The majority of the public is aware that lead poisoning was a great concern in the 1970s and 1980s. Unfortunately, due to increased awareness campaigns and new laws being passed, people think it is no longer a threat today. It is only when an individual or their child starts showing signs of lead exposure that people realize lead poisoning is still a very real possibility. If you believe you or your child has suffered from exposure, our Santa Monica lead poisoning lawyer can help you claim the damages you deserve.
What are the Dangers of Lead Poisoning?Lead poisoning is extremely dangerous for anyone who is exposed to the chemical, but it poses a significant risk to children especially. Children often engage in more hand-to-mouth behavior, which means they are more likely to consume lead than adults. The body also does not identify lead as a threat and so, it absorbs it into the bloodstream. In children, lead is efficiently absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, which is another reason children are more vulnerable.
Making things even more dangerous is the fact that lead poisoning generally does not show up in children until their first birthday. That means that a child could continue inhaling and consuming lead for an entire year before it is found. By the time an affected child reaches middle school, they may have a lower IQ than other children of the same age and they may also show development delays. If you suspect that you or your children have been exposed to lead, reach out to a lead poisoning attorney in Santa Monica right away.
How Do Children Become Exposed to Lead?In the majority of cases, children become exposed to lead as a result of living or spending time in a home that contains lead-based paint.
Children can easily come into contact with lead-based paint. Paint flakes may fall to the ground and children may then play with them, and even place them in their mouths, consuming it as they do. Lead-based paint also tends to generate dust as it deteriorates and that dust then goes into the air, where it is inhaled by everyone in the home. Flakes of lead paint also often fall to the ground, where the lead can leach into the groundwater, exposing anyone who has access to the water supply.
Regardless of how a child was exposed to lead, it is usually a result of someone else’s negligence. There are many laws today that try to prevent even more people from becoming exposed to lead, but not everyone complies with the law. Paint manufacturers, for example, are required to inform consumers when their product contains lead. Landlords must inform tenants of the presence of lead on properties, as are homeowners when they sell a house. Any time any of these parties act carelessly and someone becomes hurt, they can be held liable.
Call Our Lead Poisoning Lawyer in Santa Monica TodayIf you or your child has been exposed to lead, let our Santa Monica lead poisoning attorney at Brod Law Firm review your case today. Attorney Brod knows how to determine who is liable for the damage caused by lead exposure and will hold them accountable for paying the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.