Septic Failure In Apartment Building Leads To Toxic Mold Conditions

This case involves a family who refused to pay rent because of lack of maintenance and upkeep on part of the management company.

ByWendy Ketner, M.D.

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Updated onFebruary 1, 2022

Septic Failure In Apartment Building Leads To Toxic Mold Conditions

There were several separate occasions in which septic failure occurred allowing waste to overflow and cause mold. The family had since developed a host of medical conditions including asthma and C. difficile. An expert in environmental medicine familiar with household pathogens was sought to opine on whether or not there was a causal link between household mold and the specific diseases the plaintiff’s developed while exposed to the toxic conditions.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

Please describe your background in environmental medicine.

What type of medical issues can arise from exposure to mold?

Expert Witness Response E-022427

inline imageI am quadruple board certified in medical toxicology, occupational medicine, preventive medicine and family medicine. I am an assistant clinical professor of occupational and environmental medicine and the medical director of health services at a laboratory. I am also an assistant medical director for the state poison control system. The 2004 Institute of Medicine Damp Indoor Spaces and Health Consensus Study Report noted there was sufficient evidence to support the association between the presence of mold (type not specified) and specific upper and lower airway illnesses, specifically cough, wheeze, and asthma exacerbation in patients with a history of asthma. There is limited or insufficient evidence to make associations for other health conditions. Several organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the American College of Medical Toxicology have supported these findings. I have lectured several times on damp indoor airspaces and have been an expert in several environmental exposure cases, including cases concerning poor indoor air quality.

About the author

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.

Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.

Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.

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