Blog

28

February

0

Comments

FOUR ESSENTIAL STEPS IF YOU SUSPECT LEAD POISONING

Posted by shark

inLegal Advice, Necessary Forms

Scientists say lead is a “neurotoxin.”  Literally, neurotoxin means “brain poison.”  The effects of lead on a growing child can be severe and permanent.  A child may consume lead in a number of ways, including exposure to lead-laced paint, paint chips, and paint dust.  Other sources may include water, soil, candies, jewelry, toys, cookware, cosmetics and traditional home remedies.  In Chicago alone, 1,000 children were diagnosed with lead poisoning last year and the State of Illinois has a higher percentage of lead poisoning cases than any other state in the Union.  If you suspect that your child may have been exposed to lead, take the following steps immediately:

1.      See a doctor

Frequently, lead poisoning is not discovered until a child is taken to the hospital for a wellness check.  However, if you suspect lead poisoning in your child, you should see a doctor immediately. The symptoms of lead poisoning include:

  1. Abdominal pain and cramping;
  2. Aggressive behavior;
  3. Anemia (insufficient red blood cells);
  4. Constipation;
  5. Trouble sleeping;
  6. Headaches;
  7. Irritability;
  8. Loss of previous developmental skills;
  9. Low appetite and energy;
  10. Reduced sensations.

Note: very high levels of lead may cause vomiting, staggering walk, muscle weakness, seizures and coma.

Treatments for lead poisoning are available, but the damage is often permanent.  As a result, the sooner you get to a doctor, the better.

2.      Contact your municipality

Most local municipalities have a municipal department that oversees lead inspection and removal.  In Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health oversees lead-related issues.  You can reach them at 312.747.9884 or by calling 311.  The municipality will likely send an inspector to inspect the property for lead.  Depending on the results of the inspection, the municipality may order remediation, during which you will likely be unable to inhabit the property.

3.      Find alternative housing

It is very likely that, if your apartment is found to contain lead paint, the municipality will order immediate remediation.  In the meantime, you should consider finding an alternative living situation.  If remediation is not available or delayed, you should consider finding a new living arrangement permanently.

4.      Talk to a lawyer

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury, your family may be entitled to compensation.  Talk to a local attorney who is familiar with state and local laws and regulations involving lead and lead poisoning.  Lead poisoning cases involve a lot of specialized science and you should seek out an attorney who has experience with these type of cases.

You can find more information at the following sites:

Lead Safe Illinois

Illinois Department of Public Health

Chicago Department of Public Health

View our previous blog post, 6 Key Tips to Avoiding Winter Auto Accidents


contact us

free consultation




Recent Posts


Chicago Legal Community Coming Together to Help Families at Border

June 27, 2018

While the United States-Mexico border might be thousands of miles from Chicago, the topic of immigration is one that hits close to home for Chicagoans. Last week, news broke that families were being separated at the Southern border. Children as...

LimeBike Coming to Chicago

June 14, 2018

Chicago is no stranger to test piloting new convenience based start-up companies. From being one of the first cities to use food delivery services like Grubhub and 24/7 laundry lockers like Pressbox, Chicagoans have shown huge interest in these new...

Supreme Court Declares Sports Betting Legal

June 6, 2018

A recent decision by the Supreme Court means that sports fans will now have more opportunities to place legal bets on sports teams. On Monday, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to end a 1992 law that deemed sports betting illegal...

A More Detailed Look at Our Case Against General Motors

May 17, 2018

This an an excerpt from the document, "Memorandum Opinion Enforcing Provisions of Sale Order With Respect to the Moore, Et Al. Plaintiffs". This dispute involves allegedly contaminated groundwater that migrated from property previously owned until July 2009 by General Motors...

Uber Changes Legal Process for Sexual Assault Victims

May 16, 2018

Uber has announced its plans to change the legal process for sexual assault victims involving employees, drivers, and other riders. Before Tuesday, anybody that alleged sexual assault involving somebody related to Uber, were subject to a lengthy legal process. CNN...

Jalopnik.com Details Our Case Against General Motors

May 8, 2018

Check out our recent mention in an article about a case we've taken on against General Motors. Click this link to read the full story.

3 Tips on How to Avoid Letting Social Media Affect Your Case

May 8, 2018

Today, virtually everybody has an online presence. From Facebook, to Twitter, to Snapchat, social media has become a core part of our lives. People can use these platforms to document every second of their life, from who they’re with, to...

Why Maximum Coverage Car Insurance Is Necessary

May 1, 2018

Uninsured motorists are more common than you think. According to a 2016 study, 13.7% of Illinois drivers, or about 1 in 8, were uninsured, ranking the state 18th for most uninsured motorists. Not only are uninsured motorists a threat to...

Surprising Number of Hazards in Your Own Office

April 24, 2018

Office workers are exposed to more hazards than one might think. Workplace hazards come in many forms including slip-and-fall accidents, ergonomic hazards, poor indoor air quality, electrical fires, as well as many other dangers. It was reported in 2016 that...

Distracted Driving: When the Workplace Demands It

April 18, 2018

Intense work load in the office can lead to distraction in your personal life. Often, when the workplace demands attention outside of work hours, this can take shape in the form of distracted driving. Employees can frequently find themselves using...