Termite Litigation: What Homeowners in Mississippi Need to Know
Termite infestations are a massive problem for Mississippi homeowners. Termites are destructive and determined—a terrible combination when your home is on the line. In some cases, termite damage isn’t just bad luck; it’s the result of negligence or malice. If your home suffered termite damage because of a seller’s failure to disclose, a pest company’s ineffective treatment, or a termite inspector’s ignorance, you may have legal options.
If you believe you’ve been victimized by termite fraud, it’s time to talk to the team at Reeves & Mestayer. Our team of Biloxi termite litigation attorneys is here to help. Call us at 1-855-558-2977 to get started.
The Risk of Termites in This Region
The bad news is that Mississippi is the ideal setting for termites. The most common species is the eastern subterranean termite, which has infested buildings and homes all across Mississippi. Termites thrive in warm, moist climates, making states like Mississippi the perfect place for infestations to happen. Homeowners are often taught early on about identifying the warning signs of termite infestation, which should help prevent the worst outcome. Unfortunately, identifying termites isn’t always enough. When you put your trust in unreliable or untrustworthy professionals, you could see your termite problem worsen beyond the point of no return.
Termite Fraud is a Growing Problem
With the massive termite problem in Mississippi, there is a huge market for effective and trustworthy termite professionals—those who can identify infestations, carry out effective treatments, and do follow-up checks to ensure that the problem is gone. However, this space in the market has left plenty of space for those who are out to make a quick buck by falsifying termite reports, recommending ineffective treatments, or otherwise misleading homeowners.
Termite fraudsters harm homeowners in multiple ways. First, they take their money for ineffective treatments and waste their time. Second, the time they waste on useless treatments gives the termites time to do even more damage, ultimately putting the homeowners in a position where they have to spend more time and money making their homes habitable.
Ineffective Treatments or Undisclosed Treatments
Termite exterminators offer a variety of treatments to homeowners. These treatments vary in effectiveness and expense. When you get a good exterminator, they explain their technique, why they recommend it, and any follow-up treatment you may need. Those who aren’t quite as reliable may use substandard chemicals or treatments that only reach surface-level termites, causing the remaining termites to burrow further and worsen the damage. Some terminators don’t even disclose their treatments, claiming that it’s proprietary information. This puts homeowners in a position where they have to blindly trust exterminators.
When these treatments fail, homeowners’ trust in exterminators as a whole is damaged. As a result, it is even harder for them to get back out there and find reliable help.
Falsified Infestations
In addition to using low-quality treatments, some termite companies go so far as to falsify evidence of termite infestations. They use that fake evidence to sell homeowners treatments they don’t even need. Homeowners in this position may be owed restitution for their wasted time and money.
Failure to Disclose Infestation During a Home Purchase
Another area where termite fraud is rampant is the world of real estate. Sellers and real estate agents have a legal obligation to disclose known defects to home buyers. However, it’s not uncommon for sellers to intentionally hide known defects in an effort to get more out of their home sale or lure buyers in. When buyers inevitably discover the aftereffects of a termite infestation, they are left dealing with it. However, there are ways to uncover proof that the seller or realtor knew of the infestation and intentionally hid it. For example, a home may have signs of previous termite treatments, which would indicate that the seller knew of the problem and attempted to fix it.
Was Your Home Damaged by Termites? Find Out If You’re Entitled to Compensation
If you’ve been a victim of termite fraud, you may have legal options. Our team can help you fight for justice and demand the compensation you deserve. Get started now by setting up a consultation—just call us at 1-855-558-2977 or reach out online now.
