www.charlesjeromeware.com "Here to make a difference."
The metropolitan Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas of the United States are considered by many to be "ground zero" for residential rental lead paint poisoning cases. These heavily-populated metropolitan centers include Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston, among others.
The reasons for this lead (Pb) concentration are several : the heavy concentration of pre-1978 built apartments and houses that were originally lead-based painted both inside and out; the heavy use of lead (Pb) in factories which abounded in these areas; the continued use of lead pipes, plumbing and water-containing utensils; and, of course, the extensive use of lead in government and commercial buildings, inter alia.
Unfortunately, since commercial paint manufacturers and the government have failed to come forward and assume an acceptable level of responsibility for medical and social injuries that have
occurred as a result of lead ingestion, the vast majority of these claims for lead -based paint damages are being brought against residential rental landlords; most of whom are the least prepared to handle these private and governmental lawsuits against them.
Too many new potential landlords do not engage in the necessary due diligence (research) before purchasing these pre-1978 built properties. The vast majority of already have some lead(Pb) in them; and many have never undergone lead remediation or even certified lead inspection. Simply, they do not know what they are getting into when they purchase the property and become the landlord for it.
Preparation, maintenance, notice and record-keeping are key points to always remember if you are a residential rental landlord for pre-1978 built properties in these metropolitan areas --- or desire to be.
[ Charles Jerome Ware is a veteran landlord lead paint defense based in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He can be reached at (410) 720-6129 or (410) 730-5016.]
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