Minor's lead poisoning leads to lawsuit against apartment owners, managers

The mother of a minor child is suing the owners and managers of a Chicago apartment complex over claims her son was exposed to lead.

On behalf of her minor son, Nikia Turner filed a lawsuit Jan. 6 in Cook County Circuit Court against GP Management-Wood LLC, Griffin Property Management and building owners Anderson Griffin and Kristen Griffin.

According to the complaint, Turner's son was exposed to lead bearing substances between 2004 and 2005 while residing in the apartment in the 1400 Block of West 82nd Street owned by the Griffins and maintained by G.P. Management.

Turner alleges the defendants knew or should have known the apartment contained lead-bearing substances and accuses them of failing to inspect the apartment to determine if there was lead. She further claims they failed to remove or warn her about the lead bearing substances in her unit.

Her son's exposure to lead caused him to develop lead poisoning, the suit states.

Turner is seeking damages and is represented by attorney Henry Phillip Gruss of Henry Philip Gruss Ltd. in Chicago.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and represents only one side of the story.