A New Haven Superior Court judge has denied the city’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges its lead removal policy.
The lawsuit is brought by the families of children who say city officials did not protect them from lead poisoning.
The children have blood lead levels that the Centers for Disease Control says put them at risk of long-term health effects.
The city says its inspection and abatement policy of homes with potential lead exposure is adequate. New Haven’s blood lead level standards are much lower than the CDC’s guidelines.
The city asked the judge to dismiss the case because of a clerical error. The judge says defendants “cannot try to withdraw from the lawsuit when they receive a result that they do not like.”
A request for the lawsuit to become a class action is still pending. That means the families of more than 300 children could join against the city if approved.
