affected units, identify the species involved, and trace contamination to its source, whether that’s a chronic plumbing leak, sewage infiltration, or storm-related roof failure. When the contamination originates from a structural problem the landlord ignored, the testing can show it.

We’ve handled cases involving years of unchecked plumbing and sewage leaks that produced toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) inside walls and beneath flooring. Our in-house field investigator moves quickly to document conditions before repairs or remediation alter the evidence. Grant Riley and Victoria Ersoff are directly involved in every case we take on, and we prepare each one as though it will go to trial. That preparation can create leverage in negotiations with landlords and their insurers.

Fees, Results, & Bilingual Support

We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe no legal fees unless we achieve a successful recovery. Your initial consultation is free. Compensation in a mold exposure claim can include medical costs, relocation expenses, and property damage, depending on the specific facts of your situation.

Our team provides full legal support in both English and Spanish, so language is never a barrier to getting help. With more than $196 million recovered for tenants, our record reflects what happens when preparation, scientific rigor, and an unwavering commitment to tenant rights work together.