Two Syracuse property owners accused by state officials of maintaining 23 properties in serious disrepair, which led to the lead poisoning of several children, have been ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution to families and pay to repair the homes. According to Central Current, the New York Attorney General’s office announced that her office had reached a settlement with Brian and Harry Murphy, a father and son building owner duo that had been under investigation since late 2023 or renting out properties with rampant property code violations.
Details of the Investigation
The investigation found that at least seven children of families living in properties owned by the Murphys had suffered lead poisoning while living in the homes. As part of the settlement, the Murphys will establish a tenant relief fund for the affected families and pay $80,000 to conduct lead inspections, risk assessments and repair work at the properties with a history of citations for lead poisoning hazards. The properties will also be subject to annual lead hazard inspections and that the property management will be expected to comply with all federal, state and local lead safety regulations going forward, according to the agreement, and failing to do so would result in additional fines of up to $80,000.
This increased focus on maintaining lead-safe housing comes at a time when Onondaga county is experiencing severe issues with housing disrepair and childhood lead poisoning. In Syracuse, almost one in every 10 children tested for lead poisoning in 2025 showed elevated blood lead levels, according to the count health department’s data. The city also has older homes and likely a significant number of homes in the city have been painted with lead-based paint at some point.
The AG’s office estimates that 81% of the city’s homes were built before 1970 when New York banned lead-based paint. The office also noted that the Murphys have owned and managed 78 rental properties with at least 153 individual rental units, all built before 1955. Many contain surfaces painted with lead paint, and between 2017 and 2025, at least 54 of their properties were cited for deteriorating housing conditions resulting in about 367 code violations, according to a press release from the AG’s office. The statement added that the building owners in this case also failed to adequately disclose the presence of lead poisoning hazards to renting families, an action required under federal law since 1992.
Harm to Children and Property Owners’/Managers’ Responsibilities
Lead exposure is especially harmful to children because their bodies and brains are still developing. Even low levels of lead can cause learning disabilities, reduced IQ, attention disorders and behavioral problems. In more severe cases, it could lead to anemia, kidney damage or delayed growth. Lead is often found in older housing through deteriorating lead-based paint, contaminated dust or soil, making children in such environments particularly vulnerable.
In New York, property owners and managers have clear legal responsibilities to protect tenants from lead exposure. Under state and city laws, owners of buildings built before 1960 (or between 1960-1978 if they know lead paint is present) must disclose any known lead-based paint hazards to tenants. They are required to provide a lead disclosure form and an informational pamphlet at the start of a lease. In New York City, building owners must also annually ask tenants if a child under the age of six years lives in the apartment and inspect units for lead hazards accordingly. If hazards are found, they must be promptly and safely repaired using certified professionals. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties and legal liability.
New York Lead Poisoning Lawyer
Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (the Projects) or if your child has been exposed to lead through contaminated water in school, 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 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. It is in the best interest of injured victims and their families in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for the injuries, and definitely before contacting or communicating with any insurance company, or their lawyers, investigators, or adjusters.
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 fought hard and 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. 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, paraplegia cases, quadriplegia cases and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy 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://centralcurrent.org/new-york-ags-office-levies-100k-fine-against-father-son-landlord-duo-in-syracuse/