Trial Magazine
Verdicts and Settlements: Premises Liability
Failure to remediate lead hazard
June 2017For the first five years of his life, Chauncey Liles lived in a home owned by Stanley Sugarman and Ivy Realty. The home contained lead paint that was chipped and flaking. As a result, Liles suffered lead poisoning that affected his ability to concentrate, which in turn caused him to struggle academically. Now 18, he remains affected by the lead poisoning.
Liles sued Sugarman and Ivy Realty, alleging they failed to remediate the lead paint and warn of its existence. The defendants conceded liability but disputed the extent of the plaintiff’s damages, arguing that he never required special education or received failing grades.
The jury awarded about $1.3 million. The defense has appealed.
Citation: Liles v. Sugarman, No. 24-C-2014-005808 (Md. Cir. Ct. Baltimore City Aug. 12, 2016).
Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Robert J. Leonard and Bruce Powell, both of Baltimore.
Plaintiff experts: Jacalyn Blackwell-White, pediatrics, Windsor Mill, Md.; Robert Kraft, neuropsychology, Owings Mills, Md.; Mark Lieberman, vocational rehabilitation, Baltimore; and Michael Conte, economics, Phoenix.
Defense experts: Jack Spector, neuropsychology, Baltimore; David Nelson, epidemiology, Scott Beveridge, vocational rehabilitation, and Jerome Paige, economics, all of Washington, D.C
