www.charlesjeromeware.com "Here to make a Difference."
The Maryland-based national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, LLC is renowned for its successful legal defense representation of landlords and landowners who are being sued for lead paint poisoning.
For an initial courtesy consultation, contact the firm at (410) 720-6129 or (410) 730-5016. We can help you.
Excessive exposure to lead (Pb) can lead to a variety of health effects; and this exposure can be particularly toxic to young children.
Lead is a malleable and utilitarian heavy metal (Atomic Number 82) that has been mined and used in so-called civilized societies and cultures for various utilitarian purposes for over 6,000 years [since about 4,000 B.C.]. It does not dissolve in water, decay, dissipate, nor burn. Lead as a metal just lasts, and lasts, and lasts. As a result of its lasting power, lead can be found virtually everywhere in the modern world: in the air we breathe, in the water we drink and use, and in the substances we inhale and ingest. Despite its image in some major metropolitan areas such as Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, New Your and Boston, etc., lead is NOT just restricted to the paint used in pre-1978 built apartments and houses.
However, since most toxic lead claims are filed alleging health-related illnesses in these geographic areas, supra, residential unit landlords should be aware of some fundamental tips for avoiding residential toxic lead paint liability.
Development of residential lead paint defenses begins when the landlord or landowner purchases the rental property. Good maintenance of the rental property, adequate notice to the tenants, and good record keeping/documentation are paramount to successful avoidance of, and prevailing in, lead paint claims and lawsuits.
At a minimum, the following are documents for the landlord to maintain for each tenant and each pre-1978 built residential unit, among others:
1. Tenant files.
2. Records complaints.
3. Property repair records.
4. Maintenance records (including painting and sheetrocking,etc.).
5. Names of vendors (workers ,etc.).
6. Names of any entities retained to insure compliance with federal, state and local laws.
7. Names of persons responsible for repair and maintenance of the rental units.
8. Lead abatement records.
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