A Long Island company threatened public health by exposing people to lead-based paint while doing renovation work in residential properties, according to a new federal lawsuit filed against a New Hyde Park contractor. A news report in the Daily Voice stated that the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks injunctive relief preventing the company from performing lead-based abatements and renovations in the New York City area.
Failure to Follow Regulations
It is also alleged that since 2012, the contractor repeatedly performed lead-based paint abatements and renovations in the New York City metro area in violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act. In addition, the contractor failed to assign a certified supervisor to oversee the abatements; failed to follow post-abatement clearance procedures; failed to ensure that a certified abatement worker performed the work; and failed to get EPA certification before performing at least one renovation.
The United States filed this action to protect children and families from the contractor’s improper and unsafe practices, officials said. They hope the injunction will put an end to these practices that endanger public health and pose the risk of lead poisoning. Lead is commonly found in paints that were used in residences built before 1978. The nation’s strict lead paint laws are meant to ensure that contractors and builders conducting lead paint-related activities such as renovations use properly trained workers.
Health Effects of Lead
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead poisoning happens when excess amounts of lead contaminates the body through the skin or from breathing, eating or drinking. While lead can be dangerous to individuals in all age groups, they are particularly harmful to children under age 7. Young children also tend to absorb lead more easily than older kids and adults.
Lead can harm the production of blood cells and the absorption of calcium, which is needed for strong bones and teeth, muscle movements and the functioning of nerves and blood vessels. High lead levels in the body can also cause irreversible brain and kidney damage.
Lead poisoning has been a major concern in New York City after it was found that thousands of young children living in New York City Housing Authority’s public housing units (NYCHA) (the Projects) were exposed to chipping or peeling lead paint. A number of private housing projects in the city also expose residents to lead paint. A major lead testing project in the Projects as well as community centers around New York City is currently on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Understanding Your Rights
If 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 your child has been diagnosed with high blood lead levels, regardless of whether you live in public or private housing, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the NYCHA (the Projects) or private landlords (building owners) for damages. It is important that you get your children’s blood lead levels tested if you live in a housing development that is known to have lead paint.
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. A knowledgeable 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 Projects (NYCHA) or private building owners accountable for their negligence (carelessness).
NYC Lead Poisoning Lawyer
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 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: https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/suffolk/news/long-island-contractor-accused-of-violating-toxic-substances-control-act/786618/