It is no secret that the New York City Housing Authority (NYHCA) is in some serious hot water after investigations over lead poisoning cases, particularly among children, that have occurred in their public housing properties. The lead paint situation has gotten so bad in New York City’s public housing that activists and advocates are comparing the situation to Flint, Michigan, which had to deal with lead-contaminated water, a crisis that began in 2014 and peaked in 2016.
The agency has been accused of not carrying out the necessary inspections for lead paint in its public housing. More than 400,000 New Yorkers, most of whom are low-income families, reside in NYCHA’s 328 public housing developments across the City’s five boroughs.
New Laws to Battle Lead Poisoning
Following the lead paint scandal in NYCHA and city-owned properties also known as “The Projects,” the City Council recently moved to tighten laws designed to protect children from exposure to lead paint. Council members plan to introduce new bills that would require more comprehensive investigations when a child is found with elevated lead levels and strengthen lead paint laws for apartments and other locations where children spend time.
Earlier this year, a Bronx family was awarded $57 million in a judgment against the NYCHA after a jury found the agency responsible for a 12-year-old girl’s lead poisoning. The family had lived at the apartment in 1999 and the girl was born in 2005. In 2010, the girl’s blood test results showed her blood lead levels at 45 micrograms per deciliter, nine times that of the CDC’s limit of 5 micrograms.
How Children Are Affected
Lead is typically absorbed by children who come in contact with chipping lead paint off walls or inhaled as dust. Exposure to high lead levels in a short period or exposure to small amounts of lead over a long period of time can both cause serious health problems in children. When it gets to the bloodstream, lead damages red blood cells and limits their ability to carry oxygen to the organs and tissues that need it, thereby causing anemia. Long-term lead exposure in children may lead to decreased bone and muscle growth, poor muscle coordination, kidney damage, hearing issues, speech and language issues, cognitive problems, learning disabilities and other developmental delays. In some cases where there is acute lead toxicity, children may suffer irreversible brain damage and seizures.
If You Have Been Affected
If you live in the projects or public housing and if your child has been diagnosed with high blood lead levels, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the NYCHA for damages. You may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, cost of diagnostic tests, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
An experienced New York City lead poisoning lawyer will be able to help you file the lawsuit and compile the evidence that is required to hold the agency accountable for its negligence. As a resident of public housing, you and your family have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment. The NYCHA has a duty as the property owner and manager to provide a safe and healthy environment for all residents.
Filing a Lead Poisoning Lawsuit
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 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 full policy of one million dollars.
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 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.
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Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/city-council-pushes-tougher-lead-paint-laws-nycha-bombshell-article-1.3978974