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Attorney Awards
About Attorney Awards
Mold and Water Damage
Media scrutiny of mold, water damage and indoor air quality issues has generated increased claims for personal injuries and property damage against developers, contractors, commercial and residential landlords, and others with real property interests.
WSHB combines years of practical litigation and trial experience to evaluate causes and origins of mold, water damage and indoor air quality problems. By properly assessing evidence of exposure, medical causation, and related damages—before litigation, during discovery and through trial—we help clients effectively respond to these claims.
Attorneys in this practice group are National Monitoring Counsel for multiple clients, authored the primary guidebook for handling mold claims published by Continuing Education of the Bar, and consult on mold and water damage cases across the country. Moreover, in conjunction with our Toxic Tort and Professional Liability practice groups, WSHB maintains an extensive database of technical articles, peer-reviewed studies and background materials on expert witnesses and consultants in this complex area of law.
WSHB lawyers handle a wide range of mold and water damage matters, including:
Tried to verdict more cases than any other firm in the nation involving claims of alleged injury from mold. In these cases with millions of dollars at stake, no client has paid a dime for bodily injury claims
Investigation and defense of claims involving hospitals and medical facilities, public entities, courthouses, high-rise condominium buildings, apartment buildings, government facilities, hotels and large single family residential developments
Supervision and review of abatement and remediation projects
Development of water damage and indoor air quality protocols for developers and landlords
Related residential and commercial matters: fiberglass, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, damp-building syndrome, Chinese drywall, chemical applications and Legionnaire’s Disease, in both residential and commercial settings
Representative Matters for Mold and Water Damage
Defended a retirement and assisted care living facility sued by a plaintiff for injuries allegedly resulting from poor indoor air quality. Aggressive litigation focusing on the lack of scientifically valid evidence supporting these claims led to the dismissal of plaintiff’s entire lawsuit. The case was heavily reported as being the first trial court decision in California where experts in a mold case were prevented from testifying at trial.
Defense verdict in case involving claims of bodily injury from mold exposure resulting in alleged permanent injuries to family of three. Demand was $20m prior to trial.
Multiple personal injury claims started by the claims of a sitting Superior Court judge who claimed that she suffered personal injuries due to her exposure to mold, fiberglass and asbestos at a county courthouse. As a result of aggressive litigation efforts, the claims were ultimately resolved two years later for nuisance value, settling for less than $100,000.
Retained by an owner of extensive real estate holdings to defend five separate claims that plaintiffs had become ill due to Legionnaire’s Disease. All cases were dismissed for a waiver of costs after we demonstrated that the plaintiffs had no scientifically valid evidence.
Defended the owner and operator of multiple hospital facilities facing mold personal injury claims. The claims of all plaintiffs were eventually eliminated of by way of a no evidence motion for summary judgment.
Commercial and Business Litigation, Transportation, Product Liability, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Medical Malpractice and Healthcare Law, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices, Complex Tort and Casualty
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Insurance, Commercial and Business Litigation, Transportation, Construction, Professional Liability, Employment, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Complex Tort and Casualty, Arbitration
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Commercial and Business Litigation, Construction, Complex Tort and Casualty, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Dram Shop Litigation, Transportation
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Product Liability, Transportation, Professional Liability, Commercial and Business Litigation, Corporate, Real Estate and Land Use, Hospitality, Complex Tort and Casualty, Automobile Accidents, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Insurance
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5.0/5.0
Review for
Janice Michaels
by a Managing Partner
on 08/02/14
in Construction Law
Janice is a tribute to the legal profession. She invariably exhibits professionalism and decorum. She is always well prepared and has a compelling presence in the courtroom and elsewhere.
Janice is a tribute to the legal profession. She invariably exhibits professionalism and decorum. She is always well prepared and has a compelling presence in the courtroom and elsewhere.
Read less
5.0/5.0
Review for
Melanie L. Thomas
by a Attorney
on 06/04/20
in Medical Malpractice
Ms. Thomas is a brilliant attorney. she understands rules, and the law perfectly, and her application is daunting to opposing counsel. I am proud that she is a member of our bar.
Ms. Thomas is a brilliant attorney. she understands rules, and the law perfectly, and her application is daunting to opposing counsel. I am proud that she is a member of our bar.
Read less
Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity
and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.
At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.
At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.
At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.
A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP got this award in 2026
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A,
publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.
Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.
