Lead Poisoning Claims in Manhattan

Pursue Compensation with Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Lead poisoning is a serious health problem that has plagued New York City residents for many years. With the number of older buildings currently inhabited throughout the area, it’s not a surprise that lead poisoning continues to occur. Lead-based paint and lead in water or dust are still found in many of the older buildings currently being occupied today.

Even though the New York State government has banned the use of lead-based products, many landlords and property owners have failed to renovate old buildings or remove this toxic substance from their properties. This has led to numerous instances of lead poisoning throughout New York.

If you or someone in your family has been exposed to poisonous lead, you may be entitled to damages. An experienced Manhattan personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you take appropriate legal action when you contact Loscalzo & Loscalzo, P.C. by calling (646) 846-4776 today.

What Is Lead Poisoning?

The New York Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention define lead poisoning as 10mg/dl (micrograms per deciliter) of lead in the bloodstream. The people most susceptible and vulnerable to lead poisoning are children, especially children six years old or younger.

Although lead poisoning can be difficult to detect, a child with lead poisoning may exhibit some warning signs, such as:

• Loss of appetite
• Abnormal or rapid weight loss
• Trouble sleeping
• Constant fatigue
• Constipation
• Reduced attention span
• Hyperactivity
• Difficulty focusing
• Irritability and mood swings

As soon as a child has been exposed to lead-based products, he or she is already in a precarious position. Exposure to even the tiniest amount of lead can be detrimental, as it can lead to an array of health problems.

Common health problems associated with lead poisoning include:

• Decreased intelligence
• Neurological or brain damage
• Short-term memory loss
• Impaired mental development
• Impaired cognitive skills
• Learning disability
• Mental or growth retardation
• Reduced attention span
• Behavioral problems
• Kidney failure
• Seizures
• Coma 
• Death

Adults are also vulnerable especially those living in older buildings, or painters, carpenters, plumbers, or construction workers who come into contact with lead-based products on a daily basis. Common side effects include nerve, organ, or digestive system damage, constant headaches and lethargy, reproductive problems, concentration, retention, and memory problems, or problems with your joints or muscles.