My landlord wants to perform repairs that involves opening up a wall in my apartment to perform plumbing repairs. I have a child who is less than 6 years of age. Does the landlord have to utilize safeguards to protect us from the disruption of the paint?

Yes. When major plumbing or any intrusive work disturbs the integrity of the walls of an apartment, the landlord must utilize properly trained persons using safe practices. Often, landlords and management companies cause and create hazardous conditions in buildings when they fail to follow the law and do not utilize trained and licensed lead abatement contractors and/or fail to follow safe practices. If a child is poisoned as a result of such practices, they may have a claim for damages against the offending parties.