Who Is Responsible for Lead Exposure In NYC?

Posted in Premises Liability on October 24, 2025

New York City led the way in banning lead-based paint beginning in 1960 and initiated the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act in 2004. Still, some areas of NYC have consistent violation citations for lead paint and lead in water service lines. The New York City Council recorded as many as 58 violations per 1,000 buildings within the city in a single recent year.

Contact a premises liability attorney in NYC today — call (212) 564-2800.

What Are the Impacts of Lead Exposure In New York City?

Lead exposure is harmful to New York City residents of all ages, but children are especially vulnerable to impacts such as growth and developmental delays, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and decreased IQ and cognitive abilities. In addition to emotional and cognitive effects, prolonged lead exposure can cause physical illnesses, including anemia, seizures, kidney damage, abnormal bone growth, speech problems, hearing loss, and damage to the nervous system. Children under the age of six are especially vulnerable to severe injury from lead exposure because their nervous system and brain are still developing.

Adults who suffer from lead exposure face impacts such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, headaches, and cognitive decline. Prolonged exposure to high levels of lead can cause cardiovascular problems, seizures, and kidney failure.

Exposure to lead during pregnancy is linked to infertility, birth defects, miscarriage, and premature birth.

What Are the Symptoms of Lead Exposure?

Living in homes or apartment buildings built before the 1960s increases the chances of lead exposure. Symptoms of lead exposure include:

Cramps, gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and diarrhea
Headache
Seizures
Behavioral changes
Learning disorders
Fatigue
Anemia

Adults and children may be exposed to lead dust when opening and closing windows or from drinking water from lead pipes. Children face increased lead toxicity levels due to their habits of putting their fingers in their mouths, picking at chipped paint, placing toys in their mouths that may have lead dust on them, and biting windowsills, doorframes, and furniture.

Who Is Responsible for For Lead Exposure Injuries and Illnesses In NYC?

When a child or adult experiences symptoms of lead exposure or suspects they’ve been exposed to lead in their residence, school, or workplace, it’s crucial to have a blood screening test to prove the severity of the exposure. While a claim for compensation after lead exposure in NYC cannot erase the harm caused, it opens the door to the best possible medical care and provides victims and their families with compensation for their losses.

Before pursuing a claim, an injury victim must determine the correct responsible party and document evidence of their liability for damages. Common liable parties in lead exposure injury claims include the following:

A property owner
A Negligent construction company, plumbing company, or contractor
A government agency involved in government housing or public schools
The manufacturer of paint or other products with high lead content

Under New York’s comparative negligence laws, an injury victim may recover compensation from multiple parties who contributed fault. For instance, against a furniture manufacturer that used paint with a high lead concentration and a landlord who failed to inspect their premises for lead-based paint or pipes.

A NYC personal injury lawyer understands these complex premises liability laws and will fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Damages Are Recoverable From Parties Responsible for Lead Exposure In NYC?

Lead exposure during early childhood development has permanent adverse consequences for the child and their family. Exposure to lead as an adult can have serious negative impacts on physical and emotional health and well-being. A successful claim recovers compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, reduced earning ability, and compensation for pain and suffering. In cases with severe adverse outcomes, catastrophic injury damages may be available for diminished quality of life.