Lead Poisoning Can Cause Major Harm to Children
The lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau stand with the families of Daytona Beach. After serious injuries that affect children and minors, parents in our community know that they can count on our law firm for strong legal counsel.
Serious child injuries come in many forms, and perhaps the most tragic form is lead exposure. We've had a major crisis in an American city that has called attention to the dangers of lead, and we want to bring additional attention to this matter and what your legal options might be if you face an issue involving lead exposure.
The Flint Water Crisis
One of the reasons that lead poisoning is back in the national conversation is the ongoing tragedy in Flint, Michigan. The Flint water crisis made national headlines this year when it was discovered that the drinking water for the city contained extremely high levels of lead. This was the result in a change in the city's water source to the Flint River. The corrosive water from the Flint River caused lead from old pipes to get into the water supply.
Studies found that drinking water in lead was unsafe, with samples containing more than 100 parts per billion (ppb) of lead. For scale, the Environmental Protection Agency says safe drinking water should not exceed 15 ppb when it comes to lead content.
An estimated 6,000 to 12,000 children in Flint have been exposed to lead in high doses, which can have lifelong repercussions for these young victims.
Causes of Lead Poisoning
The most common causes of lead poisoning include:
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Water – As noted above, old pipes can potentially release lead into the water supply if they are corroded, which can pose major dangers when ingested.
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Paint – Even though the United State banned the use of lead-based paints in 1978, old homes still contain lead paint that may not have been covered for safety. Children can potentially ingest chips of lead-based paint and cause serious harm to themselves in the process.
Because children are still growing and are much smaller than adults, the effects of lead exposure and lead poisoning on a child can be much more severe, especially when you consider the long-term toll lead can take on the brain.
The Effects of Lead on Children
Lead poisoning can have major effects on child development and learning. As lead spread through the bloodstream, it can cause a number of issues with psychological and physical development:
- Low development of normal childhood behaviors
- Problems with speech and language
- Problems with muscle coordination
- Problems with bone growth
- Problems with muscle growth
- Kidney damage
- Seizures
Given all of the challenges a child will face throughout his or her life following lead exposure, it's important that negligent parties be held accountable if they are responsible for causing harm.
Our Attorneys Will Stand with You
If your children have been exposed to lead, our lawyers will stand with your family to hold the negligent parties accountable. If it was a landlord or property owner who was responsible, we will seek damages to help address the long-term hardships ahead. If a city or city official's negligence led to massive lead dangers, we will similarly fight diligently for you and your loved ones, as well as the countless others who may have been affected.
Speak with the Attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau
For more information about your legal rights after one of your children has been seriously injured, it's of the utmost importance that you contact our team of persona injury attorneys today. The lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau and here to help you in your quest for justice.
