Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Lead Poisoning on Children: Legal Recourse in New York 

Lead poisoning remains a significant health risk for children, particularly in older cities like New York City, where many residential buildings were constructed before lead-based paint was banned in 1978.

Even today, children in New York can be exposed to lead from deteriorating paint, contaminated soil, or old plumbing. The effects of lead poisoning can be devastating, leading to lifelong physical, cognitive, and behavioral issues. In cases where exposure is due to negligence, our personal injury attorneys are available to help families secure compensation for their child’s injuries and long-term needs.

The Long-Term Effects of Lead Poisoning on Children

Lead poisoning in children can have severe, long-lasting impacts on their health and development.

Here are some of the significant ways it can affect a child’s life:

• Cognitive Impairment

Lead exposure can cause irreversible damage to a child’s developing brain, leading to lower IQ, learning disabilities, and impaired attention spans. These cognitive effects often require specialized education and support throughout childhood and beyond.

• Behavioral Issues

Children exposed to lead may exhibit behavioral changes, including increased aggression, hyperactivity, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, lead poisoning has been linked to developmental disorders like ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.

• Physical Health Problems

Long-term exposure to lead can result in physical issues such as anemia, kidney damage, hearing loss, and slowed growth. Young children, whose bodies are still developing, are particularly vulnerable to these health problems, which may persist into adulthood.

• Delayed Development

Lead poisoning can delay milestones such as walking, talking, and potty training. The impact on motor skills can require long-term therapy and support to help children reach their developmental potential.

• Emotional and Social Struggles

Due to cognitive and behavioral challenges, children with lead poisoning may struggle with social relationships and experience emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and low self-esteem.

When a child suffers from lead poisoning due to negligence, families can pursue legal action to hold responsible parties accountable. We can help, starting with a free consultation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Child’s Lead Poisoning in New York City?

Determining liability in lead poisoning cases can be complex, as multiple parties may be responsible for the exposure.

Potentially liable parties can include:

• Landlords or Property Owners: Landlords in New York are required to inspect and maintain rental properties to ensure they are free of lead-based paint hazards, primarily if children under age six reside in the home. If they fail to address these hazards, they can be held liable.
• Property Management Companies: Property managers who fail to conduct regular inspections or address tenant complaints about peeling paint or other potential lead hazards may also be held responsible.
• Contractors or Renovators: If construction or renovation work is performed improperly and exposes tenants to lead-based paint or dust, contractors can be held accountable for resulting injuries.

To pursue a lead poisoning case in New York City, the injured party must establish negligence by proving that:

• The responsible party had a duty of care to protect tenants, residents, or children from exposure to lead.
• That duty was breached by failing to inspect, maintain, or remediate lead hazards.
• The breach of duty caused lead exposure, which harmed the child.
• The child suffered damages as a result, such as medical bills, therapy costs, educational support, and long-term care needs.

Families affected by lead poisoning can pursue compensation to cover various damages, including medical expenses, therapy and special education, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

In New York, the statute of limitations for lead poisoning cases involving children is generally longer than for other types of personal injury claims. Parents can file a lawsuit on behalf of their child until the child reaches the age of 18. Once the child turns 18, they have three more years to file a claim. However, acting promptly is crucial, as evidence can degrade over time, making it harder to prove negligence.

We understand how devastating it is to discover your child has been affected by lead poisoning. That’s why our experienced New York City injury attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations. If your case has merit, we will handle every aspect from start to finish, with no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. You won’t pay anything for our dedicated legal services unless we secure a successful outcome for your family. Your child’s well-being is our priority, and we are committed to supporting you through this challenging time.

Contact Our New York Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Contact the New York personal injury law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., online or call us at 212-279-2000 today for a free consultation about your case. We serve clients throughout New York City, in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Long Island.

Author: David Resnick

Founder of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a New York personal injury law firm in charge of providing exceptional and personal service to each of our clients in various areas including car accidents, slip and fall, wrongful death, construction accidents, and premises liability. David Resnick founded the firm in 1998 after working in large law firms where he saw a need for greater client communication and more personal care.