I am both a mediator and an attorney

For Linde Mayer, the beauty of liability law lies in its human side. She finds meaning in her work: she assists victims who have suffered injuries and advocates for large groups of affected individuals, sometimes for years on end. In this interview, she discusses her transition from commercial law, the day-to-day practice of personal injury and mass torts, and the future of the Act on the Settlement of Mass Torts in Class Actions (WAMCA). After earning a master’s degree in private law, she entered commercial law at Beer advocaten Linde Mayer, where she completed her professional training to become an attorney. But something soon began to gnaw at her: ‘I realized that those types of cases left me cold; it was all about money, and it was just a matter of a million more or less.’ She reflected on what she was truly passionate about, and at this crossroads, her thoughts returned to a pivotal evening during her college days. A former Beer colleague was invited to a speaker’s event and made an indelible impression on Mayer. ‘He spoke about the families of victims he represented in plane crashes, such as the Turkish Airlines crash. I just thought, ’Wow, this is such special work, where you can really make a difference for victims and their families.‘’ After several exploratory conversations, Mayer made the switch to Beer shortly after completing her legal internship. What appeals to her about personal injury law is that it’s always about people: ‘Liability law is a very human form of law.’ Mayer also talks about the approach to work, which is completely different from what she was used to in commercial law. ‘At Beer advocaten, I was quickly given my own ’little shop‘ with cases of my own for which I am fully responsible. I found this particularly striking, because I was used to drafting briefs or doing the research.’ She emphasizes that in traditional personal injury cases, you represent a single individual ‘and as a lawyer, you do that yourself.’ Two Sides of the Coin Mayer speaks enthusiastically about the longer, one-on-one processes she undertakes with clients: ‘Personal injury cases often take a long time, which is why you also become a confidant for that person.’ Recently, a birth announcement for a client’s baby boy arrived on her doormat. ‘That’s why I do this—after a long process that’s now in the settlement phase, to see that my client has been able to get his life back on track and has become a father,’ says Linde Mayer. That said, being a confidant for clients also has another side to it. Mayer emphasizes that “you’re dealing with people who are really struggling.” For her, the work is characterized by providing legal assistance to victims while setting limits on other forms of support. “That can be pretty tough at times, because you’re dealing with a lot of misery.” The work is well-suited for empathetic attorneys who set clear boundaries; it is not for the faint of heart. Individual cases and class-action lawsuits About half of Mayer’s work consists of

Mold in homes is a major problem. Recent figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) show that in 2024, one in five households experienced moisture or mold in their homes. Earlier, our colleague Mildred Brun wrote about Awaab Ishak, who was exposed to mold for years. His situation painfully illustrates that mold poses serious health risks, especially for children. This raises the question of what responsibility landlords bear for their tenants“ living environment. In this blog, we’ll examine how mold gets into your home and the potential health risks it poses. We’ll then describe the legal steps you can take to resolve the problem.  How does mold develop in a home? Mold grows in damp places because water is necessary for its metabolism, enzyme activity, and structural integrity. Mold growth is therefore linked to the availability of moisture, expressed as relative humidity (RH) and the local moisture conditions of the surface. In general, a relative humidity of more than 70% is a prerequisite for mold growth. Mold can grow in homes on materials that both retain moisture and contain organic matter. Think of places where excessive moisture is present for extended periods, for example due to condensation, leaks, or insufficient ventilation. Porous, organic building materials such as wood, plaster, paper, cardboard, and textiles pose the greatest risk, but due to contamination with dust, grease, and skin cells, growth is also possible on materials such as concrete, stone, stucco, paint, plastic, and sealant.   Mold does not so much grow on the material itself, but rather because of the material in combination with moisture and contaminants. Any surface that remains damp for an extended period and provides a food source can develop mold growth in the home. How are you exposed to mold?   Mold byproducts, such as spores, fragments of hyphae, and volatile compounds released by the mold, end up in the air. This is caused by air currents, temperature differences, or movement—for example, during cleaning. People come into contact with mold through these airborne particles.   Why is mold so dangerous? Because people inhale airborne particles, mold poses a particular risk to the respiratory tract and lungs. Depending on its size, mold can penetrate as far as the small airways and alveoli. This results in direct irritation of the mucous membrane, accompanied by swelling, increased mucus production, and shortness of breath due to narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction). Certain toxic substances produced by mold can even directly damage the mucous membranes. Most health problems arise because the immune system reacts to these substances. Common consequences include the development or worsening of allergic asthma, chronic respiratory conditions (bronchitis or COPD), and allergic rhinitis (”mold-induced rhinitis”). In rare cases, the alveoli become chronically inflamed (hypersensitivity pneumonitis), which can lead to permanent lung damage due to the formation of scar tissue in the lungs.   Scientific research shows that exposure to moisture problems and mold in homes is associated with a higher risk of respiratory symptoms. This is especially true for children, but also applies to adults. Some studies have found that people living in damp or moldy buildings are up to 75% more likely to experience respiratory symptoms and asthma-related problems. In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidance on the dangers of mold. According to the WHO, mold growth in homes is a proven risk factor for respiratory diseases, which is why preventive measures are recommended to avoid moisture problems and mold growth. From certain

If you suspect medical malpractice and want compensation, you must first prove that a mistake was actually made. That isn’t always easy. The difference between a complication and actual medical malpractice is far from always clear at first glance. At Beer advocaten, you can request a medical-legal feasibility assessment. This will give you more clarity on the feasibility of your medical liability case. How does the assessment work? One of our in-house medical advisors reviews the medical information. At the same time, your attorney will do the same from a legal perspective. The medical advisor explains to the attorney what happened during your treatment and what may not have been done correctly. Based on that advice and the legal analysis, you’ll receive a medical-legal feasibility assessment. What might the assessment entail? Sometimes the opinion is positive. In that case, you can choose to have a notice of liability drafted. Sometimes, it’s recommended to let the matter rest. There can be various reasons for this. A negative opinion is, of course, not what you hoped to hear, but it can also provide clarity and closure. A positive recommendation is no guarantee Once the notice of liability has been sent, the other party—usually an insurer—will have its own view of the case. The insurer will typically also consult a medical advisor. Our views may align or differ. If the latter is the case, we often enter the next phase to determine who is ‘right’: the expert report. An independent expert will then review all available (medical) information once more and write a report. Based on that report, there is usually greater clarity regarding the medical treatment and whether a medical error was made. What are the costs? You are initially responsible for paying the costs of the feasibility study yourself. The exact cost of this investigation and consultation depends on the complexity of the case and the size of the medical file. A cost estimate will be provided on a case-by-case basis. If liability is acknowledged, I will attempt to recover the costs from the insurer. Do you suspect a medical error? I’d be happy to discuss your options with you. Mr. Van de Velde is an attorney at Beer advocaten and represents exclusively victims and their surviving relatives.