The Karagiannis family – Panagiota, Athanasios, and their daughters Athena, 6, and Iris, 3 – have endured a year of upheaval after their Roselands home was infested with mould following a 2022 flood.
The toxic spores caused serious health issues, including asthma and seizures for Athena, while Athanasios, a kidney transplant patient, is now on dialysis.
The family’s battle with Hollard Insurance has stretched over three years, with Mrs Karagiannis describing it as “a David versus Goliath battle with one person against a corporation.”
Initially denied alternative accommodation, the family was eventually moved repeatedly through Airbnbs and rentals, totalling 13 moves in a single year, often on short notice, leaving them with no furniture and constant instability.
Experts confirmed the mould had penetrated the home’s frames, making the property uninhabitable and requiring demolition.
Despite remediation attempts funded by the insurer, the Karagiannis’ home remains fenced off, and their belongings had to be destroyed.
Negotiations are ongoing to rebuild the property under the insurance policy cap, though no timeline has been established.
“We just cannot keep going like this… there’s still no clear timelines on when we can start building and just get back on track,” Mrs Karagiannis said.
Hollard Insurance acknowledged the case is “highly complex” but said it remains committed to supporting the family toward a resolution.
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
