I was locked up in a one man cell for 23 hours a day for 5 months. the vent was covered with mold, can that make me cough uncontrollably like i did, and the damage it would cause to my lungs and organs if left untreated. please explain?

To establish any negative effect (change from baseline) and attract the interest of a lawyer you would need pre & post incarceration x-rays and pulmonary function tests. In the absence of demonstrated new injury they are unlikely to take a case on contingency & not be a good investment to you on a fee basis. Ask as often as you wish. Maybe it did/or not. Get examined if you are worried.

Definitely not ideal conditions. Cough is a symptom that may be due to a variety of conditions and proving that in your case was due to mold only would be difficult, but not impossible. Work up will be needed providing you are left with chronic symptoms.