Mold Remediation Guidelines Released

New guidelines offered up by the DRC Trade Show Services for insurers, adjusters and contractors were recently released via a national road-show. DRC struck a committee of indoor environmental professionals, building science engineers and restoration contractors to address what was seen as a void in mold handling practices – the need for more standardized documentation, explains committee member Kyle Urech of Disaster Kleenup Canada. While there are a number of mold remediation protocols, none gave a standard for documentation.

The guidelines, which are available in CD and paper formats, cover the complete mold remediation process including investigation, evaluation, control, restoration and prevention. The key is to avoid the kind of litigation occurring in the U.S. as a result of mold claims. As well, Urech notes, it is much cheaper to deal with a water claim than deal with a mold claim later because the original remediation did not hold up.

Along with sample forms and letters, the toolkit includes information on identifying and understanding mold. The documentation is as important, if not more, in cases where a claim is being denied, as when it is completed, stresses committee member Peter Braund, a lawyer with Borden Ladner Gervais. “Ten to 20 years ago, you could get away with a two to three line denial letter. The better practice now is to explain the reasons…if you don’t handle a denial properly…an insurance company is potentially exposed to a finding of punitive damages in a bad faith claim.”