Lead paint exposure remains a serious issue in New York City housing, particularly when landlords fail to meet their legal obligations. In a landmark lead poisoning settlement, Thomas Giuffra of Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP obtained an $11 million verdict against a New York landlord whose neglect led to lifelong harm for a child tenant.
This case study demonstrates both the long-term damage lead poisoning can inflict and how experienced New York lead poisoning lawyers can hold negligent landlords accountable under New York law.
If you or a family member is researching legal options after lead exposure, this case illustrates what may be possible when a claim is thoroughly investigated, aggressively litigated, and supported by expert evidence.
The plaintiff, Lameek James, was an infant when he was first exposed to lead paint inside his New York City apartment. The exposure continued over a prolonged period during his early developmental years, precisely when the neurological effects of lead poisoning are most severe.
Medical testing confirmed elevated blood lead levels, and as Lameek grew older, the consequences became obvious. He was classified as disabled, placed in special education programs, and struggled academically despite consistent effort. Ultimately, the cognitive impairment caused by lead exposure limited his education, employability, and long-term earning potential.
The evidence showed that these outcomes were not the result of genetics, parenting, or circumstance, but of preventable lead exposure in violation of New York law.
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New York imposes strict obligations on property owners to protect children from lead exposure. Under New York City Administrative Code § 27-2056 (Local Law 1 of 2004), landlords of multiple dwellings must:
In this case, the defendant landlord, H.P. Greenfield Real Estate, LTD., failed to meet these obligations. Evidence introduced at trial established that no lead violations existed under prior ownership, and that the plaintiff’s elevated lead levels coincided exclusively with Greenfield’s control of the property.
As experienced NYC premises liability lawyers, we focused on tying the timing of exposure directly to the landlord’s statutory violations, eliminating alternative explanations and establishing clear liability.
Courtroom victories like Lameek’s don’t happen by chance; they result from meticulous preparation, legal skill and a deep understanding of how negligence can alter the course of a person’s entire life. Attorney Thomas Giuffra’s work in this case exemplified the power of preparation and strategic advocacy.
Defense attorneys attempted to shift blame to a previous property owner, but Mr. Giuffra successfully demonstrated that the real negligence occurred after H.P. Greenfield Real Estate, LTD. took control of the building. Evidence presented in court showed that the New York Department of Health had issued no lead violations during the prior ownership, and that Lameek’s dangerously high lead levels persisted only while the property was under Greenfield’s management.
By carefully documenting every aspect of Lameek’s harm, including his learning difficulties, lost opportunities and lifelong medical needs, Giuffra helped the jury understand the full human cost of the landlord’s failure to comply with New York’s lead paint safety requirements. His ability to assess both immediate and future damages ensured that the verdict would account for what Lameek had already lost and the hardships he would continue to face for the rest of his life.
After just three hours of deliberation, the jury found in favor of Lameek James, awarding a total of $11 million in damages against H.P. Greenfield Real Estate, LTD.
The award included:
This substantial verdict reflects not only the severity of the harm but also the effectiveness of a legal strategy that fully quantified long-term losses and presented them clearly to the jury.
Verdicts of this magnitude send a clear message: New York landlords—whether private owners or public entities—will be held accountable when they ignore lead paint laws.
Cases like this improve safety citywide by promoting compliance with payment regulations and reinforcing their importance under New York Law. They also demonstrate that tenants and families harmed by lead exposure may have meaningful legal recourse, even years after exposure.
For those seeking guidance, speaking with an experienced New York lead poisoning lawyer can help determine whether a landlord violated statutory duties and whether a claim may still be viable under applicable deadlines.
This case was handled by Thomas Giuffra and the team at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, a firm with decades of experience representing victims of serious injury caused by unsafe property conditions. Under Thomas’s leaership, the firm has secured the first and third largest lead paint verdicts in New York State history, including one verdict of $58 million awarded to a tenant of NYCHA.
As seasoned New York premises liability lawyers, we devote significant resources to complex cases involving toxic exposure, childhood injury, and long-term damages. Our attorneys regularly work with medical specialists, economists, and life-care planners to ensure that settlements and verdicts reflect the true cost of a defendant’s negligence.
If you believe a landlord’s failure to address lead hazards harmed you or your child, legal deadlines may apply. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help preserve evidence, evaluate liability, and determine available legal options.
To learn more about lead exposure claims, you can speak directly with an attorney at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP. We offer free consultations and are prepared to discuss how New York law applies to your situation.
