NYC Personal Injury Lawyer » Brooklyn Lead Poisoning Attorney

Brooklyn Lead Poisoning Attorney

Lead is a malleable, inexpensive metal that resists corrosion and enhances paint’s vibrancy and coverage. For these reasons, it was widely used in the plumbing and construction industries until it was banned from water lines in 1971, from paint in 1978, and from household plumbing pipes in 1987, once its severe adverse health impacts became widely known. Unfortunately, lead was so deeply ingrained in pre-1980s construction that it still negatively impacts the health of thousands of Brooklyn residents, with the most profound ill effects in children.

Contact a Brooklyn premises liability lawyer today to pursue financial compensation for injuries.

What are the Dangers of Lead-Based Paint and Pipes in Brooklyn Buildings?

Despite regulatory changes, a significant number of older buildings have high lead content in their plumbing systems. In addition, lead dust from old paint, which was sometimes simply painted over with coats of newer lead-free paint, a process known as “encapsulation,” may still allow lead dust and chips of lead-based paint to escape into the indoor environment once the outer paint coating wears down with age.

Lead isn’t processed and excreted by the body; instead, it builds up in the blood, is stored in the bones, and is released back into the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, lead may be present in the blood and have adverse health effects long before more serious symptoms arise.

What are the Long-Term Effects of Lead Exposure?

Lead is toxic to the body and damages organs, including the kidneys, heart, and brain. It also adversely affects the nervous system and reproductive system. The long-term effects on adults include the following:

• High blood pressure
• Increased heart disease
• Increased instances of stroke
• Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure
• Reproductive problems, including decreased sperm count in men, miscarriages and stillbirths in women, and premature birth
• Nerve damage and tingling in the extremities
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Mood disorders
• Digestive problems

Children are even more vulnerable to lead poisoning and often have increased exposure to lead dust from crawling and placing their fingers in their mouths. The long-term effects of lead exposure in children include the following:

• Anemia
• Lowered IQ
• Behavioral problems
• Learning difficulties
• Hearing loss
• Speech problems
• Slowed growth
• Nerve damage
• Seizures
• Headaches
• Digestive disorders, difficulty eating
• Fatigue
• Sleep disorders

No levels of lead in the blood are safe. Lead disrupts nearly all bodily systems by inducing oxidative stress, which increases free radical production and damages cell membranes.

Who Is Liable for Damages In a Brooklyn Lead Poisoning Case?

Lead is still in some older Brooklyn homes, apartment buildings, offices, and stores.  When a child or adult has adverse health impacts due to lead exposure, they may suffer negative health outcomes that affect an adult’s health, well-being, and earning ability. These same impacts have permanent, life-long consequences for children. Common liable parties in Brooklyn lead poisoning cases include:

• Negligent property owners who failed to repair or disclose lead hazards
• The manufacturers of products containing lead
• Contractors who used lead-based products
• Government agencies for regulatory failures

A successful claim cannot erase the harm caused, but it does provide compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost earnings, reduced earning capacity, special education costs for children, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.

Contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel About Your Lead Poisoning Case In Brooklyn

Lead poisoning is serious, with potentially life-altering effects, especially in children. If you or a loved one suffered lead poisoning in Brooklyn, contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel to learn how a Brooklyn personal injury attorney can help you to demand financial accountability through the settlement or court award your family deserves.