NYC Personal Injury Lawyer » Bronx Lead Poisoning Attorney

Bronx Lead Poisoning Attorney

Bronx residents enjoy the iconic vintage buildings and deep local history, but when over 72% of Bronx homes, schools, and other structures date from before 1978, the risks of developing lead poisoning remain high, especially for vulnerable children. Bronx property owners have a legal obligation to remove or safely encapsulate lead-based paint and lead pipes from their structures. Unfortunately, some property owners in Bronx neighborhoods cut corners, postpone repairs, or use negligent repair and restoration practices, increasing the instances of lead exposure and lead poisoning to residents.

A Bronx premises liability lawyer will help you get the financial compensation you deserve — contact us online today.

Understanding the Dangers of Lead Poisoning in The Bronx

Many homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, and other structures in the Bronx predate the nationwide ban on lead-based paint, pipes, and other building materials by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1978. Before that time, lead was commonly used in construction due to its pliability, durability, and low cost. New York’s public health law requires property owners to replace lead pipes and other lead materials in their structures and to safely remove lead paint or encapsulate lead paint by covering it with specialized paint with an endurable barrier.

Unfortunately, as time passes without updating the specialized paint, the encapsulating layer may chip or wear away, especially around window and door frames, allowing lead-based paint dust to escape.

Long-term lead exposure may result in the following:

• Digestive problems
• High blood pressure
• Increased instances of strokes and heart disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney failure
• Miscarriages, premature birth, stillbirth, and reproductive problems in women
• Decreased sperm count in men
• Problems with concentration and memory
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities
• Mood disorders

Children are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning, sometimes exhibiting extreme symptoms such as seizures, anemia, behavioral problems, decreased cognitive abilities, and lower intelligence scores.

Bronx children should undergo routine blood lead screening during pediatric checkups.

Proving Liability In Bronx Lead Poisoning Cases

Property owners must adhere to building codes and New York’s public health laws when restoring and maintaining aging properties to mitigate the threat of dangerous lead exposure. When you or a loved one suffers harm caused by lead poisoning in the Bronx, you can demand financial accountability from the negligent party. The evidence in your case must demonstrate the following:

• The property owner had a legal duty of care to the injury victim because they were legally on the property and not trespassing or committing a crime
• They breached their duty through negligence
• The breach of duty directly caused the lead poisoning
• The injury victim suffered damages from the lead poisoning

Evidence in Bronx lead-poisoning claims often includes blood test results, repair orders, building maintenance records, and lab results from tests for lead dust in Bronx structures.

In most cases, the property owner is at fault for injury damages in lead poisoning cases, but additional liable parties could include the paint manufacturer, negligent contractors, or government agencies for their regulatory failure.

What Can I Gain From a Claim Against a Property Owner for Lead Poisoning In the Bronx?

Lead poisoning causes permanent irreparable harm to multiple organ systems with long-term exposure. A successful claim won’t erase the harm caused by lead poisoning, but it brings a sense of justice and financial accountability for losses related to the poisoning. Common damages recovered include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future income loss
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Compensation for pain, suffering, and catastrophic injury, such as a child’s permanent impairment or reproductive and digestive problems in adults
• Compensation for emotional anguish

In the worst cases, a wrongful death claim could recover compensation for a lead poisoning victim who suffered from a fatal illness — contact a wrongful death lawyer in the Bronx.

How Can a Bronx Lead Poisoning Attorney Help?

Lead poisoning is a serious matter, with long-term implications on all aspects of life. Fortunately, you don’t have to be left responsible for the financial consequences as well as the physical and emotional ones. Instead, contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel to learn how an experienced attorney can help your family recover compensation for your losses.