You may not know it, but your home could be dangerous to your health. Radon, a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas produced during the natural decay of uranium in rock and soil, may be present in your home in an amount that can potentially lead to lung cancer.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), approximately 21,000 deaths each year are attributable to radon-induced lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Pennsylvania, second only to smoking.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), estimates that 40% of Pennsylvania homes contain unsafe levels of radon gas, which can move up into homes via cracks, drains, or any openings in the foundation. For this reason, it pays to test your residence for the presence of radon. If you or a loved one has suffered injury because you bought a home which was found to have high levels of radon and this was not disclosed to you by the seller or the seller’s realtor, you may be entitled to compensation.
The skilled and experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney Clifford A. Rieders of Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters has spent decades honing his skills and successfully representing Pennsylvania families who have suffered loss due to someone else’s negligence or deception, such as covering up high levels of radon. We offer personal attention and loyalty to every client, aggressively fighting for their right to compensation.
If you have suffered any harm due to radon, your next step should be to consult Cliff Rieders at Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters by calling (570) 323-8711, or by using our online contact form. Based in Williamsport, we serve clients throughout the state of Pennsylvania, offering a free consultation on all personal injury matters.
Radon in Pennsylvania
The Environmental Protection Agency has established 4 picocuries per liter as the maximum amount of radon that should be present in a home. But Pennsylvania homes may have much higher levels. In fact, Pennsylvania’s DEP reports that a home in Lehigh County recently tested at a radon level of 3,715 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), over 900 times the maximum level. Other test results in the area have been well over 1000 pCi/L.
Radon Testing
Since you cannot see, taste or smell radon, testing is the only way of determining the radon levels in your home. Do-it-yourself radon test kits can be bought at home stores or from a certified radon mitigation service professional for $20-30. You should place your test kit in the basement, where levels are usually highest, or on the ground floor.
Radon Mitigation
Radon mitigation is the process to remove or reduce the radon gas concentration in occupied buildings and water supplies. Systems are comprised of suction pipes that enter the soil, a radon fan, and an exhaust pipe to vent the radon gas out into the atmosphere.
Radon tests should be repeated after mitigation, and the device should be monitored, and tests repeated, preferably during the heating season, every two years.
Legal Issues
- Landlord responsibility — Landlords are required to keep their buildings fit and safe for tenants. If you are a tenant with a high test result, you should notify your landlord of it in writing and request remediation. Ask for the copies of any follow-up test results.
- If the landlord does not fix the issue at hand, report this to the Pennsylvania DEP Protection radon division. Provide notice with proof of delivery (such as Certified Mail), so that you have proof should you have to move out for health reasons or have to take legal action against the landlord.
- Seller and Realtor Responsibility — Home sellers who are having their homes tested for radon should make sure this is done correctly, such as by closing doors and windows and not using attic fans. Sellers must disclose knowledge of prior tests and results, including tests by other potential buyers. Sellers and realtors who do not disclose high test results can be sued. Seller disclosure forms are supposed to provide information concerning radon testing. Make sure you check the form to assure that the testing has been done, and do not hesitate to ask for the actual results.
Achieving Results When it Counts
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE WAS HARMED by radon, YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER REGARDING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. You may be entitled to receive financial compensation to cover your medical and hospital expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, loss of life’s pleasures, pain and suffering, disfigurement and other compensation may be applicable as well, especially if a death is involved. However, your case must be handled correctly and competently, or you may never collect the compensation you are entitled to.
Clifford A. Rieders of Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters knows the courts and the system and what you need to do to increase your chances of winning a good settlement. Our seasoned Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys have helped many people file successful lawsuits. With decades of experience with injuries and an excellent reputation in the legal community, we are well positioned to handle even the most difficult cases.
The skilled and experienced Pennsylvania RV accident attorney Clifford A. Rieders of Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters has spent decades honing his skills and successfully representing Pennsylvania families who have suffered an injury or loss due to someone else’s negligence. We offer personal attention and loyalty to every client, aggressively fighting for their right to compensation. Whether in settlement negotiations or pursuing a favorable trial verdict, we are thoroughly prepared and committed to achieving a just outcome. With our sizeable staff, we offer strength in numbers while providing top-notch personal service.
Cliff Rieders is a Past President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Rieders has won numerous awards and recognition from the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and he received the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority recognition award. In fact, Cliff Rieders was a founder of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. Cliff has received the George F. Douglas Amicus Curiae Award, as well as the Milton D. Rosenberg Award from the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers. Rieders is on committees and organizations that write the law in many fields of practice, including the Mcare Act, which governs medical liability actions in Pennsylvania, and he wrote the book on Medical Malpractice that lawyers use in the state. Rieders is a Nationally Board Certified Trial Advocate, a cum laude graduate of New York University as well as Georgetown University Law Center. Rieders is admitted in Pennsylvania, New York State, District of Columbia and numerous federal courts including the Supreme Court of the United States. Rieders is a life member of the American Law Institute which publishes recommended legal principles utilized throughout the United States.
If you or your loved one has suffered harm from radon, your next step should be to consult Cliff Rieders at Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters by calling (570) 323-8711, or by using our online contact form. Based in Williamsport, we serve clients throughout the state of Pennsylvania, offering a free consultation on all personal injury matters. More than that, we offer you experience, knowledge, compassion, and a long history of results.
