In a gripping legal battle unfolding in Palm Beach, Florida, a local resident is taking on two property management companies over severe health issues allegedly caused by mold exposure. On February 11, 2025, Schella Polynice filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 157th Judicial Circuit against Sapphire Belle, LLC and Pennmark West Palm, LLC.

The lawsuit stems from Polynice’s residency at 39B Prewitt Village in Belle Glade, Florida, where she claims to have suffered significant health problems due to toxic mold infestation. According to the complaint, Polynice began experiencing symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and trouble breathing around January 21, 2024. Despite multiple visits to Lakeside Hospital for these ailments and notifying the defendants through maintenance requests and certified letters about the hazardous conditions since September 2024, no corrective action was taken by either company.

Polynice accuses both Sapphire Belle and Pennmark West Palm of negligence for failing to maintain her residence in a safe and habitable condition. The plaintiff argues that this negligence resulted in prolonged exposure to harmful mold spores, leading to bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, emotional distress, medical expenses, and loss of earnings. “These losses are continuing and permanent in nature,” the complaint states.