Medical damages from water intrusion

We moved into a rent controlled apartment in the most awesome location a month ago, and have no intention of moving.

That being said, we cannot be in a mold damaged dwelling, period. It is a medical necessity.

So, when we noticed the brand new carpet in the bedroom smelled like mold, we ripped it up to investigate and discovered years of water intrusion on the floor boards, but no obvious water source. We removed the damages, paid for new carpeting, and kept our eyes out. Low and behold, LA just had an amazing downpour for days.

So, after noticing the outward facing wall was damp, I looked outside and noticed the culprit. Previously, a DirectTV installed did what they apparently always do -- they punched a hole through the exterior wall leaving a 1" gap, and of course, wires dangling haphazardly down to the ground far below held together in a rat's nest of non-compliant wiring mess.

The 1" gap has been allowing water to freely flow into the exterior wall, spill down to the floor, and grow significant amounts of Stachybotrys (black) mold. When I moved the wire from side to side, the exposure I got was so debilitating I became dizzy, sick, and experienced significant allergic reactions which are consistent with the reactions I experienced prior to removing the carpet a month ago.

In addition to water intrusion, punching a large hole in an exterior wall with no flashing other than a dab of putty also creates an air flow dynamic which causes the interstitial spaces to be exposed to moisture, and freely distributes mold that has accumulated in the wall into the living spaces.

Now, I want to know how DirectTV has the ability to violate building codes, create significant health damages, and make a place untenable with no financial repercussions or responsibility.

As I obviously have more knowledge as a layman than most would on this issue, I wonder how many dwellings across America have been violated by these sloppy lying installation thugs who work for or contract for DirectTV. And, I seriously wonder how many thousands of families are being made ill directly because of a DirectTV installation.

In the mean time, trying to explain this simple building science to my landlord or management company will get be on a black list or evicted. I've seen it before endless times.

I strongly encourage a class action lawsuit with a medical damage component. What attorney has the knowledge to handle this? I know a few. Perhaps I will contact them.

I won't even mention my former experience with DirectTV back when I actually considered having their service. It was a nightmare of incompetence that resulted in the highest level of attention. Now, I see this incompetence is evenly spread throughout their lame corporation -- and they need to be milked for damages and justice.

We have been customers since the days of Prime Star (now Direct TV) and had no problems with this company. We upgraded this year (2010) because we wanted to get our local stations. Upon our request to Direct TV through their telephone service we were told that our system was to old to provide the local channels in our area so we would have to upgrade. The customer service representative stated we could have a new dish and components upgrade for free and even get a HD receiver for the upgrade. I also stated I would like to have HD DVR and a standard receiver for the the kid's bedroom. He said that I would be able to keep the receivers that I had originally purchase (not leased) from Radio Shack. We were waiting on the HD receiver that was promise in our upgrade only to find out later it was not part of the deal. When they installed the HD DVR they took of with our original receiver stating that it was an exchange. From there the junk kept coming. Be aware of all the charges before doing business with this company. You will not find a sympathizing individual who can do anything for you. We do not want our credit damaged so we will suffer for two years and then switch. We are a people of our word and will cancel. I just don't know what else we can do to get this taken care of. My recommendation is not to use this company. The billing came and besides the $311.00 that they charged us for the standard and HD Dvr receivers the bill added up to $ 133.00. A far cry from the $ 59.00 we originally had monthly.

I was a customer with them for about seven years. we started having finacial problems got behind on our bill wasn"t able to pay the bill right away. so they sent it to a collection agency I was going to call them and set up payment arrangements. Then my husband got looking at his bank acct. they had took out over three hundred dollars in his acct. I called them up and ask them why they took it out without letting us know and the one I was talking to said they were aloud to because when you sign up for satellite it says specifacally on the contract if we owe any back bill they are aloud to take it out. I told her I had received a letter on the remaining balance that we owed from a collection agency and was going to set up some payment arrangements. she said they didn't send it to the collection agency. I told her I had the letter right there in my hands. She kept saying it wasnt sent to a collection agency but it was cause I had the letter. They could of had the courtesy to send us a letter letting us know they were going to take it out of his bank acct.

Yes an account was opened in my daughters name but my ss# was used... then you took money from my account. i would like the draft cancelled and money returned to my bank account or other actions will be taken... you used my ss# without my autherazation...

Half the time I try to change the channel on the DVR it doesn't change. I try and fast forward through commercials on the DVR and it just keeps going and going. I have had it replaced every 3 to 6 months for the last 3 years and always the same story. All the other receivers work just fine, only the DVR seems to do this.