Amiah McGee Collins (Minor), et al vs. Chicago Housing Authority, et al

Case Background

On January 4, 2022, Plaintiff Shanna Jordan and others filed a lead poisoning lawsuit in the Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County (Case number: 2022-L-000095). The lawsuit accused the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) of gross negligence for failing to address lead-based paint hazards, which led to the poisoning of Shanna Jordan’s children.

Cause

The lawsuit involved the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and its failure to address lead-based paint hazards at 7715 North Marshfield Avenue, where a family of four lived in a CHA unit. The CHA had known about the presence of lead-based paint since 1979, when it purchased the building. Despite multiple federal and city investigations throughout the 1990s and 2000s that identified the risks of lead poisoning, the CHA took no action to address these hazards. The unit had a documented history of lead exposure, with several children previously poisoned, but the CHA failed to disclose these risks to new tenants. In 2014, Shanna Jordan and her family moved into the apartment, unaware of the dangerous levels of lead they would be exposed to.

Injuries

After moving in, the children began showing signs of developmental regression. Amiah, who was two years old when her family moved in, had previously been able to count, recite the ABCs, and write her name. However, by the age of three, she could no longer perform these tasks. She also experienced severe cognitive and behavioral issues. Jah’mir, a newborn at the time, was also diagnosed with lead poisoning in 2019, along with Amiah. Blood tests revealed that Amiah’s blood lead level (BLL) was 34 micrograms per deciliter, nearly 10 times the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) reference limit of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Jah’mir’s BLL was 13, confirming lead poisoning. Amiah’s condition was further confirmed when X-rays showed that the lead had entered her bones, where it could continue to leach into her bloodstream, causing ongoing harm.

Damages

The children suffered irreversible physical and developmental damage due to prolonged exposure to lead-based paint. Amiah faced significant developmental setbacks, including difficulties with motor skills and emotional regulation, which worsened over time. The damage to her cognitive and physical health was lasting and lifelong. Jah’mir also showed signs of hyperactivity, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems caused by lead poisoning. The family sought legal action, arguing that the CHA’s negligence in addressing the lead hazard caused lasting harm to their children’s health and well-being. The family sought compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, and the long-term health consequences caused by the CHA’s negligence.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Amiah McGee Collins (Minor) | Jahmir Collins (Minor) | Morgan Collins | Shanna Jordan
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Pro Se | Matthew Stanley Sims
  • Defendant(s): Chicago Housing Authority | East Lake Management Group | Environmental Design Inter | LFW, Inc. d/b/a The Habitat | The Habitat Company, LLC
    • Counsel for Defendants: John Martin Coleman, Jr. | Thomas Brian King | Elizabeth Dillon Sharp | Thomas Brian King | Thomas Brian King | Henry Ortiz | Jordan Matthew Tank

Claims

The lawsuit claimed that the CHA acted with gross negligence. It failed to disclose the presence of lead-based paint and took no corrective action, despite being aware of the risks for decades. Despite repeated inspections confirming the lead hazards, the CHA misled tenants. They claimed that no lead-based paint risks existed in the apartment. The family’s attorneys argued that the CHA violated federal, state, and local housing regulations. The CHA failed to disclose the lead hazards or take necessary steps to remove the lead-based paint. The lawsuit also emphasized that other children in the same unit had been previously poisoned by lead. Yet, the CHA did nothing to protect future tenants. Furthermore, the lawsuit accused the CHA of attempting to shift blame. It blamed the property managers and even the children’s mothers. The mothers had made over 50 complaints about the apartment’s unsafe conditions.

Defense

The CHA defended itself by claiming it had complied with all federal and local regulations regarding lead-based paint disclosure and mitigation. They argued that they had no knowledge of the lead hazards in the specific apartment when Shanna Jordan and her family moved in. The CHA further stated that any lead hazards identified during previous inspections were limited to common areas, not the apartment itself. The CHA claimed that it had provided all required lead-based paint disclosure forms to the family. These forms indicated that no hazards were present. Additionally the CHA also asserted that it had conducted regular inspections and follow-ups. Any lead-related concerns raised by tenants were appropriately handled by property managers. Also, the CHA contended that it was not responsible for the children’s health outcomes. They argued that the children did not show symptoms of lead poisoning when they moved in. Moreover, the CHA claimed that any injuries cited were unrelated to the conditions in the apartment.

Jury Verdict

On January 15, 2025, the jury found the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) liable for the children’s injuries. This included both past and future medical care damages. Jurors awarded a total of $24,141,000 in damages. Of that amount, $20,641,000 was awarded to Amiah, and $3,500,000 was awarded to Jah’mir. Although the family also sued Habitat Company, which managed the building from 2016 to 2019, and East Lake Management Group, which managed the building from 2019 to 2022, the jury determined that these entities were not liable for the children’s injuries. Environmental Design International, also named as a defendant, reached a settlement with the plaintiffs in 2024. The company agreed to pay $100,000 to Amiah and $50,000 to Jah’mir, as reflected in court records.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com