Berkeley Lead Poisoning Lawyer
The city of Berkeley has existed since the late 1800s. It really started growing between 1900 and 1910, when the population tripled to over 40,000 residents. During that time, Berkeley was the fourth-fastest growing city in the United States, and by the end of that decade, it was the fifth-largest city in California. During this time, it was not uncommon for lead to be used in the construction of homes and businesses. Lead was used in paint, plumbing systems, and even in food and drink containers. Today, much of that lead still exists, and when people, particularly children, consume it, the damage can be catastrophic. Landlords and property owners in Berkeley have a legal duty to make sure their premises are safe and that they do not contain lead. When there is any presence of lead on the premises, the property owner is required to provide full disclosure of that fact before anyone moves in or uses the property. If property owners fail to do this, they are negligent and can be held accountable for paying damages with the help of a Berkeley lead poisoning lawyer.
Who Suffers the Most From Lead Poisoning?Lead is a metal, and it is toxic for anyone who ingests, inhales, or otherwise consumes it. The body does not identify lead as being toxic and so, it distributes it throughout the entire bloodstream. While anyone can suffer serious damage after consuming lead, there are some that are much more at risk than others. These groups are as follows:
- Children: There are many different ways children are exposed to lead. They may come into contact with contaminated soil, they might play with toys that contain lead, they may play with flakes of paint that contain lead, and they may drink from plumbing systems that contain lead. Children who are exposed to lead may have lower IQs, developmental delays, and suffer from stunted growth.
- Pregnant women: When a pregnant woman consumes lead, it will travel to the uterus because the body does not recognize that it is toxic. This can have devastating results, including miscarriage.
- Industrial workers: Mechanics, chemical workers, painters, and lead smelters are all at an increased risk of lead exposure due to the nature of their employment.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to lead, reach out to a lead poisoning attorney in Berkeley for guidance.
Common Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in ChildrenOf all the people who are at risk of suffering from lead poisoning, children are by far the most vulnerable. Due to this, all parents should know the most common symptoms to look for, which include the following:
- Behavioral issues
- Pains in the abdomen or head
- A loss of bone or muscle growth
- Constipation
- Hyperactivity
- Hearing loss
- Seizures
- Learning disabilities
- Kidney damage
- Irritability
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
Lead poisoning can be diagnosed by a simple blood test. If your child is diagnosed with the condition and someone else is at fault, you can file a claim against them to obtain damages for all of your family’s losses due to the exposure.
Our Lead Poisoning Lawyer in Berkeley Will Fight for Your FamilyAt Brod Law Firm, our Berkeley lead poisoning attorney has seen the devastating effects of lead exposure and can help your family claim the full and fair damages you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.