NEW YORK LEAD POISONING LAWYER
Children who live in poverty are the ones at the greatest risk of lead poisoning. The reasons for this are twofold. First, they are more likely to be undernourished, lacking in adequate intake of calcium, iron, protein and zinc. These deficiencies lead to an increased susceptibility to the adverse effects of lead. Second, children living in low income, older homes and apartments are exposed to deteriorating conditions, exposing them to flaking lead paint and lead-contaminated dust. These are the leading causes of elevated BLL’s in young children and toddlers.
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There are over 4 million homes in the U.S. with children being exposed to high lead levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The CDC also estimates that there are approximately 500,000 children living in the U.S. ages 1-5 with blood lead levels over the CDC danger level of 5 micrograms per deciliter. That is the level in which the CDC recommends public health actions be taken. No safe level in children has ever been recognized.
If you or a loved one has lead poisoning caused by negligence such as failure to remediate lead paint, lead in products or work place exposure, contact the Law Offices of Tanya Gendelman at
1-718-305-4430
for a free evaluation of your case. You may be entitled to a significant award
Lead poisoning can have adverse effects on virtually every system of the human body. The neurotoxin is harmful to all humans but it is particularly damaging to children, whose growing bodies can absorb the substance rapidly. Recent news stories have highlighted the dangers of lead being present in drinking water supplies, however lead may be present at high levels in other places as well, especially in the paint of apartments, older houses and public buildings. It may even show up in toys, as was discovered in popular fidget spinners being sold by Target.
How Lead Exposure Occurs
Although exposure to lead has been significantly reduced over the past twenty years, the risk has been far from eliminated. Lead is no longer used in gasoline, food cans or house paint. Levels in drinking water, hazardous waste and glazed ceramics used for cooking and eating have been reduced. These reductions have led to a decline in children’s blood lead levels but the risks still exist, especially in the paint of homes and apartments in older, urban housing.
Particularly at high risk of lead exposure are toddlers and young children as they have a tendency to put things in their mouths. Housing structures built before 1978 still have a high likelihood of lead paint exposurewhere newer coats of paint have chipped or worn away. The presence of lead paint is very common in painted surfaces of homes built prior to 1950. The paint may be several layers below but peeling or wear can expose the lead to children.
Aside from paint, toxic lead poisoning may also occur from:
Ceramic glazes
Lead glazed pottery imported into the U.S. is required by law to be marked as such, but often it is not, especially when brought back by travelers abroad.
Imported cans of food and drink
These containers may be sealed with lead based solder
Carry home lead from industry
Lead residue may be brought home from certain lines of employment such as renovation, demolition, radiator repair, battery manufacturing, scrap metal, pottery manufacturing, stained glass making and others.
Imported cosmetics
Often colored bright yellow or orange, these tainted products may come from Mexico, the Middle East, Southeast Asia or India along with many other places.
Toys
Some toys, primarily bright painted toys from offshore, may contain lead.
Children who live in poverty are the ones at the greatest risk of lead poisoning. The reasons for this are twofold. First, they are more likely to be undernourished, lacking in adequate intake of calcium, iron, protein and zinc. These deficiencies lead to an increased susceptibility to the adverse effects of lead. Second, children living in low income, older homes and apartments are exposed to deteriorating conditions, exposing them to flaking lead paint and lead-contaminated dust. These are the leading causes of elevated BLL’s in young children and toddlers.
In New York it is required for all children between ages 1 and 2 to be tested for lead poisoning
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
The Mayo Clinic has defined lead poisoning as a BLL greater than 10Hg/dl. A BLL of only 10 Hg/dl can negatively impact intelligence, behavior, development and learning. Due to the slow progression of lead poisoning from long-term exposure, symptoms may not be apparent until levels are severe.
Aside from paint, toxic lead poisoning may also occur from:
Symptoms of lead poisoning in adults may include:
- Muscular weakness
- Sleep disorders
- Behavior problems, such as aggression, moodiness or hyperactivity
- Learning problems
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
- Slightly lower intelligence and smaller size for age.
- Loss of developmental skills
- Changes in mood, personality and behavior
- Cognitive issues such as memory loss and trouble thinking clearly
- Weakness and muscle problems
- Headaches
- Anemia
- Kidney Dysfunction
- Brain Damage
In severe cases, seizures, paralysis and coma may occur in children with a BLL of 45 Hg/dl or greater. A simple test is all that is required to prevent damage. High blood levels can be treated with chelation however any damage that occurred from the poisoning cannot be reversed.
If You Know or Suspect Lead Poisoning
If you or your child has lead poisoning, or you suspect lead poisoning, it is crucial that you contact an a New York lead poisoning lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation to find the root cause, gather evidence and hire an inspector to locate the source of the lead poisoning. A skilled and experienced attorney will have the resources to perform all necessary research, both legal and medical, to prove your case.
A child could be exposed at a day care center, in school or in someone else’s dwelling. Sometimes adults are needlessly exposed to high levels of lead at work. If your child has suffered developmentally or if you or a loved one was made sick, we will aggressively pursue litigation against the responsible parties.
Landlords may try to shirk responsibility by denying their knowledge of children living at the premises. They may even try to shift the blame to another family member, the person’s socio-economic background, race or ethnicity.
Tanya Gendelman, New York lead poisoning lawyer
The Law Offices of Tanya Gendelman, New York lead poisoning lawyers, have successfully recovered damages for victims of lead poisoning for diminished chance of success, future loss of earnings, mental, emotional, psychological and behavioral injuries as well as incurred medical costs past and future.
Call the Law Offices of Tanya Gendelman today for a free evaluation of your case orrequest a meeting online.
Call 1-718-305-4430. Do not hesitate, as the time for filing your case is limited.
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