Christopher L. Beard, Attorney
Maryland Toxic Mold Injury Lawyer, Annapolis
Representing Maryland tenants and their families injured by mold in their homes, along with other serious injury claims.
Annapolis attorney Chris Beard has practiced law since 1976, and most of his practice today involves toxic mold and habitability injury claims. Martindale-Hubbell has given him its AV rating, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethics. He is also a past Maryland "Super Lawyer."
"For decades, I have litigated civil cases in the District and Circuit Courts of Maryland. Today most of my practice involves tenants and families injured by mold in their homes." Chris Beard
Most of Chris Beard's practice today involves toxic mold. He represents Maryland tenants and their families who fall ill when landlords allow leaks, dampness, and mold to go unrepaired. These cases demand careful proof, and Chris brings the knowledge and the courtroom experience they require.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports that people in damp, moldy buildings face an increased chance of respiratory problems, including shortness of breath and worsening asthma. NIEHS identifies allergic reactions as the most common health effect. Those reactions include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, sore throat, congestion, skin rash, and headaches.
NIEHS also cites research linking extended mold exposure to memory loss, dizziness, blurred vision, and other cognitive problems, along with depression, anxiety, and stress. The agency notes that mold exposure can increase the risk of developing asthma, especially for young children. It also observes that mold remediation can be particularly difficult for families who rent their homes.
Maryland law requires landlords to keep rental housing fit to live in, and local housing codes require them to repair leaks and correct dampness. NIEHS points out that the best way to control mold indoors is to control moisture. A landlord who learns of a leak or water intrusion and fails to fix it properly may owe damages to the tenants who fall ill as a result.
Protect your health first, and see a doctor about your symptoms. Report the problem to your landlord in writing, keep a copy, and photograph the mold, the water damage, and any ruined belongings. Do not sign a release or a lease termination agreement that gives up your injury claim before you speak with a lawyer, because Maryland law sets deadlines for filing suit.
A mold claim rests on proof of three things: the mold itself, the landlord's knowledge of the problem, and the link between the exposure and the illness. Mold can be painted over, torn out, or cleaned away, so tenants should act early to capture and preserve that proof. Chris explains to his clients what to look for when they hire an industrial hygienist to test the home and a physician to evaluate their health.
Chris represents each client personally, from the first conversation through settlement or trial. He wrote "The Mold Matrix: How Courts Untangle Health Claims, Housing Codes, and Landlord Defenses," published in the Maryland Bar Journal in 2025, and other lawyers regularly refer their mold clients to him and bring him in as co-counsel. Read more about mold injury claims, or e-mail chris@attorneybeard.com to arrange a free consultation.
Chris also handles other injury matters, including premises liability and auto accidents, wrongful death, workers' compensation, and electrocution. In each of these, preserving evidence and keeping your records from the start makes a real difference. A short conversation will tell you whether your matter is one he can take.
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Call (443) 995-0342 to have your questions answered for free. There are no obligations if you choose to use another lawyer.
You can also reach out by e-mail to chris@attorneybeard.com.
Review By Kate C.
Strongly Recommend Him
Chris Beard is a lawyer you can trust. Any doubts? Call him up and talk to him. He will get right to the point. He keeps a low overhead so you are not paying exorbitant prices. He has had so many experiences that he can connect the dots very quickly–he’s seen it all. (Your situation will not throw him off in the least.) Call him up just to talk. You’ll see what I mean more quickly than any review could convince you.
Rating: ★★★★★ 5 / 5 stars
