Lead Paint Poisoning Claims in Baltimore
Lead paint poisoning is one of the most significant environmental health threats to young children. Although laws banning lead paint usage became effective in the late 1970s, thousands of homes built before that time still contain lead paint. If you believe that you may have lead paint poisoning claims in Baltimore, you may wish to seek legal advice right away.
Lead paint claims are time-sensitive, so promptly contacting a personal injury lawyer who regularly handles these types of claims may be advantageous to you. If you have a valid legal claim, you might be entitled to compensation for the injuries that you or your family members. As the defects that could result from lead paint exposure may be severe and irreversible, obtaining compensation could provide much-needed financial support.
Lead Paint Poisoning
Landlords and other property owners continue to own many properties that contain lead paint. While there are remedial measures that property managers could take to remove lead paint, these measures tend to be expensive. As a result, many property owners choose to leave the lead paint in place or take insufficient steps to remedy the problem.
Many rental homes or apartments contain chipped or peeling lead paint due to a lack of maintenance. As a result, young children whose brains are still developing could suffer devastating injuries when they ingest these paint chips. Renovations to homes or apartments also could create airborne lead particles which children can inhale. When children ingest or inhale toxic lead paint chips or dust, they could be subject to lead paint poisoning.
Debilitating Effects of Lead Paint Poisoning
Lead paint poisoning can lead to a whole host of neurological problems that often are untreatable. The impact of lead paint exposure includes:
- Learning disabilities and loss of IQ points
- Concentration and memory problems
- Antisocial and hyperactive behaviors
- Brain damage and neuropsychological deficits
In the most severe cases, individuals exposed to high levels of lead paint can experience brain swelling, major organ failure, coma, and death. When the negligence of property owners leads to lead paint poisoning, injured parties may have claims for lead paint poisoning in Baltimore.
The damages that lead paint exposure inflicts on unsuspecting individuals are largely permanent. As a result, those who are children at the time of exposure may require ongoing medical care for their entire lives. They also may never achieve self-sufficiency, depending on the severity of their impairments.
Testing for Lead Poisoning
X-ray fluorescence XRF tests can show whether a residence has lead paint contamination that could be causing injuries to children and other occupants. Blood tests can measure the lead exposure in these individuals. In some cases, living in a specific area of the city results in mandated lead screenings at routine 12 and 24-month well-child visits.
Even if families did not live in an area that the Health Department has targeted for required screenings, they could undergo lead testing through their doctors. If newborns and children exhibit specific symptoms of lead poisoning, then testing may be appropriate.
Proof of lead poisoning in children and test results from their residence showing the presence of lead paint can be strong evidence in support of Baltimore claims for lead paint poisoning.
Pursue Baltimore Lead Paint Poisoning Claims Today
Like all lawsuits, lead paint poisoning claims are subject to a statute of limitations under state law. Generally, individuals have three years from the date of the poisoning within which to file their lead paint poisoning claims in Baltimore. However, children have an extended timeframe for pursuing their claims.
Children who suffered from lead paint poisoning while minors have three years from the date of their 18th birthdays to seek compensation through injury claims. Once these children turn 21, however, they no longer will be able to make any claims for damages against potentially negligent property owners. As a result, if you suspect that a family member is showing signs of lead paint poisoning, you should not hesitate to get a legal assessment of your potential claim.
