Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 400 people die in the United States every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, and over 14,000 are hospitalized [1]. Exposure to carbon monoxide requires immediate medical attention, as it can cause serious complications, including permanent brain damage [2].

If you’ve suffered carbon monoxide poisoning due to a negligent property owner or maintenance company, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will help you recover compensation to heal and hold irresponsible property owners accountable for their negligence.

Why Choose Our Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to securing justice and maximum compensation for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning cases. Our experienced premises liability legal team has a proven track record of handling complex personal injury cases, including those involving toxic exposure, and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts.

• $5,000,000 – Carbon monoxide poisoning settlement against a landlord who failed to properly vent furnace in the apartment.
• $600,000 – Recovered on behalf of a family that received carbon monoxide poisoning at a home they were renting. A lawsuit was pursued against both the landlord and the furnace maintenance company. The case was settled via an elective mediation process with a retired Cook County, IL, Judge. Despite the fact that some of the family members spent up to a week in the hospital, no loss of cognitive function was reportedly related to the incident.

We thoroughly investigate every detail of your case to ensure all medical expenses, long-term health effects, and pain and suffering are fully addressed. With our deep expertise in carbon monoxide poisoning claims, we navigate the complexities effectively and fight tirelessly to protect your rights.

Understanding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas. It is often the byproduct of incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances like gas stoves, water heaters, and charcoal grills [3].

With a CO poisoning incident, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide build up in the bloodstream, and red blood cells begin to replace oxygen (CO2) [4]. This leads to hypoxia, where the body’s tissues aren’t receiving oxygen.

Hypoxia due to acute poisoning can lead to treatable neurological effects, while even moderate exposure can cause irreversible brain damage or cardiovascular effects [5].

Because it is a colorless gas that has no natural odor or taste, carbon monoxide is often known as the silent killer. A person exposed to carbon monoxide may become drowsy and fall asleep, leading to death because they can’t escape [6].

Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in North America, causing thousands of deaths per year in Canada, Mexico, and the United States [7].

Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide gas is released from the incomplete combustion of fuel sources, which includes wood, gasoline, natural gas, kerosene, and coal [8]. With proper ventilation, the carbon monoxide disperses, though even low-level exposure can lead to health problems in vulnerable people, such as children and the elderly.

Household appliances like gas stoves, furnaces, spa heaters, automobiles, and cigarettes are all sources of carbon monoxide. However, most carbon monoxide poisoning cases occur in the winter due to using space heaters in enclosed spaces like attached garages [9].

Other potential sources of carbon monoxide leaks include malfunctioning appliances, clogged chimneys, and auto exhaust [10].

Because CO is odorless, natural gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to help consumers smell carbon monoxide leaks. This chemical has a noxious odor like rotten eggs, making it much easier to identify gas leaks and act quickly [11].

Anyone who smells this should immediately leave the area and alert their utility provider about a potential carbon monoxide leak.

Common Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning most acutely affects vital organs, including the brain, liver, and heart. These organs use the most oxygen in the body and are the first to be affected [12].

Unfortunately, the symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle, and they may be passed off as another issue, like food poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness
• Loss of muscle control
• Unconsciousness [13]

If you have these symptoms, leave the area immediately and get medical treatment.

The Consequences of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Complications of carbon monoxide poisoning can include:

• Unexplained vision problems
• Impaired memory and concentration
• Numbness
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Intellectual impairment
• Cardiovascular damage
• Death [14]

Liability for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases

A carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer may hold several parties liable for failing to maintain a safe environment. This includes the following parties.

• Landlords – In almost every state, apartment building owners are required to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in their properties. If the detectors fail or they do not provide them, the landlord can be liable in a carbon monoxide poisoning case.
• Property Owners – Those providing vacation rentals or hosting guests are also responsible for maintaining carbon monoxide detectors and offering adequate ventilation.
• Retailers – Companies that create defective products that result in a gas leak or sell malfunctioning CO detectors may also be defendants in personal injury lawsuits.
• HVAC Companies – Appliances like furnaces are a significant cause of carbon monoxide exposure. If HVAC companies fail to check appliances or do not ensure adequate ventilation, our personal injury attorneys can hold them accountable.

Why You Need a Lawyer for a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuit

Law firms are a vital resource for victims seeking compensation for personal injury. Our carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers will assist with all aspects of your personal injury case, including the following:

• Initial Consultation – We’ll assess whether you have a carbon monoxide poisoning case and identify the next steps.
• Case Evaluation – Our law firm will determine the value of your case and who may be held liable.
• Investigation – We’ll review the circumstances surrounding the carbon monoxide exposure and gather evidence, such as medical reports, building inspections, repair records, and surveillance footage.
• Negotiation – An accomplished lawyer will work with the insurance company to obtain fair compensation based on typical settlements for this type of case.
• Trial Representation – In some cases, the insurer will refuse to offer a fair settlement. We’ll offer our legal assistance in a court of law, presenting our evidence to a judge and jury.

Compensation You Can Claim for a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claim

A carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuit may provide both economic and non-economic damages for victims.

Economic damages are for financial losses that occurred from the carbon monoxide leak, such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage
• Burial expenses in a wrongful death claim

Non-economic damages consider how exposure to carbon monoxide has adversely impacted your life, which includes:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Inconvenience
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship in a wrongful death claim

Statute of Limitations for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claims

Depending on the state where you reside, the statute of limitations for a carbon monoxide personal injury claim may be as short as one year. In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations is two years. As such, it is crucial that you contact our law firm as soon as possible so we can begin our investigation.

Proving Negligence for a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claim

There are four elements necessary to prove negligence in a carbon monoxide poisoning case, which include:

1. Duty of Care – The person liable had a responsibility to act in a safe manner, including providing CO detectors and checking connections on appliances.
2. Breach of Duty – The liable party failed to act responsibly, such as failing to check that a carbon monoxide detector was working.
3. Cause – You were exposed to carbon monoxide as a result of the other party’s failure to fulfill their duty of care, and your injuries would not have happened otherwise.
4. Damages – You suffered financial losses as a result of the exposure.

Contact a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorney Today!

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has recovered millions in damages on behalf of our clients. Our carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win you a settlement. Our investigation skills, negotiation experience, and reputation for excellent trial representation help us gain justice for those harmed by another party’s negligent actions.

To schedule your free consultation with an accomplished carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer, contact us online or call us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757.

Specific Cases We Handle

• Deck Collapse Lawyer
• Dram Shop Liability Attorney
• Escalator Accident Injury Lawyer
• Escalator Accident Lawyer
• Ethylene Oxide Cancer Lawsuit

Resources: [1] Centers for Disease Control, [2] WebMD, [3] Mayo Clinic, [4] Mayo Clinic, [5] Centers for Disease Control, [6] New York Department of Health, [7] Penn Medicine, [8] Johns Hopkins Medicine, [9] Johns Hopkins Medicine, [10] Johns Hopkins Medicine, [11] Peoples Gas, [12] JRank, [13] Penn Medicine, [14] Harvard Medical School

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.