Appeals Court Says Milwaukee Lead-Paint Suit Can Go to Trial
MILWAUKEE - A Wisconsin appeals court ruled that the city of Milwaukee could proceed to trial with a lead-paint lawsuit filed in 2001 against NL Industries Inc. and Mautz Paint Co., now owned by The Sherwin-Williams Co. The suit, which was dismissed by a lower court in 2003, contends that the companies created a public nuisance by selling lead-based paint and pigments.
The city is seeking $85 million from the two companies to cover the cost of abating old lead paint in roughly 41,000 houses in Milwaukee neighborhoods. In the suit, the city contends that roughly 26% of the children in the neighborhoods have elevated lead levels in their blood.