The discovery of arsenic in the tap water of Riis Houses operated by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) (the Projects) has raised questions and concerns about how the housing authority handled the testing. According to THE CITY, which first reported the issue, this has triggered an investigation by the federal monitor overseeing NYCHA. After residents reported “cloudy” water two weeks ago, NYCHA tested the water and received results declaring the water “drinkable.”
Lack of Information to Residents
However, the housing authority, for reasons not explained, decided to retest the water. A private water management company that performed the test detected arsenic. THE CITY reports that NYCHA (the Projects) did not release that test result for a whole day and there was no public acknowledgement or warning until City Hall confirmed the arsenic finding late on Sept. 2.
The following day, the federal monitor who oversees NYCHA announced he would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the water testing at Riis Houses. The federal monitor, Bart Schwartz, was appointed after the Manhattan U.S. Attorney in 2016 documented that that NYCHA management for years had covered up poor conditions including toxic lead paint and lead poisoning cases in the Projects for many years.
On Saturday, Sept. 3, NYCHA (the Projects) began advising the 2,600 tenants of Riis not to drink or cook with the water coming out of their taps. NYCHA has been bringing in bottled water to residents for drinking and cooking and Mayor Eric Adams has paid an emergency visit to the development. Tenants have complained that they had been kept in the dark about the testing before the mayor’s appearance. Residents also say they are angered and concerned about the lack of information from NYCHA. Some said they have been having stomach issues, which they now worry may be because of the toxic water.
Premises Liability Issues
Under New York’s premises liability law, the owner of a property or a landlord (building owner) is required to exercise reasonable care of the property. They are required to inspect the property regularly. They must also regularly maintain the property, which includes checking for hazards and repairing those dangerous conditions. Building owners are also required to warn tenants and those living or working on their property about existing dangerous conditions in a timely manner.
Generally speaking, landlords (building owners) and property managers can be held liable for injuries or illnesses that occur because of dangerous conditions on the property. Whether it’s the danger stemming from toxic lead paint or dangerous contaminants in the water, the liability attaches on property owners or property managers because they have an obligation to inspect, correct the defects and warn tenants about possible dangers in a timely manner.
Contacting an Experienced Premises Liability Lawyer
Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (the Projects), please remember that you have legal rights. If you or a loved one has suffered health issues due to lead poisoning or other types of toxic exposure, regardless of whether you live in public or private housing, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) (the Projects) or private building owners and building managers for damages. Those who have been affected can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, cost of diagnostic tests, permanent injuries, lost income and benefits, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If your child has been affected by lead poisoning, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our firm recovered $1,162,500 for a child who suffered lead poisoning from paint in her apartment. The child’s injuries were subtle and difficult to recognize. We recovered $162,500 above the $1 million dollar total insurance policy in this case. Despite the judge’s efforts to settle the case for $950,000, we fought hard and recovered $162,500 more than the insurance policy of one million dollars. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/9/3/23336163/federal-monitor-investigating-how-arsenic-got-into-nycha-jaob-riis-water-supply