Most people in Huntington Beach are aware that lead poisoning was a real issue in the 1970s and 1980s. While the many awareness campaigns over the last several years have certainly done a lot of good, they have also caused some people to believe that lead poisoning no longer poses a threat today. Unfortunately, that is untrue. People only learn of the dangers of lead poisoning once their child starts presenting symptoms. People have lived in Huntington Beach for over a century, but laws were only passed on the use of lead-based paint in 1978. As such, there are still many people in the city who suffer from lead poisoning. If your child’s health or development has suffered due to exposure, it is critical that you speak with a Huntington Beach lead poisoning lawyer today.
What Is Lead Poisoning?Lead is a toxic chemical but the body does not recognize it as a harmful substance. As such, when it is inhaled or ingested, it passes through the bloodstream, reaching every area of the body. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning because it is absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract more easily in children than it is in adults. Children are also more likely to put their hands in their mouth, and less likely to engage in proper hygiene, including hand washing.
Property owners have a legal obligation to inform potential buyers and renters of any presence of lead within a premises. Unfortunately, they often fail to do this because they want to rent or sell a property and make more profit. Disclosing the presence of lead could potentially result in someone choosing to purchase or rent another property and owners often do not want to risk it. If any property owner has prioritized their own interests over your health and well-being, it is important to speak to a Huntington Beach lead poisoning attorney who can help you claim the damages that are rightfully yours.
How Does Lead Exposure in Children Happen?Anyone can suffer harm when they are exposed to lead, but children are particularly vulnerable. When a home contains lead-based paint, it starts to flake as it ages and children then play with them or even put them in their mouths. Even when the paint is not directly placed into the mouth, a child’s hands may be, which can transfer the lead from the paint to the bloodstream. Lead-based paint also deteriorates and when it does, turns to dust, which is then inhaled.
Regardless of how a child consumed lead, the cause is usually the negligence of another person. There are many state and federal laws that not only ban lead-based paint, but that also require landlords and home sellers to disclose the presence of lead on the premises. When they fail to do so, they are considered negligent and can be held liable for paying full damages.
Call Our Lead Poisoning Lawyer in Huntington Beach for Legal AdviceIf you or your child has suffered from exposure, our lead poisoning attorney in Huntington Beach at Brod Law Firm can help. Our seasoned attorney knows how to determine who is to blame for the injury, and how to hold them accountable for paying the maximum financial compensation that is justly yours. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation.