Diagnosis and Treatment for Lead Paint Poisoning in Baltimore
Contact Us Today
For A Free Consultation
Lead paint poisoning continues to be a public health crisis in Baltimore and across the United States, especially for children. As a result, the proper diagnosis and treatment for lead paint poisoning in Baltimore can be crucial for families.
If the negligence of building owners or landlords results in lead paint poisoning, injured parties may have a claim for compensation against them.
When individuals suffer from lead paint exposure, especially children or pregnant women, the resulting health effects can be devastating. In many cases, lead paint poisoning results in irreversible brain damage and impairments. The intervention of a lead paint poisoning lawyer may be essential to the ability of injured parties to seek compensation for their injuries.
Signs and Symptoms of Lead Paint Poisoning
Lead paint poisoning diagnosis and treatment in Baltimore can be challenging as many individuals may appear perfectly healthy until the damage already has occurred. The signs and symptoms of lead paint poisoning often do not appear until dangerous amounts of lead have accumulated in bodies over time. At this point, individuals already may have experienced permanent health effects.
Lead poisoning symptoms may present differently in newborns and children than in adults. Some of the most common symptoms of lead painting poisoning in children may include:
- Developmental delays and learning difficulties
- Premature birth, low birth weights, and slowed growth rates
- Loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and irritability
- Seizures
Vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and hearing loss are other potential side effects of lead paint poisoning. However, even these symptoms may not initially lead to a lead paint poisoning diagnosis. Many of these symptoms are attributable to other medical conditions, as well, which may lead to delays in diagnosis or misdiagnosis.
Lead Paint Poisoning Diagnosis
Diagnosis of lead paint exposure occurs through a simple blood test. As there is no safe level of lead in the blood of children, any indication of lead may necessitate routine blood testing to monitor lead levels. Some cities and states have established recommended testing guidelines for children who may be at greater risk of lead paint poisoning.
Other diagnostic tests may include additional blood tests to measure the amount of iron storing cells in blood, X-rays, and bone marrow biopsies.
Treatment for Lead Paint Poisoning
Once blood testing confirms a lead paint poisoning diagnosis, treatment, if necessary, can begin. The first step to successfully treating any level of lead in children is to remove the source of their lead exposure. Although lead removal from the environment sometimes is not possible, families can take precautions to minimize exposure.
In severe cases of lead paint poisoning, there are some options for treatment. These treatments may include:
- Chelation therapy, which uses oral medication to bind lead so that individuals excrete it in urine
- EDTA chelation therapy, which uses an injectable chemical for individuals who cannot tolerate the traditional chelation therapy
The chemicals used in the different types of chelation therapy have side effects, as well. EDTA could cause kidney dysfunction and DMSA could result in nausea, abdominal pain, and allergic reactions.
Despite the removal of the lead paint source and chelation therapy, however, the effects of lead paint poisoning are sometimes difficult or impossible to eliminate or reverse. Even low levels of lead exposure could cause permanent intellectual disabilities for which there is no treatment. As a result, Baltimore diagnosis and treatment for lead paint poisoning is essential.
Baltimore Lead Paint Poisoning Diagnosis and Treatment
Older and poorly maintained homes and rental units could contain lead paint that may be dangerous to the health of your children and family. Once lead paint exposure occurs, the resulting medical conditions may be irreversible. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment for lead paint poisoning in Baltimore could be crucial to your ability to protect your family.
If negligence has caused your child or other family members to sustain lead paint poisoning, you should act quickly to protect any legal rights that you may have to compensation.
Time limits exist for the filing of legal claims concerning lead paint poisoning, so getting legal advice about your situation in a timely manner is important. Working with legal counsel to determine whether you have a claim for damages could be helpful to accessing the care that you need for affected family members.
