While lead paint can lead to serious health issues, its presence does not necessarily present grounds for a lead poisoning lawsuit. In order to have a valid claim, individuals must show that their landlord and/or building owner failed to comply with New York laws regarding lead paint. In New York, landlords who are the owners of buildings containing 3 or more units are required to take certain steps to keep their tenants safe. The law includes repainting all occupied apartments every 3 years, inspecting all buildings built prior to 1960 for lead-based paint and inspecting buildings where a child younger than 7 years old resides. When a landlord fails in these responsibilities, they may be liable for any injury or sickness caused by lead paint. A landlord's negligence, however, is not necessarily grounds for a lead poisoning lawsuit. While negligence is an essential component of a valid lead poisoning lawsuit, it is not the only factor. In order to have a valid case, your lead poisoning attorney must also be able to prove that lead paint was directly responsible for the victim’s ailment. Furthermore, your lead poisoning lawyer must prove that the victim’s illness caused him or her to suffer either economic or non-economic damages. Economic damages are any financial loss caused by the injury. Non-economic damages are any long-term pain and suffering or emotional trauma caused by the sickness.