Experienced Lead Poisoning Attorneys in Queens, New York

Our Queens personal injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. are well-versed in lead-based paint laws and regulations. We understand that the federal government banned lead-based paint in homes in 1978, with New York City leading the way in 1960. However, many of the city’s houses, apartments, and public housing complexes were built long before the ban. That includes the Queensbridge Houses, the largest housing development in North America, which opened in 1939.

According to the World Health Organization, our lead poisoning attorneys also know the following to be true:

• Exposure to lead can affect multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children and women of childbearing age.
• Lead is distributed throughout the body, including the brain, liver, kidneys, and bones. It is also stored in the teeth and bones, where it can accumulate over time. Human exposure is usually assessed by measuring lead in the blood.
• Lead in bone is released into the blood during pregnancy and becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus.
• No level of exposure to lead is known to be without harmful effects.
• Lead exposure is preventable.

With 2.4 million people calling Queens County home, countless homes, buildings, and other areas still contain lead-based paint, often under layers of newer paint, unless professionally de-leaded. Unfortunately, many New York residents and workers do not know they have been exposed until it is too late.

Our Queens lead poisoning attorneys have been at the forefront of this fight for over 25 years, tirelessly enforcing New York laws that allow victims of negligence to hold the responsible party liable for damages resulting from the preventable injuries and illnesses that result from the existence of lead in their homes and workplaces.

If you, your child, or another loved one has suffered from lead poisoning, contact our skilled Queens personal injury attorneys today to discuss your case and how the incident has impacted your life. Our law firm represents accident victims throughout New York City, including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx. We operate on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay our legal fees if we do not win your case. This is our promise to you.

What is Lead Poisoning, and Who Is Most Vulnerable to Its Exposure?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, lead is a naturally occurring metal that can cause adverse health effects. People are exposed to lead by eating lead paint chips, ingesting contaminated food or water, and breathing in lead dust.

The effects of lead poisoning can be permanent and disabling, and the most vulnerable New Yorkers who are exposed to higher levels of lead include, but are not limited to:

• Children from low-income households.
• Those who live in housing built before 1978.
• Children under six years.
• Immigrant and refugee children.
• Pregnant women.
• Workers renovating older homes or buildings.

Lead is highly toxic and can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, headaches, and more, even in small amounts. There are no safe levels of lead in the blood. If you, your child, or another loved one has contracted lead poisoning, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers in Queens today to discuss your claim during a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Ways Children & Adults Contract Lead Poisoning in Queens, New York?

At David Resnick & Associates, our lead poisoning attorneys in Queens know that children can be exposed to lead where they live, learn, and play. Adults can be exposed in their homes, apartments, public housing facilities, or where they work.

The World Health Organization reports sources of lead exposure can include the following:

• Chipping or peeling paint in homes or buildings built before 1978.
• Lead in drinking water from lead pipes.
• Lead in foods, cosmetics, and medicines.
• Lead in jobs, hobbies, and other activities.

• Lead in dust, soil, and air.
• Soil near airports, highways, or factories.
• Some imported candies and traditional medicines, toys, and jewelry.

Lead is a heavy metal often invisible, tasteless, and odorless in water, soil, and air. This makes it difficult for individuals to notice its presence without specialized equipment. In addition, the lead concentration can vary significantly within a single area or even within a single home.

Unfortunately, the harmful effects of lead can occur at deficient levels, often below the detection capability of non-professional or consumer-grade testing kits. If you or anyone in your home has been exposed to lead and suffered adverse health effects, contact our experienced lead poisoning attorneys in Queens to learn more about your legal rights and options to identify and pursue the liable party for your complete damage.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?

Lead poisoning can present a variety of signs and symptoms, which can vary depending on the level of exposure and the age of the affected individual.

Common signs and symptoms in children:

• Developmental Delay: Slower growth and development, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems such as irritability and hyperactivity.
• Cognitive Impairment: Reduced IQ, attention span issues, and poor academic performance.
• Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, and hearing loss.
• Neurological Symptoms: Seizures, clumsiness, or loss of previously acquired developmental skills.
• Anemia: Pale skin and fatigue due to low red blood cell count.

Common signs and symptoms in adults:

• Neurological Symptoms: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood disorders, and irritability.
• Muscle and Joint Pain: Weakness and pain in muscles and joints.
• Digestive Issues: Abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea.
• Reproductive Problems: In men, reduced sperm count and infertility; in women, miscarriage or premature birth.
• High Blood Pressure: Lead exposure can contribute to hypertension.
• Anemia: Similar to children, adults may also develop anemia.

Common signs and symptoms in those with Acute Lead Poisoning (High Exposure):

• Severe Abdominal Pain: Often described as “lead colic.”
• Encephalopathy: Severe brain dysfunction, including confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma.
• Kidney Dysfunction: Impaired kidney function can lead to further health complications.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: Tingling, numbness, and weakness, especially in the hands and feet.

Common signs and symptoms in those with Chronic Lead Poisoning (Low-Level, Long-Term Exposure):

• Subtle Cognitive Changes: Gradual decline in cognitive abilities and subtle mood changes.
• Persistent Fatigue: Ongoing tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Chronic stomach issues, including constipation and indigestion.

Common signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in pregnant women:

• Risk to Fetus: Lead can cross the placenta, potentially causing harm to the developing baby, including low birth weight, premature birth, and developmental delays.

Symptoms of lead poisoning can be non-specific and may be mistaken for other health issues. Because of this, blood tests are often necessary to confirm lead poisoning. Regular screening is crucial, especially in high-risk populations, such as children living in older homes with lead-based paint or adults working in industries with potential lead exposure.

If you suspect lead poisoning, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment. Then, contact our dedicated Queens lead poisoning attorney for help.

Our law firm can be instrumental in helping with your lead poisoning claim by navigating the complex legal landscape to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We will investigate the source of the lead exposure, gather crucial evidence, and work with medical experts to substantiate your health impacts.

We will also handle negotiations with insurance companies and responsible parties, ensuring your case is presented effectively and your rights are protected. By leveraging our over 25 years of experience in representing individuals and families in these critical cases, our Queens lead poisoning attorneys can help secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to lead poisoning, allowing you to focus on recovery.

Contact Our Skilled Queens Lead Poisoning Attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. to Help Build Your Case for Success

The David Resnick & Associates, P.C. legal team understands how lead poisoning can impact you and your family. We work hard to obtain the maximum damages you’re entitled to. We serve accident victims in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and New York City.

If you have questions about your lead poisoning claim, contact the New York law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., online or call us at 212-279-2000 today for a free consultation about your case.

There is never a charge to speak with our skilled lead poisoning attorneys in Queens. If your case qualifies to move forward, we will handle every aspect from start to finish without charging any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. You will pay nothing for our elite personal injury attorney services unless we win your case. That is a promise.