Has Your Child Been Exposed to Lead in Your Apartment?
The diseases caused by lead poisoning are both severe and entirely preventable. In a rental property, the person who is in the best position to avoid lead exposure is the landlord. That is why landlords have such strong legal responsibilities when it comes to lead in their properties.
At the Law Offices of Charles N. Rock in New York, we represent clients throughout the northeast U.S. seeking to hold landlords accountable for lead paint in rental properties. Contact us for a free consultation with experienced personal injury lawyer Charles Rock.
Understanding Why Landlords Have Such Strong Responsibilities
When a landlord buys a rental property with lead paint, he or she is in the best position to have notice of that danger. Landlords must be familiar with the signs of potential lead hazards. For instance, in New York — outside New York City — landlords are presumed to know of a lead hazard if:
- There is a child six or younger living in the apartment.
- The building was built before 1960.
- The apartment has cracked or peeling paint.
- The landlord has a right under the lease to enter the apartment for maintenance.
In New York City, the administrative code gives landlords specific responsibilities with regard to lead paint and lead abatement in multiple dwelling rental properties. Different legal standards apply in a different locations, but landlords are generally responsible in some way for being aware of lead hazards.
Pursuing Compensation From Negligent Property Owners
Attorney Charles Rock and our team have strong experience holding landlords accountable for the effects of lead paint exposure in their rental properties. We will identify the specific legal responsibilities landlords have in your area and how your landlord violated those responsibilities.
We have helped many clients obtain money damages to compensate them for lead poisoning. Don't hesitate to contact us to learn what we can do to pursue justice and accountability in your case.
