Berkeley Childhood Lead Poisoning Lawyer

Although there have been many awareness campaigns over the past several decades regarding the risks of lead exposure, it is still a serious problem in Berkeley and throughout California. Lead exposure is dangerous for people of any age, but children are particularly vulnerable and suffer the greatest amount of harm. Lead exposure in children is typically not detected until their one-year doctor’s appointment. As a child ages, they may start to exhibit signs of a lower IQ by the time they enter Grade 6 or 7. Nearly 50 years ago, federal legislators started enacting laws to protect the public and to reduce the rates of childhood lead poisoning. Unfortunately, people do not always comply with these laws. When this is the case and a child suffers harm, the negligent or reckless party can be held liable. Our Berkeley childhood lead poisoning lawyer can guide you through the process and help you obtain the maximum damages your family is entitled to.

Common Childhood Lead Poisoning Symptoms

Fortunately, childhood lead poisoning is not as prevalent as it once was, but that does not mean the problem has been eliminated completely. It is still critical for all parents to understand the common signs of lead poisoning so they can identify if their child starts exhibiting them. There are many common signs of childhood lead poisoning, but the most common are as follows:

• Behavioral issues
• Delayed puberty
• Speech and language development delays
• Cognitive defects
• Lower IQ
• Learning difficulties
• ADHD
• Hearing loss
• Juvenile aggression
• Autism
• Seizures

The most frustrating aspect of childhood lead poisoning for parents is often that it is entirely preventable. It only becomes a problem when previous home owners, landlords, and others are negligent and do not comply with the law.

If your child has started to exhibit signs of lead poisoning, you should seek medical attention for them as soon as possible. Lead poisoning is not reversible, but there are treatments available that can lower lead levels in the blood. You should then contact a Berkeley childhood lead poisoning attorney who can advise on whether you can file a claim.

How Do Children Develop Lead Poisoning?

The most common cause of childhood lead poisoning is lead-based paint found in homes. A federal ban was placed on lead-based paint in 1978, but it is still found in many homes in Berkeley. As this paint ages, it flakes and falls from the walls. Children often then play with the flaked paint and may even put it in their mouths, ingesting lead as they do. Even if a child does not place the paint flakes in their mouth, they may still put their hands in their mouth after playing with the chipped paint.

Paint chips can also fall from the exterior of a home and contaminate the soil. If children play in this area, they can then develop lead poisoning.

Call Our Childhood Lead Poisoning Lawyer in Berkeley Today

If your child has developed the symptoms of lead poisoning due to another person’s negligence, you need legal help. At Brod Law Firm, our childhood lead poisoning attorney in Berkeley can provide it and help you and your family make things right. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case review and to learn more about how we can help.