Boston Injury Attorneys/Lead Paint

The most common sources of lead are deteriorating lead-based paint, lead dust and residential soil that has been contaminated with lead. Lead may also enter drinking water through plumbing and can cause a wide range of medical issues, including learning disabilities, stunted growth, delayed development, seizure and death.

The Boston Injury Lawyers at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman represent clients who are dealing with the consequences of exposure to lead paint. Those at particularly high-risk include low-income families living in older residential buildings, where lead paint was used until being outlawed in 1978.

Unfortunately, state and local inspection programs are frequently insufficient to protect the public in large urban areas like Boston and New York, where residents of older building are at particularly high risk. New York City is dealing with a scandal in which hundreds of building inspections were forged by dishonest inspectors, leaving residents at possible risk for lead poisoning.

Residents with small children should take advantage of periodic screening programs offered by local health departments. Children should be tested regularly. Early symptoms can be confused with other illnesses and may include tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, reduced attention span, insomnia and constipation.

While lead poisoning is currently defined as having a blood level above 10 micrograms per deciliter, lead poisoning may occur at lower levels and federal agencies continue to consider adopting lower levels, though inaction is the current norm.

One misconception is that children are usually poisoned by eating paint chips. While this can certainly result in lead poisoning, children are more commonly poisoned by breathing lead dust that lingers in the air of older buildings.

Those who believe they may be exposed can also purchase home-test kits to test paint chips in their building.

If you are dealing with a case of lead poisoning in Massachusetts, please contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your concerns. Our investigators will assist in determining your level of exposure and the best course of action to protect you and your family.