The Frankel Law Firm announced that a childhood lead poisoning lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County, has been settled for $1.75 million.
The settlement compensates two young sisters who suffered lead poisoning and resulting developmental injuries after chronic exposure to lead-based paint hazards in their Bronx residential apartment.
This settlement ensures that two children whose early development was disrupted by entirely preventable landlord negligence will have the resources necessary to access specialized education, medical care and support services.
The infant plaintiffs were exposed to dangerous levels of lead paint in their home when they were just three and two years old, resulting in blood lead levels reaching 21 and 6 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL)—six times and nearly twice the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s reference level of 3.5 µg/dL, respectively. Both children sustained developmental delays and will require special educational support.
The lawsuit alleged that the property owner negligently maintained the residential premises and failed to comply with New York City’s Local Law 1 of 2004, which mandates strict protocols for investigating and remediating lead-based paint hazards in residential buildings where young children reside. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issued a violation documenting the presence of lead paint hazards in the apartment, establishing the defendant’s failure to maintain safe living conditions.
“This settlement represents justice for two sisters whose early childhoods were marked by preventable lead exposure,” said Reuven Frankel, an attorney for the plaintiffs. “Landlords have a legal and moral obligation to maintain safe, lead-free homes for families with young children. When they fail to do so, they must be held accountable.”
The case was resolved through extensive negotiations at private mediation.
Lead poisoning remains a persistent public health crisis in New York City, particularly affecting children in older housing stock. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause irreversible developmental delays, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and other serious health consequences. The settlement will provide necessary resources for the children’s ongoing medical care, educational support and future needs stemming from the lead-induced injuries.
Parents Should Watch for These Warning Signs: Lead poisoning often goes undetected because symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions. Parents should be alert to developmental delays, difficulty concentrating, learning problems, irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and abdominal pain.
