Staten Island Lead Paint Injury

Nearly a century ago experts were aware off the dangers of lead paint. However, it was not until years later in the later 1970s that the EPA banned it and it became illegal to use in residential buildings. However, lead paint is still present in many residences as well as in commercial structures. It still causes serious health problems to those exposed to it. At greatest risk are children who eat peeling lead paint chips and workers charged with removing lead paint or working on structures that have lead paint. Because of the federal and local regulations related to the use of lead paint and the safety regulations related to safely working around lead paint, nowadays exposure to lead paint will only occur if someone recklessly or negligently ignores safety regulations designed to protect families and workers. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury such as a brain injury or developmental problems due to exposures to lead paint it is important that you immediately contact a Staten Island lead paint injury lawyer who will explain to you the process for filing a claim against the responsible party and demanding compensation for your losses.

Lead paint poisoning is often associated with children who eat paint chips from peeling paint in old apartment buildings. However, it is also found on commercial property, putting construction workers at risk when performing renovations, removing the lead paint, or demolishing structures.

Lead exposure can have a profound effect on victims—children as well as adults. Examples of damage that lead paint exposure can cause include abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, memory loss, fatigue and hyperactivity.

Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of lead poisoning and can suffer developmental and cognitive problems, including:

• Decreased IQ
• Developmental delays
• Speech difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• ADHD
• Brain damage

New York law allows victims who suffered serious injuries due to another person's reckless or neglect behavior to file lawsuits to demand compensation. For example, if your landlord was negligent in failing to remove lead paint from your apartment and as a result you or your children became ill, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your landlord, property manager, or owner of the building. A lead paint injury attorney in Staten Island will explain that through a personal injury lawsuit you can demand compensation for the following losses:

• Medical expenses: All past and future expenses related to treating the lead paint poisoning. Depending on the type of injury suffered, such expenses may include bills related to the hospital, neurologist, and toxicologist. An injured child suffering developmental delays may have expenses related to speech therapy, occupational counseling, education specialists, and psychological counseling.
• Lost wages: If as a result of your lead poisoning you had to miss work, you can demand compensation for the time you missed. Lost wages includes more than the paychecks you failed to earn. It also may include vacation or sick days that you used while recovering or seeking treatment and benefits lost or that you failed to accrue because.
• Pain and suffering. This includes compensation for permanent injuries from being exposed to lead paint, such as irreversible brain damage and developmental delays.

If your lead paint injury occurred while you were working at a construction site, renovations site, or demolition site, you may have a valid workers' compensation claim. Workers' compensation benefits include medical care for treating your lead poisoning-related medical problem as well as lost wages.

If you suspect that you or a family member are suffering a serious illness because of exposure to lead paint, contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our lead paint injury lawyers serving Staten Island understand both the legal issues and medical issues associated with exposure to toxins such as lead. 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.