Queens Lead Paint Injury

Prior to the late 1970s, lead paint was commonly used to paint homes and to paint toys. However, in the 1970s the government recognized the dangers of lead paint and it banned its use in homes in 1978. However, to this dates there are older buildings in New York that still have lead paint on the walls. This is a problem because over time lead paint chips and peels. When this happens the toxins contained in lead become airborne. Lead paint chips present a significant hazard as children are likely to pick up the paint chips and eat them. In addition, when older buildings are renovated if workers do not use proper safety equipment, they may be exposed to the lead, putting their health at risk. The risks associated with lead paint exposure are significant. Lead paint can cause nerve damage, brain damage, and behavioral problems. Treating nerve damage, brain damage and other medical problems that result from lead paint exposure can be costly. If you or your child was exposed to lead pain due to another person's carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation based on a product liability claim or worker's compensation claim. Thus, if you are in need of an injury attorney because 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 Queens personal injury lawyer who will explain to you your options for pursuing compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Exposure to lead paint over an extended period of time can lead to a variety of health problems including:

• Stunted growth
• Learning disabilities
• Behavioral problems
• Speech problems
• Nerve damage
• Seizures
• Brain damage
• High blood pressure
• Digestive issues
• Reproductive problems

Lead paint was commonly used in a variety of ways prior to 1980. Here some places where lead paint was commonly used prior to it being banned:

• Paint used in residences prior to 1978. Even today there are still residences that have not been repainted or where the lead paint was never properly removed.
• Toys manufactured prior to 1976
• Jewelry
• Art supplies
• Pipes and faucets

The injuries caused by lead pain exposure can be severe resulting in significant medical bills and missing work. For child victims the damage caused by exposure to lead paint can be lifelong. Through a personal injury lawsuit you may be able to recover damages to help with the financial burden of substantial medical bills and diminishing income.

• Medical bills: The medical bills that you incur because of the lead paint poisoning include expenses related to hospitalization, doctors' visits, rehabilitation, therapy, medication and medical devices.
• Lost wages: If you missed work because of the lead paint poisoning you can demand that the negligent part compensate you for your lost wages and for your loss of future earning capacity.

If your lead paint injury occurred in the workplace then you may be entitled to works' compensation benefits.

At the age of 1 Jack and his mother moved into an apartment in Queens. At a routine checkup, Jack's pediatrician found high levels of lead in Jack's blood. The pedestrian contacted the health department. On inspecting the apartment the investigators found lead pain inside the home. The landlord was told to remove the lead paint. The landlord did not. Instead he hired a painter to paint a few areas of Jack's apartment. The process of painting caused chips of lead paint and dust to settle throughout the apartment. Two years later Jack was hospitalized for lead poisoning. Jack and his mother moved. However, the Jack already suffered serious developmental problems for the lead poisoning. His mother filed a lawsuit against the owner of the apartment building, the landlord, and the property manager, claiming that they knew that there was lead-based paint in the Jack's apartment, failed to disclose it to her and failed to fix the problem. Jack's mother filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jack. The case was settled.

If you suspect that you or your child 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 with lead paint injuries as well as claims from those who were injured in auto accidents, slip and fall claims, and other types of accidents. We will evaluate the details of your case and aggressively pursue damages from those responsible for the lead paint poisoning. Contact us 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.