Tyrife Perkins made history in Staten Island’s legal system by winning part of a $400,000 settlement. The money compensated for damages from lead-based paint poisoning at a Stapleton apartment. His case shed light on lead exposure’s devastating effects on children’s health and brought Staten Island’s housing safety problems into focus.
The Perkins brothers’ settlement shows just one example of how lead poisoning affected many families in the area. We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress in addressing this public health concern. The numbers tell an encouraging story. Back in 2008, 77 Staten Island children were among 1,859 kids citywide who tested positive for lead poisoning. These numbers actually show a dramatic 91 percent drop from 1995, when doctors found 21,575 children with lead poisoning across New York City’s five boroughs [-2].
This piece reveals the untold story behind the Perkins case. It looks at the events that led to legal action, the health and legal fallout that followed, and Staten Island’s bigger lead paint problems.
The Incident That Sparked the Case
Life changed forever for two young brothers when their family moved to a Quinn Street apartment in Stapleton during October 2008. Their mother Rowkkyea Hussein brought her sons – 3-year-old Tyrife Perkins and 16-month-old Tymell Perkins – to their new rental home. The family had no way to know about the hidden dangers that awaited them.
Their world turned upside down in July 2009. Medical tests showed both children’s blood lead levels pointed to lead poisoning, just nine months after moving in. This toxic exposure put the young boys at risk for developmental disabilities – news that shattered their mother’s heart.
Lead-based paint that had chipped and peeled from the apartment’s walls and window sills turned out to be the poison source. The hazard had grown worse while the children played innocently in what their mother thought was a safe home.
City officials broke down the property’s conditions and found serious violations. The landlord Elizabeth O. Ovili received formal citations in May and August 2009 from the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development. These violations confirmed dangerous lead-based paint conditions existed in their home.
Hussein fought back for her children’s sake and filed a lawsuit against Ovili in state Supreme Court, St. George. The landlord never responded to the charges or showed up for any court hearings. The family got a default judgment as a result.
The case ended with a bench trial to determine damages, where the children and their mother shared their ordeal. Judicial Hearing Officer Michael V. Ajello awarded compensation for their suffering and the potential long-term effects of lead exposure. The family had already moved away from the dangerous apartment by then.
Health and Legal Consequences
The Perkins brothers started showing devastating health effects from lead exposure right after their diagnosis. Blood tests in July 2009 showed both children had lead levels that indicated poisoning. This put them at most important risk for developmental disabilities. The toxic exposure could affect their entire lives.
Lead poisoning poses extreme dangers to children under five years old. These young children face the greatest risk of permanent neurological, cognitive, and physical damage. The most important threat comes from how lead poisoning shows no obvious symptoms at low to moderate exposure levels. Children may experience headaches, abdominal pain, memory loss, and decreased activity as lead levels rise.
Lead exposure damages the brain and leads to cognitive and behavioral problems. These health effects can last long after a child’s blood lead level drops. Children often develop learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), lower IQ scores, and behavioral issues. Research shows that blood lead levels above 2 μg/dL cause 21.1% of ADHD cases in children aged 4-15.
The Perkins family’s legal battle ended with a major court decision. Judicial Hearing Officer Michael V. Ajello awarded $200,000 each to Tyrife and Tymell Perkins after a bench trial assessed damages. The family had already gotten a default judgment against landlord Elizabeth Ovili, who never appeared in court.
Staten Island has seen fewer lead-related court cases than other New York City boroughs despite this settlement. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development only brought 14 cases against Staten Island landlords between 2004-2018. The Bronx, in comparison, had 1,958 court cases during that time.
“This verdict illustrates that lead-paint poisoning is absolutely still a problem that remains in Staten Island,” said the family’s attorney. “I hope this judgment will serve as a wakeup call to negligent Staten Island landlords to provide a lead-free environment for their tenants with small children”.
The Bigger Picture: Lead Paint in Staten Island
The Perkins case shows a personal tragedy, but lead paint exposure remains a constant problem in Staten Island. Tests from 2019 revealed that twenty-one Staten Island elementary schools had peeling or deteriorating lead paint. These schools serve children under 6 years old, who face the highest risk from lead’s harmful effects.
Staten Island has the lowest lead paint violation rate among New York City’s five boroughs, with about 6 violations per 1,000 residential units. The borough saw just 14 lead-related court cases from 2004 to 2018. In spite of that, these better-looking numbers might show poor enforcement rather than actual safety.
A mother’s story from Port Richmond, Staten Island, paints a clearer picture. She found her 2-year-old son’s lead levels were more than double the federal danger threshold. Health officials tested her apartment and found lead in 23 out of 154 spots on walls and windowsills.
Lead paint hazards likely exist in all New York City buildings built before 1960, including those in Staten Island. NYC law assumes any Staten Island building with three or more apartments built before 1960 contains these hazards.
This problem goes well beyond the Perkins family’s case. Across New York State, 28,820 children born in 2019 (12 percent of births) showed blood lead levels above 2 micrograms per deciliter. The impact falls harder on communities of color and low-income families. African American, Latino, and Asian children made up 85% of NYC children under age 6 with newly found high blood lead levels in 2023.
Local Law 1—New York City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act—has seen major changes to protect more people, but enforcement remains difficult. The law expanded in February 2021 to cover one and two-family homes, which helps protect more Staten Island families.
Conclusion
The Perkins case reminds us that lead poisoning dangers still exist in Staten Island communities. Tyrife and his brother received a big settlement, but their story is just one part of a larger public health issue. Families across the borough need to learn about lead exposure risks.
We’ve made progress since the 1990s. New lead poisoning cases have dropped by 91 percent citywide. In spite of that, lead hazards remain a threat, especially when you have older buildings built before 1960. Twenty-one Staten Island elementary schools tested positive for lead paint in 2019, which shows this danger hasn’t gone away.
Research shows lead poisoning affects communities of color and low-income households more than others. The low number of violations in Staten Island might mean poor enforcement rather than actual safety. Parents must watch out for possible exposure sources in their homes.
Local Law 1 now includes one and two-family homes, which marks real progress. But the Perkins case shows we still face enforcement challenges. Making landlords accountable is vital to prevent more children from getting lead poisoning.
The Perkins family’s legal victory sends a clear message to careless property owners and reminds parents to test early. You can’t see lead paint hazards, but they can affect a child’s development forever. Families should know their rights and use available resources to protect their children from this preventable danger.
FAQs
Q1. What was the Tyrife Perkins case about? The Tyrife Perkins case involved a lawsuit against a landlord for lead paint poisoning in a Staten Island apartment. Two young brothers, Tyrife and Tymell Perkins, were awarded $400,000 in damages after being exposed to lead-based paint in their Stapleton rental home.
Q2. How does lead poisoning affect children? Lead poisoning can cause severe health issues in children, particularly those under five. It can lead to developmental disabilities, learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and decreased cognitive function. Even low levels of exposure can have long-lasting neurological effects.
Q3. Is lead paint still a problem in Staten Island? Yes, lead paint remains a concern in Staten Island, especially in older buildings constructed before 1960. In 2019, twenty-one Staten Island elementary schools tested positive for lead paint, indicating that the issue persists in both residential and public buildings.
Q4. What legal protections exist against lead paint hazards in New York City? New York City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (Local Law 1) provides protections against lead paint hazards. As of February 2021, the law expanded to include one and two-family homes, offering broader protection for families across Staten Island and the rest of the city.
Q5. Who is most at risk for lead poisoning in New York City? Lead poisoning disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income households in New York City. In 2023, 85% of children under age 6 newly diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels were African American, Latino, or Asian, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts in these communities.