Former School Nurse Claims Toxic Mold Caused Illness

By Sophia Brink

Published on January 15, 2008

Valerie Boodaghians worked as a nurse at Ocean Township Intermediate School in New Jersey. She alleges that upon opening the nurse's office at the school in August 2004, she noticed a fine dust. She claims that as she attempted to clean the debris, she became so sick that she had to go to the emergency room.

According to the lawsuit, Boodaghians was diagnosed with fungal laryngitis at Philadelphia Ear Nose and Throat Association in April 2005. She further claims the condition caused her to develop a partial paralysis of her vocal chords.

The school district denied her workers' compensation claim, arguing that Boodaghians had suffered a chronic illness prior to her hospitalization.

The suit claims that one year prior to Boodaghian's hospitalization, the school district closed the intermediate school in order to remedy a mold problem. The district admits to having hired a contractor during the 2003-2004 school year to remove mold. The district further claims that prior to the start of the same school year, air quality tests found nothing of concern.

Boodaghians, who now works as a nurse at Ocean Township Wanamassa Elementary School, maintains that others at the intermediate school are sick.

The school has a student body of 1,400, grades five through eight.

Boodaghian's lawsuit is still in the discovery stage, which is expected to last until summer.

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