serratelli for judge

posted by on Jun 30

The Labor Protection Act of 1998 (LPA) and the Civil Commercial Code (CCC) are primarily responsible for administering labor protection laws in Thailand. In other words, the rights and duties pertaining to the employer and employee are governed by series of a laws and procedures.

Apart from Labor Protection Act BE 2541 (1998) and Thai Civil and Commercial Code, the laws in connection with Thai labor issues cover Labor Relations Act BE 2518 (AD 1975), Provident Fund Act BE 2530 (AD 1987), Social Security Act BE (AD 1900), and Workmen’s Compensation Act BE 2537 (AD 1994.)

The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, via the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, administers the laws as well as rights with regard to labor issues. Further, the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare also possess right to appoint labor inspectors as well as to issue regulations and notifications.

The Labor Protection Act and other related laws have set up employees’ minimum rights working in the country. This in turn includes rights covering almost every aspect of an employment such as working hours, remuneration, child and female labor, employee welfare fund, overtime wages, sick leave and maternity leave, holidays, employee dismissal and termination, provident fund issues, workers’ compensation, employee social security, and severance. Discussed further in this article are rights pertaining to certain aspects of employment in Thailand.

Working Hours
An employee is mostly entailed to work eight hours a day or 48 hours a week. However, it is reduced to seven hours a day or 42 hours a week, in case, the work is hazardous and affects employee’s health. In addition, an employee working continuously for five hours a day should be given a resting time of at least one hour. Likewise, an employee must also be given at least one day holiday in a week.

Remuneration
A remuneration committee has been set up, containing chairman who is the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, government representatives, and representatives of both employers and employees, in order to fix the wages and to determine basic pay.

Place of Payment of Remuneration
As per the Labor Protection Act, an employer is required to make payment of remuneration at the working place itself. However, it can be changed provided if employee is ready to accept payment at some other place or via some other payment modes.

Female Employees
According to the labor acts, both male and female employees must be treated equally in a working environment. However, there are certain exceptions in this case. For instance, an employer is restricted to employ female employee in such organizations engaged in mining as well as construction projects, underwater and tunnel works, and production and transportation of inflammable materials and explosives. Similarly, pregnant female employee is prohibited from working in plant or equipment that vibrates and lifting or carrying on her head more than 15 kilograms of weight. Additionally, an employer cannot terminate a female employee when she is pregnant.

Child Labor
According to the labor law, a child labor could be employed only if he has completed 15 years of age. But, in order to child labor below 18 years of age, the employer is required to notify it to the labor inspector regarding the employment of a child labor within 15 days from the date of his joining the job. Likewise, the law restricts an employer to make a child labor below 18 years to work on public holidays and to do overtime. Further, child labor below 18 are not allowed work in certain working environments such as metal stamping, working with hazardous chemicals, and working with poisonous microorganisms.

Sick Leave and Maternity Leave
As per the law, an employer must grant employees at least 30 days paid sick leave. However, an employee must furnish a doctor’s certificate in case, he takes sick leave continuously for three days. In the case of maternity leave, a female pregnant employee should be granted at least 90 days maternity leave, of which the employer should pay for 45 days of the maternity leave.

Termination
A notice in writing must be given to an employee prior to his termination. However, according to the Labour Protection Act BE 2541 (1998), an employer can dismiss or terminate an employee without any notice or severance payment in any of these following circumstances such as

- Performing his or her duties and responsibilities dishonestly
- Committing any kind of criminal offense
- Negligence from the part of employee that leading to serious damage or loss to the employer
- Disobeying working rules and regulations devised by the employer
- On imprisonment as per the final judgment of imprisonment

A plethora of law firms are now in scenario in order to help you dealing with the Thai labor law. Usually, these law firms provide a range of services in connection with labor issues such as labor disputes, labor court representation, payroll issues, social security, and labor law compliance issues.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• Thai Labor Protection Act 1998

posted by on Jun 29

Everyone is aware of the huge costs of alcohol abuse – increased violence, debilitating or life-threatening car crashes, and other societal ills. Many are aware of businesses’ legal obligations to stop serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons. But few are aware of the so-called “social host” liability – the legal responsibilities of those who serve their guests alcohol.

Not all states recognize social host liability, but those that do consider the obligations of a social host to be serious, especially in cases which involve drunk driving.

What is a Social Host?

A social host is the host of a gathering of any kind, from a two-person dinner party to a large convention, company party or wedding. They can be an individual, a corporation, or a group (such as a fraternity or social organization). The size of the gathering is inconsequential – from a single guest to a guest list of thousands, the individual can carry a hefty financial burden under social host liability.

When is a Social Host Liable?

They are liable for injuries (physical and financial) suffered on the part of a guest who causes injury to a third person when the following requirements are met:

* The host did serve alcohol to the person who caused the personal injury or property damage in question;

* The party-thrower knew, or should have known, that the person who caused the personal injury or property damage was intoxicated; and

* The person knew that the person who caused the personal injury or property damage would be driving after the social occasion.

The important thing to note is that the social host is not automatically liable if their guest goes on to injure somebody or some property while intoxicated. If the person does not appear drunk, the host is released of legal liability (though they will usually need another guest or organizer’s testimony to that effect). In addition, the individual cannot be sued for injuries on the part of the intoxicated guest – only third parties injured through the guest’s negligence.

How Can a Social Host Avoid Liability?

The safest – and best – way of avoiding liquor liability, as a host is clear – do not serve alcohol at social events. However, in the case that alcohol is served at your social event, know that you have taken on liability for your guests’ actions. Here are some tips for avoiding the potentially weighty financial obligations that come with hosting events that serve alcohol:

* Encourage designated drivers – provide non-alcoholic drinks for these guests and make sure they have the car keys.

* Limit the amount of alcohol available at your gathering.

* Consider hiring bartenders. While this does not release you from liability, it can provide an additional layer of insulation against liquor laws.

Check to see if your homeowner’s or business insurance covers liquor liability. You may be able to purchase single-event insurance for large events, such as company picnics or wedding receptions.

posted by on Jun 28

Americans have begun buying their prescription drugs online from internet pharmacies based in Canada. If you’ve ever looked at some of these Canadian drug websites, you may have noticed that many of the drugs are 80% cheaper in Canada then they are in the United States, which begs several questions.

Firstly, Canadians pay fantastically less for the same medicines than Americans because the Canadian government stipulates a price ceiling at which they allow drug manufacturers to sell to Canadian drug distributors, and the government also controls the prices at which Canadian distributors can then sell those drugs to the public. So, the pharmaceutical industry is tightly regulated and price controlled by the Canadian government, resulting in very cheap, very affordable prescription drugs.

This socialized system for prescription drugs is not anywhere to be found in the United States. In the U.S., drug companies are allowed to sell medicines to the public at whatever prices the market can bear. Isn’t that nice? We live in a country so free that our drug companies can charge us $350 for 20 tablets of Viagra or Cialis, whereas in Canada you can get it for $90.

As a result of these enormous price discrepancies, internet pharmaceutical suppliers in Canada have launched extensive marketing campaigns targeted at the U.S. to capitalize on the American demand for affordable prescriptions. Visit any search engine and type in the words “Canada drugs” or simply type in the name of any prescription drug you can think of, and you’ll find a ton of Canadian-themed sponsored links for online pharmacies based in Canada selling drugs that are so cheap it makes your eyes pop.

But is this legal? According to the FDA, the importation or re-importation of drugs into this country from a foreign source is against the law. Simply put, it is technically illegal to buy drugs from Canada that were either manufactured in Canada or manufactured in the United States and then sold to Canadian distributors. Is this dumb? Absolutely.

The FDA says that they can’t guarantee the “quality” of the drugs from Canada, that these drugs might be dangerous, that they might have been poorly manufactured or improperly formulated, or manufactured in facilities in Southeast Asia.

So, the FDA is dismissing the idea of allowing Americans to legally purchase drugs from Canada because the products might have been made in a bathtub in Cambodia, because I suppose Canadians are too dumb to make this stuff on their own. This is an absurd excuse on the part of the FDA.

The FDA could regulate the Canadian pharmaceutical trade, and investigate as to which Canadian pharmacies, online or offline, are making the drugs themselves and/or buying the drugs directly from American drug manufacturers, as opposed to those that are making them in foreign countries.

Most of the drugs sold by Canadian internet pharmacies are drugs that were made in the USA, and have simply been sold to Canadian distributors. Some of these drugs are manufactured by Canadian manufacturers. But rather than publish a buyers guide for Americans and allowing us to buy our drugs from “certified Canadian pharmacies”, they make the whole practice illegal to increase the profitability of the American drug industry.

Yes, it is true that there are some rogue companies on the internet masquerading as Canadian pharmacies that are actually Mexican pharmacies that don’t even have a doctor and pharmacist review your medical history before sending you the medicine.

But the FDA could easily set up a legal Canadian-American drug trade where the FDA makes it legal for Americans to buy their drugs from a select group of Canadian pharmacies that buy all their products directly from the U.S. or manufacture their drugs in the facilities of Canada’s major drug companies.

This isn’t likely to happen, however, because we have an administration in Washington that is for the corporations and by the corporations, and an FDA whose sole purpose is to protect the windfall profits of the drug manufacturers while allowing drug companies to make and sell hugely overpriced, noxious drugs that kill us, like Vioxx and others they’ve allowed onto the market that produce harmful and sometimes lethal side effects.

If the FDA sponsored a system of legal and regulated prescription drug buying from Canada, this would force American pharmaceutical companies to drop their prices by 80% to compete, resulting in a better situation for the consumer. The drug companies would still make profits, because the demand for the drugs would go up tremendously if they suddenly became affordable for people without health insurance, but the profits wouldn’t quite be the same.

For the time being, Americans will continue to have to choose between buying food for their family or buying health insurance they can’t afford that hardly covers the costs of the drugs they can’t buy.

posted by on Jun 28

No one wants to get into a car accident. Car accidents are an unfortunate and all-too-common byproduct of our auto-centric society. Sadly, the take thousands of lives and cost us billions of dollars every year in repairs, medical bills, insurance payments, lost wages and funeral costs.

Every car owner in America should have car insurance. Laws differ by state, but every state in the union requires automobile owners to have some form of car insurance. The minimal amount of car insurance required by law is liability insurance, which covers cost incurred for the other driver when you are involved in an accident and it’s your fault.

No one will ever accuse the insurance industry of being simple. As many people have experienced, making an insurance claim is often a boondoggle of red tape and bureaucratic frustration, especially if you are unfamiliar with the system.

This article will address the issue of personal injury protection when you are driving someone else’s vehicle.

If you are investigating this issue, beware that laws and procedures involving car insurance differ state by state. Be sure and educate yourself to the best of your ability about the laws in your state.

Personal injury protection coverage is sold in increments of $2,500. The base amount available for purchase is usually $2,500, but it can increase to higher amounts such as $5,000 or $10,000 depending on your state and insurance carrier. Personal Injury Protection (or PIP) covers you and any immediate family member riding in your insured vehicle or any other vehicle in which you or your family member might be riding. However, this coverage does not cover you or your family members if you are driving another person’s car without permission.

That fact is crucial. If you or any member of your immediate family choose to drive another person’s car, be absolutely sure you do so with full permission.

Conversely, if you loan your car to anyone, your Personal Injury Protection extends to that person. That is good news for anyone without automobile insurance who borrows a car from someone who does have insurance.

It is highly recommended that every car owner in America have Personal Injury Protection. In a tragic situation, it can save you or your family members a huge amount of financial and emotional strain. One of the most helpful features of Personal Injury Protection is that it will play 100 percent of your necessary medical or funeral bills as well as providing 80 percent of your lost wages and reasonable expenses related to the accident — such as household help.
If you collect this money and then collect damages from the person who negligently caused your injuries, you do not have to return the money your insurance company paid you, which is another major benefit of Personal Injury Protection.

As you enroll in an auto insurance, you might be tempted to cut corners and spend less money on your monthly bill. At first, this might seem like a good idea, especially if you are a safe driver with a good driving record. But even the best drivers can make mistakes and get into accidents. You and your family’s health and well-being are far too precious to squander over a smaller monthly insurance bill. I highly encourage you to investigate Personal Injury Protection and include it in your car insurance plan. It may not seem important, but when you need it you will be very glad you have it.

posted by on Jun 27

Many years ago some experts predicted that technology would cause a shortage of jobs for court reporters, leaving many in the career with no employment opportunities. In fact, members of the profession are in more demand today than ever before. Here are a few case studies showing how the opportunities are booming.

New York City – State Blunder Scares Away Certified Court Reporters

There are eight million people in New York City and only 405 of them are court reporters.

Several years ago the state implemented a pilot program to use electronic recordings in courts. Fear of losing their jobs to technology meant that few young people chose the career path. Training programs shut down and at one point only two schools in the city were offering court reporting courses.

After a substantial drop in student population, the state realized its error and has tried to correct it. Their actions have led to an increase in court reporting schools but there is still a critical shortage of reporters in the city.

Florida Doesn’t Learn from New York’s Mistake

Oblivious to history, Florida recently announced a similar program to use electronic recordings. Pinellas-Pasco judicial court spokesman Ron Stuart said, “I think this is inevitable and it’s progress. It’s going to be a more accurate system. We certainly have no plans to go back.”

Rick Greenspan, president of the Florida Court Reporters Association disagrees, saying, “The best voice-to-text machine that anyone ever developed is the live human being.” Many experts in the field are expecting the state to experience some shortage of certified court reporters.

Even the Bahamas is Suffering

The Bahamian government is facing a serious shortage of native-born reporters, turning to recruiting them from the US. There are only 33 reporters in the country and 18 of them are immigrants.

Many Bahamians attend court reporting classes at Kilgore College in Texas. One student said, “Many court cases go unrecorded because there aren’t enough court reporters. The shortage has created a large backlog in our court system.”

Career Opportunities are Everywhere

These examples are typical of the job climate all over the country. Massachusetts, Wisconsin, California and other states are all experiencing loss of critical court reporting services as students fear being replaced by a tape recorder.

The reality is that technology has only increased the opportunities in the profession. Television and web broadcasts will always need reporters capable of real-time closed captioning. Private businesses are finding more opportunities every day to employ reporters.

Courtrooms will always need certified court reporters as well. A tape recorder can’t ask a mumbling witness (or judge) to repeat himself or ensure that the names of everyone present are entered into the record. The reporter is the only person in the room focused on nothing but creating an accurate record of the proceedings.

Technology has never been a danger to the court reporting profession. Increasing job prospect and soaring salaries make this one of the best career opportunities around today.

posted by on Jun 26

In essence, a prenuptial agreement is merely a contract between two people who intend to wed. It lists the debts, property and other assets that each person has. It also specifies what will happen to those debts and assets as well as any other property and monies you might accumulate during the course of your marriage should your union be one that was not made to last.

We usually refer to the prenuptial agreement as a prenup. In some areas of the United States it is known as a premarital agreement or an antenuptial agreement. Sometimes the word agreement is substituted with the word contract, but they all have the same basic meaning.

A prenuptial contract is something that a couple must discuss carefully and at length before making any decisions. It is a decision that should be weighed as carefully as the decision to marry

Benefits to having a Prenuptial Agreement

Having a prenup agreement can ease both parties’ mind if they have assets they want protected. Though we would like to think that a marriage will last forever, statistics tell us differently. It is a smart idea to have a prenuptial agreement with your intended spouse for a few reasons:

Protect Property You already Own

If you own any type of real estate before you marry, you may want to be sure that it will not be part of any divorce settlement. This is especially true for those people who have inherited real estate that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Makes Getting a Divorce Easier

No doubt, divorce can be a messy experience if you haven’t hammered out who gets what before you marry. If either partner came into the marriage with considerable assets, they may want to be sure they leave with what they came into the relationship with.

Gives You a Game Plan for the Future

Having a prenuptial contract can clarify any special agreements you require. It is also a way for you to make some ground rules and establish a procedure for deciding financial matters of the future should you part.

What a Prenuptial Contract Won’t Protect You From

Though having a prenuptial agreement can smooth out many wrinkles in a new marriage, there are things that a prenuptial can’t do. You can not restrict visitation, child support payments or child custody in a prenuptial agreement.

Making rules such as who does the laundry and who is responsible for cleaning the litter box are not matters that will be taken seriously if they are included in your prenuptial contract. If you include such petty things in your agreement, the judge may decide to throw the whole agreement out which will defeat the purpose.

Who should have a Prenuptial Contract?

Anyone who is involved in planning their estate, owns property that is familial, or wants to decide financial responsibility for both parties before they wed should get a prenuptial agreement. It goes without saying that those with wealth and valuable assets are more likely to require their mate sign a prenuptial agreement before they meet at the altar, but more couples with average incomes are deciding to utilize a prenuptial agreement to protect assets they have worked hard to earn for themselves.

posted by on Jun 25

In most of the United States, erotic massage is considered a form of prostitution, and is therefore illegal. Massage as a practice in the US is heavily regulated by respective state boards, almost all of which prohibit any act deemed inappropriate for a therapeutic setting. For example, Section 29.1(b)(5) of the Regents regulations on massage practice in New York state prohibits “immoral conduct,” which is defined as massage of genital areas and massage of a client who is not properly draped for massage, or by a massage therapist who is not properly dressed. A licensed massage/bodywork therapist is, in fact, required by law to stop practicing the moment he or she suspects that the client would like something more than a good neck rub, shoulder work, etc. While there are erotic massage services available, they advertise discreetly, and rarely mention the full extent of their services.

However, as these regulations are mandated on a State level, there is an exception. The state of Nevada allows (but seriously restricts) brothels, and thereby, some establishments there are known to offer erotic massage services. In addition to this, local newspapers will advertise the availability of escort services and “sensual massage” which, most likely, mean some sort of erotic contact. In addition to this, Canada, depending on province, allows certain forms of prostitution and erotic massage. One can find any number of “massage parlors” licensed or unlicensed in Canada. The unlicensed parlors, as they typically do not employ licensed therapists, offer specifically erotic massage.

Outside of the American continent, an array of erotic massage services, are legal to the point of being regulated industries. Amsterdam is famous for its red-light district, which includes not only coffee houses in which one can purchase and consume marijuana, but also legal prostitutes. The Dutch government registers its sex-workers, allows them to join unions, and gives them access to social services. Indeed it goes so far as to require STD testing for the health of the workers and clients. Although recent legislation has put a freeze on the development of any more red-light zones within the country, the sex-industry seems to be alive and well there. One would assume that something like a good old fashioned, and legal, erotic massage would be simple to procure there.

Among other nations, Japan, Thailand, and New Zealand stand out as havens for erotic massage. Because Japanese law is famously lax regarding prostitution, prohibiting only full on coitus, there is quite an array of erotic services available legally. For instance, one can go to a “soapland” club, in which he or she (for a fee) is lathered in soap and “serviced.” The Japanese government actually regulates these and other (non-coital) sex services. New Zealand also openly allows a regulated sex-trade; wherein one can go to a massage parlour and receive any kind of massage service. Similar to the Dutch model, the country attempts to ensure the health and safety of their sex-workers, and ensures that full on prostitution only occurs in licensed brothels.

Of course there are plenty of nations in which erotic massage is highly illegal. Most notably, Chinese anti-prostitution laws have a zero tolerance approach to any kind of sex-work for money, mandating the death penalty for “organizers” of prostitution rings. Apparently, one will not find his “happy ending” in Beijing.

posted by on Jun 24

Because the inner ear is directly connected to the central nervous system in humans, it may not be surprising that hearing problems are common after a traumatic brain injury. Tinnitus, a ringing, roaring or buzzing in the ears, and hearing loss are two of the most widely reported side effects of a TBI. Other hearing-related problems that can stem from brain damage include hyperacusis, in which normal situations seem unbearably loud; difficulty filtering one set of sounds from background noise, such as a conversation in a crowded restaurant; or auditory agnosia (also called pure word deafness), in which the patient is simply unable to recognize the meanings of certain sounds.

Ear Structure and Traumatic Brain Injury

Damage to the ear itself during a traumatic brain injury can cause hearing problems. The inner ear is made of a series of small and delicate membranes and body parts, which can rupture during head trauma. The cochlea, an important spiral-shaped bone inside the ear, may be concussed by a strong blow, causing hearing damage when supporting membranes are torn; patients with cochlear concussions often develop vertigo as well. Another type of membrane damage, perilymphatic fistula, causes hearing loss as well as vertigo and nausea. Surgery may help to correct this type of damage.

Doctors agree that damage to the central nervous system also plays a major role in TBI-related hearing problems, especially those with a cognitive basis. Among many others, a 2005 study by doctors at Haifa University in Israel showed that TBI patients who complained of hearing problems (including tinnitus) had significantly reduced function in a part of the brain that regulates hearing, compared to TBI patients without hearing complaints as well as people without head injuries. A German study from 2004 concluded that post-concussion syndrome led to hearing problems, even a year after the trauma, and that widespread damage to connections between the nerves of the central auditory pathway was probably to blame.

Brain Injury-Related Hearing Loss Takes Toll on Everyday Life

Because hearing loss limits or takes away one of the primary tools humans use to communicate, it has the potential to complicate many of the other side effects of brain damage, particularly cognitive and social problems. For some TBI victims, cognitive issues, such as trouble “finding words,” already interfere with their ability to communicate. And inappropriate behaviors are only exacerbated if the patient genuinely cannot hear what is going on.

If You Suffer From TBI-Related Hearing Problems

Some hearing problems disappear a few weeks after the accident that led to the patient’s brain damage, but others are lifelong afflictions. Some patients may not even notice their hearing problems until they are diagnosed by a doctor or audiologist. TBI experts, including the National Institutes of Health, recommend that patients who have sustained brain damage consult an audiologist, even if it seems like nothing is wrong. You may also wish to contact an experienced TBI attorney to evaluate your potential brain injury lawsuit and help you secure compensation for your injuries.

posted by on Jun 22

Slip and fall cases may seem like straightforward personal injury lawsuits, but the underlying case is often more complex than may meet the eye. A 2005 law suit, which made it all the way to the New York State Supreme Court, exhibits both the severity of slip and fall injuries and the potential complexity of these personal injury law suits.

Negligent Mail Delivery?

The case in question is Barbara Dolan v. U.S. Postal Service. In the case in question, plaintiff Dolan sued the U.S. Postal Service for wrist and back injuries sustained after a slip and fall on her front porch. Dolan claimed that she slipped on mail that was placed on her porch instead of being properly placed in her mailbox. Dolan litigated her case in the lower New York courts and fought all the way up to the New York State Supreme Court, but was defeated by the government, who claimed that it was not liable for negligent mail delivery. However, Dolan’s lawyer successfully argued that since different courts have interpreted the definition of “mail delivery” differently, the nation’s highest court should rectify the discrepancies and hear the case at the Supreme Court level. The Supreme Court found 7 to 1 for plaintiff Dolan, setting a precedent in a different field related to whether the government should be responsible for so-called “negligent transmission”.

Lessons Learned

Whatever the outcome of Dolan’s case, the fact that it reached the highest court of the land is notable in and of itself. The severity of the plaintiff’s slip and fall injury – so severe that her husband claimed she could not perform her conjugal duties and filed a complaint in the New York courts – is just the tip of the iceberg of injury that exists in slip and fall cases. From traumatic brain injury to concussions to contusions to lasting spinal harm, slip and fall injuries are a serious concern and threaten the health and welfare of employees, customers and regular citizens all over the country.

If You Have Been Injured

Know your rights if you have sustained a slip and fall injury. Notify the owner of the premises or the manager of the business in which you were injured as soon as possible after the fall. Document your medical visits and take photographs of the injury if possible. Seek medical attention immediately to determine whether you have suffered injury. If the store, business or property owner refuses to compensate you for your slip and fall related injuries, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your personal injury attorney can help you recover the damages and compensation you deserve after a slip and fall injury. This can include, but is not limited to, attorney’s fees, medical bills, lost wages, and other benefits.

Your case may well settle before it reaches its first jury trial. Not every trial will make it to the Supreme Court and have the chance to set precedent and affect future cases. But each slip and fall injury suit filed represents a citizen standing up for his or her right to compensation for their injuries due to the negligence of a property owner or business. Talk to a personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a valid claim before filing your slip and fall suit.

posted by on Jun 21

The dangers of lead paint and lead poisoning include a broad range of mental disorders and chronic disabilities. But lead paint and lead poisoning is especially dangerous for women, who run the risk of passing dangerous lead exposure on to developing fetuses while pregnant. Here are some ways that women can experience a safe pregnancy free from the effects of lead poisoning:

Clean Up!

Cleanliness is next to godliness…and can help pregnant women escape the dangers of toxic lead exposure. Pregnant women should clean the house when they see the presence of chipping paint or dust – both of which can contain lead particles. Cover chipping paint in your home with duct tape, plastic or contact paper, and vacuum dust whenever possible. A wet cloth will help wash down painted and dusty surfaces, protecting you from lead particles and their potential dangers to you and your fetus.
Hand-washing, while common-sense, is not practiced enough, so be sure to wash up after interacting with soil, which might contain lead toxins, and before preparing food or eating. Wear garden gloves and wash up after dusting or mopping to prevent cross-contamination with your food or water.

Craft With Care

Ceramic and other pottery may have its appeal, but with lead paint posing a very real threat to your fetus, it may be a good idea to avoid ceramic crafts until after your pregnancy. If you must interact with lead-containing pottery or paint during your pregnancy, be sure to wash your hands well afterwards and wear protective clothing. Solder is a bad idea while pregnant, so hand the soldering iron off to another crafty woman during your pregnancy. Change your clothing after working with lead-filled crafts materials and be sure to wash them away from other family members’ garments.

Take Care At Work

Occupational exposure to lead is dangerous for men and women, but pregnant women run the additional risk of lead contamination to their unborn children. If you work with soldering irons, welding materials, lead-based paint, common construction site chemicals and items, or work in a factory setting, you may be putting your fetus at risk. Ask your employer about a transfer to a lower-risk area of the factory, and be sure to wash hands often. Put your work clothing in a separate hamper and wash it separately from other family’s garments. Keep lead-exposed shoes outside of the house and be sure to vacuum well if they go into the house. Educate yourself about the hazards of lead exposure and be certain to talk to your doctor about how your prenatal care can reflect your concern about lead poisoning and lead exposure.

Seek Legal Advice for Exposure

If you have been exposed to lead paint or other lead at work or at home, consult a doctor and then a lawyer. An experienced lead poisoning attorney can help you recover money for the injury, pain and suffering caused by toxic lead paint exposure that affects the health of you and your baby.