Lead Poisoning Lawsuits in Michigan: Landlord and Property Owner Liability
Lead poisoning is a silent crisis in Michigan, particularly in older housing stock throughout Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and other cities with pre-1978 buildings. Children are the most vulnerable victims, suffering irreversible neurological damage from lead exposure. Michigan law holds landlords and property owners accountable when they fail to address known lead hazards.
Michigan's Lead Abatement Laws
Michigan's Lead Abatement Act (MCL § 333.5451 et seq.) and federal HUD regulations require landlords to disclose known lead hazards, test for lead when tenants include young children, and remediate lead paint and lead-contaminated surfaces. Landlords who fail to comply face civil liability for injuries caused by lead exposure. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tracks elevated blood lead levels and can provide evidence supporting your claim.
Injuries from Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning in children causes permanent brain damage, reduced IQ, learning disabilities, behavioral problems including ADHD, hearing loss, and developmental delays. These injuries are irreversible and affect the child's entire life — including their future earning capacity, educational attainment, and quality of life. Adult lead exposure can cause kidney damage, neurological problems, and reproductive harm. The lifetime cost of caring for a lead-poisoned child can be enormous.
Who Is Liable?
Liable parties in lead poisoning cases may include the current landlord, previous property owners who failed to disclose or remediate lead, property management companies, renovation contractors who disturbed lead paint without proper containment, and in some cases, government entities responsible for lead-contaminated water (as in Flint). Toxic exposure claims and premises liability theories both apply.
Child exposed to lead? Call Koussan Law at (313) 800-0000 or use our case calculator.
