LEAD PAINT LEGAL DEFENSE FOR BEGINNERS - D.C., BALTIMORE & MARYLAND

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The premier national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, LLC is Maryland and D.C.-based and ranked by its many satisfied landlord clients as well as its legal peers as one of the top lead paint and lead poisoning defense law firms in the United States. For an initial courtesy consultation, contact premier defense attorney Charles Ware at (410) 720-6129.


In certain residential neighborhoods in D.C, Baltimore and throughout Maryland, among others, lead poisoning is correctly considered a public health crisis. However, even though there are numerous sources of toxic lead (Pb) that can be inhaled or ingested in these areas by humans, the primary targets for claims and litigation  continue to be landowners and landlords of pre-1978 built residences (including apartments and houses) The reason for this  is that these older residences were generally the prolific recipients of lead-based paint for both inside and outside surfaces. Until banned completely in Baltimore in 1966 in residences, and banned by the Federal government for use in all residences and many consumer products in 1978, lead paint was extremely popular and accepted for its durability and washability.


Lead paint when "uninterrupted" (not chipped, cracked, dust,etc.) is not considered harmful to the human body.  It is when lead paint is "interrupted" (cracked, chipped, in dust form, etc.) and inhaled or ingested by humans that it can be harmful to the body. This is particularly true for children under the age of 6.


I always advise my landlord clients that three keys are important in avoiding  and surviving  lead lawsuits : (1) Good MAINTENANCE of the property by lead-certified or accredited workers; (2) Proper NOTICE to tenants living in the property; and (3) good DOCUMENTATION/RECORD-KEEPING on the tenants as well as the property.


As I stated above, there are numerous sources of toxic lead in these areas besides just lead paint; such as : (1) the air we breathe and the dust in it; (2) the water we drink, bathe, cook with, and wash our clothes in; (3) soil, playgrounds, grass, plants, trees, vegetables, etc.; (4) many foreign-made consumer products such as toys, candies, furniture jewelry,cosmetics, home and folk remedies; (5)jobs and job sites; (6) industrial sites; (7) commercial buildings; (8) automobile repair shops and battery disposal areas; (9) pipes and other plumbing items; and (10) many other products and sources.