The Dangers of Lead Paint Exposure in Brunswick Georgia
In a city as old as Brunswick, Georgia which was settled in 1738, there are hundreds of older buildings. What many people fail to realize is that these structures – beautiful as they often are – can be hazardous to human health. In fact, as a Brunswick GA persona injury lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand that buildings does not have to be all that old to contain possible dangerous substances.
Even modern products can contain lead. As recently as October 2015, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled children’s water bottles sold by Pottery Barn due to lead contamination.
Does Your Brunswick Georgia House Contain Lead?
If your home or apartment was built prior to 1978, it’s important to determine whether the paint inside contains lead. Structures built even just a couple of decades ago are frequently filled with lead paint and other dangerous materials. Lead paint exposure can cause serious health problems such as anemia, headaches, irritability, insomnia, and even learning disabilities in children. Low-quality construction, poor renovations, and lack of maintenance – all of these situations have been linked to the presence of lead paint.
In older structures, peeling and chipping paint can contain lead. This is particularly troubling, as young children have been known to put these pieces in their mouths. Also, many people unknowingly release lead particles into the air while sanding lead paint or using chemicals to strip it from a surface. The building’s occupants inhale these particles without ever knowing they are ingesting lead.
Lead Paint Disclosures in Brunswick GA Required by HUD
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires sellers, owners, and landlords to warn people about the possibility of lead in any building constructed before 1978, whether it’s a home, office, apartment, or other structure.
HUD and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require owners, landlords, and sellers to comply with several requirements in addition to disclosing the presence of lead paint if they know it’s in a building. Owners, landlords, and sellers must provide potential occupants with an EPA-approved pamphlet on the dangers of lead. Furthermore, they must include a Lead Warning Statement on all contracts and lease agreements. Finally, they must provide potential occupants with any reports or records regarding lead in the building.
If you suspect you or someone you love has been harmed by lead paint, don’t wait – contact a Brunswick GA personal injury lawyer right away. There are also readily available and inexpensive lead test kits that can confirm the presence of lead in a structure.
Brunswick, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your physical pain, financial losses, and other damages. A Brunswick GA personal injury lawyer can help. Whatever you’re facing, I can help. Contact my office today at (912) 265-9811 to discuss your case.
This blog is for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney or law firm. The blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.