BALT. LANDLORD DEFENSE LEAD-PAINT CASE RISK ASSESSMENT

www.CharlesJeromeWare.com.  "Here to make a difference."

Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys & Counselors, LLC, is the premier Maryland-based national lead-paint poisoning defense law firm.  If you are being sued in a lead-paint poisoning case, contact us at charlesjeromeware@msn.com, (410) 730-5016 or (410) 720-6129.

There are numerous risk factors that landlords in Baltimore, Maryland should be aware of in assessing whether they could be sued for lead-paint poisoning.  Just a few are as follows:

1. If your residential rental unit was built before 1978 you are at risk of a lead poisoning law suit.
2. Assuming 1, supra, if an infant or child (5 years old or less) either lived or visited the residential unit during your ownership term, you are at risk of a lead poisoning lawsuit.
3. If your unit was not "lead certified" during your ownership period, you are at risk of a lead poisoning lawsuit.
4. If other residential units on your block or in your vicinity have experienced lead-paint poisoning lawsuits, you too are at risk of being sued.
5. If your residential unit was not/is not well-maintained, you are at risk of a lead poisoning lawsuit.

Maintenance is key in preventing residential lead poisoning.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly stated that "undisturbed" lead paint is not a health hazard, per se.  It is when lead paint is "disturbed" (i.e., chipped, peeled, scratched, cut, dust, etc.) that it can be dangerous.  <more to come>

[http://www2.epa.gov/lead/evaluating-and-eliminating-lead-basedpainthazards; http://www2.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family]