Long Island Lead Paint Injury

Lead poisoning is typically the result of exposure to lead in paint found in older residential and commercial buildings, including apartment buildings and schools. In addition, lead paint exposure can be the result of consumer products and toys being coated with lead-based paint. However, the dangers of lead paint are well documented. It can cause victims to suffer serious medical problems such as kidney damage, mental impairment, memory loss, cognitive impairment, psychological disorders, learning disabilities, hearing loss, seizures, and permanent brain damage. These types of medical problems are often permanent leading to lifelong medical bills and compromised quality of life. If you are concerned that you or your children have been injured from exposure to lead paint, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Long Island lead paint injury lawyer who will explain your options for pursuing compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Lead paint can lead to a myriad of medical problems, especially in children as their brains are still developing. Symptoms and conditions that have been associated with lead paint exposure include:

• Deafness
• Convulsions
• Brain injury
• ADHD and ADD
• Learning disabilities
• Fertility problems
• Pregnancy complications
• Nerve disorders
• Memory loss
• Inability to concentrate
• High blood pressure

In 1992, the federal government passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act to address lead paint exposure. This law is designed to protect families, particularly children, from being exposed to lead paint. While prior to 1978 lead paint was commonly used to paint residential properties, it also was used on commercial properties. In fact, paint containing lead has been used on commercial properties after 1978. This means that construction workers and others who work on commercial properties may also be at risk for lead poisoning. Thus, workers may be exposed to lead paint if they are involved in construction, demolition, maintenance or renovation of pre-1978 residential properties or commercial properties. Activities that put workers at risk if lead paint is involved include grinding, stripping, sanding, scraping, heating, blasting or cutting.

Under OSHA regulations workers are required to be trained on how to avoid lead poisoning when working around lead paint dust. In addition, employers must provide workers with proper safety equipment. If required safety precautions are not followed and as a result a victim suffers lead poisoning, then the employer may be legally liable.

If you have medical problems that you believe were caused by exposure to lead paint, through a personal injury lawsuit you may be awarded damages for your losses. As a lead paint attorney in Long Island will explain, compensable losses may include past and future medical expenses related to the lead paint poisoning such as bills from your doctors and specialists, inpatient and outpatient treatment, therapy medication and psychological counseling. Another compensable loss is lost income. Lost income may include lost wages, lost benefits, and loss of future earning potential. You may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.

If you were injured by lead paint poisoning in the course of working, then you may be eligible to receive benefits from workers' compensation. Workers' compensation benefits include medical benefits and lost wages. If your injury is expected to prevent you from working long term, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

If you suspect that you or your loved ones have been exposed to lead paint, contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims from people suffering from serious injuries because of the negligence of others. Contact an experienced lead paint injury attorney serving Long Island at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.