Friday, May 1, 2015

JURY AWARDS $9.3 MILLION IN LEAD-PAINT POISONING CASE. HOWEVER, $7.9M IN DAMAGES WILL BE CAPPED AT $350K





APRIL 30, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (AP)

A Baltimore jury has awarded $9.3 million to a man who says he was poisoned by lead-based paint at his former rowhouse.

The Daily Record of Baltimore reports 22-year-old Terrance Smith Jr. lived in a home in Baltimore from birth until he was six years old. In tests between 1993 and 1995, his blood-lead level was 10, twice the CDC’s recommended level of 5 in children. Attorney Brian S. Brown says Smith only reached eighth grade and has been unable to work because of his condition.

Brown says Smith’s case featured the lowest measured blood-lead level he has ever brought to trial. He said the home wasn’t tested for lead.

Lawyers say Smith’s award includes $7.9 million in noneconomic damages, which will be capped at $350,000 by the state.