If you have a child who ingested lead, you may notice symptoms of lead poisoning. Sometimes, it can take many years before these signs become noticeable.
While some places, like Western Youth Services, can provide therapies your child needs, in reality, the effects of lead poisoning are irreversible. This does not mean you should give up, but it does mean that you and your child might have a long road ahead to develop coping mechanisms that will allow him or her to lead a productive and fulfilling life.
These therapies often come with a large price tag that make them difficult to afford. But, if your child was exposed to lead because of your South Los Angeles landlord’s failure to provide a safe living environment, then you might be able to file a claim for damages.
In other words, you should fight for the treatment your child needs as a result of lead poisoning. It will be important to learn more about the symptoms and treatment of lead poisoning.
Symptoms of Irreversible Lead Poisoning
Some of the most common symptoms of lead poisoning include:
- abdominal pain
- cramps
- aggressive behavior
- headaches
- sleep problems
- irritability
Your child might also display other signs such as fatigue, high blood pressure and even kidney dysfunction.
Intellectual disabilities
Since a child’s brain is not fully developed, exposure to lead can cause development issues. For example, lead poisoning can cause a child to have a low Intelligence Quotient (IQ), perform poorly at school or suffer from short- and long-term learning problems.
You may also notice that your child has a hearing problem, is not growing properly or is expressing behavioral issues.
Treatment for Irreversible Lead Poisoning
The first thing you should do if you suspect lead poisoning is to locate and remove all lead sources that might have caused the problem. If your child’s exposure is severe enough, your doctor might recommend chelation therapy. This procedure will cause the lead to bind together and then the body will expel it through urination.
Activated charcoal might be an option for less severe cases. It will cause the lead in the gastrointestinal tract to bind and leave through defecation. Unfortunately, if the exposure was long-term or chronic, some of the physical and mental effects may be permanent.
Contact a Lead Poisoning Lawyer
If your child is suffering from lead poisoning, it is vital to remember that you have options. You can pursue a claim against your landlord for not providing safe living conditions and fight for the compensation your child deserves.
Contact the lead poisoning lawyers at Riley | Ersoff LLP today by calling us at (888)495-9272 or contacting us online for a free consultation.