BEAUFORT, S.C. — Parents of children in the Beaufort County (S.C.) School District filed a class complaint for damages and medical monitoring last month, alleging the children were exposed to 'toxic mold and fungus' in elementary and middle schools in Hilton Head, S.C. Frankett v. Beaufort County School District, No. 05-CP-07-1401 (S.C. Comm. Pls., Beaufort Cty.).

Cindy Conklin Frankett and Carl Frankett filed a 19-page complaint on July 25 on behalf of their son, Ryan, and other unnamed students in the Beaufort County School District. Plaintiffs are expected to amend their complaint to add other named plaintiffs.

The Franketts charge that Ryan suffers 'severe, debilitating, and permanent' respiratory injuries, including the presence of mold and fungus in his nasal cavities, from exposure at Hilton Head Elementary School and Hilton Head Middle School. The Franketts say they notified the school district of Ryan's injuries but the district has failed to remedy problems in the school buildings. Ryan has since enrolled in a private school.

Causes of action include negligence on the part of the school district and unnamed agents, employees and subcontractors; breach of warranty by unnamed construction firms; breach of contract; and medical monitoring for defendants' alleged negligence, gross negligence and wrongful conduct.

The family is asking for damages for medical expenses, the cost of tuition for Ryan and their other children, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and special damages.

Keith McCarty and Ian W. Freeman of Pratt-Thomas, Epting & Walker in Charleston, S.C., represent the Franketts.
 
Related Document: Complaint - MOL-0508-08 (PDF format)
 

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