What are the Medical Costs for Treating Lead Paint Poisoning?

With so many old houses in the Baltimore area and around Maryland, there is a significant risk for exposure to lead-based paint. Much like asbestos, when lead paint is disturbed, it can chip away and become airborne. You could easily breathe this in and suffer lead paint poisoning.

While there are treatments available, they could quickly become very expensive. Below, our Maryland lead paint poisoning attorneys discuss these treatments. If you were exposed to lead paint through no fault of your own, the negligent party that failed to address the issue should be held accountable. You could be eligible for compensation to help address your medical issues and other damages.

While compensation cannot change what happened, and medical treatment may never completely repair the damage done to you, recovering compensation can still be an important step. A settlement or jury verdict can help prevent a medical crisis from turning into a financial one as well.

Medical and Behavioral Issues Associated with Lead Poisoning

While some toxins may mostly cause a physical reaction, lead can cause significant neurological damage, particularly at higher levels of exposure. However, children can suffer significant neurological damage even at lower levels of exposure.

Lead poisoning may also result in the following injuries/disorders:

With a physical injury, it may be possible to do surgery and make it much more manageable. However, neurological and behavioral disorders may never be completely healed. It may take continuous treatment, such as with medication and counseling. You or your child may need to have regular appointments with specialists and undergo testing to determine if your condition has improved, worsened or stayed the same.

When lead poisoning is diagnosed, one of the first things doctors may look to do is take steps to remove lead from your body. For example, they may prescribe something called chelation therapy. Patients are given a medication that binds to the lead in the body and allows it to be excreted through the urine. This treatment is often used on children who have a blood-lead level of 45 mcg/dL or higher. Doctors may also use this treatment on adults who have a significant amount of lead in their system or are exhibiting symptoms of lead poisoning.

There is another type of chelation therapy that is administered intravenously. It is called EDTA chelation therapy and it is for children who cannot tolerate the drug used in regular chelation therapy or for adults with a blood-lead level of more than 45 mcg/dL.

Is There any Research on the Costs of Lead Paint Poisoning Treatment?

There is a growing body of literature about the costs of lead paint poisoning and the cost of treating the medical problems that may result. There are approximately 300,000 cases of lead-linked ADHD among children between the ages of four and 15.

According to a research paper published in 2009, the cost of treating lead-linked ADHD may be more than $250 million for society. The cost of medication and counseling to treat this disorder may be as much as $18 million annually. This not only includes the cost of medical treatment but the cost of missed time at work for parents of children with lead poisoning. However, the research paper notes these are conservative estimates, and the total cost could be higher.

Are You a Victim of Lead Paint Poisoning? Schedule a Free Consultation

At The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl, we charge no upfront fees for meeting with a lawyer. The initial consultation is free and there are no fees while working on your case. There is no risk in meeting with us to learn how we may be able to assist you.

Our firm has obtained millions on behalf of victims of lead paint poisoning. This includes a verdict of $3 million for a 19-year-old woman who was exposed to lead paint as a child.

We are ready to help you seek compensation. Call 410-907-3957.