Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Injury or Death
If you or a loved one have been a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, you need the help of experienced personal injury lawyers. After all, the negligent parties and their insurance companies are going to be consulting with their lawyers – why shouldn’t you have an attorney looking out for you and your family? Steve Combs, Mark Link, and their team are here to protect your rights and the rights of your family. The investigation into how the carbon monoxide poisoning occurred and who may be at fault must begin immediately, so that valuable evidence is not lost.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous, and often deadly, gas. It is sometimes called the silent killer, since it is colorless, tasteless and odorless, even at very high levels. Older people, infants and very small children, people with a history of heart disease or respiratory illnesses, people with anemia and unborn children, are especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Investigation of Who May be at Fault for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Must Begin Immediately
Who may be at fault for carbon monoxide poisoning is dependent upon the circumstances of each case, and whether the carbon monoxide came from an appliance, machinery or from a vehicle. It is essential that an experienced personal injury lawyer begin to gather evidence and locate witnesses immediately after a carbon monoxide injury or death, so that valuable evidence is not lost. Our team will begin work immediately to determine who was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the structure where the carbon monoxide occurred, for the construction of the structure, as well as who was responsible for the manufacturing, use, maintenance and upkeep of the appliance, machinery or vehicle which produced the carbon monoxide. There are a number of parties who may be at fault for damages or death caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, including:
Steve Combs and Mark Link currently represent the parents of a wonderful young woman who was tragically lost in a 2011 Tampa incident that could have easily been prevented. This case highlights the importance of landlords and construction companies maintaining the habitable envelope between living areas and garages so as to protect against the deadly consequences of carbon monoxide intrusion.
- landlords
- property management companies
- apartment complex owners
- hotel owners
- hotel management companies
- RV and boat generator repair companies
- rental condo and rental home owners
- adjacent home owners or adjacent condo owners
- appliance and machinery repair companies
- gas or utility companies as insallters of appliances and machinery
- manufacturers of appliances and machinery
- manufacturers of automobiles or vehicles
- construction companies
- design and architectural companies
Steve Combs and Mark Link currently represent the parents of a wonderful young woman who was tragically lost in a 2011 Tampa incident that could have easily been prevented. This case highlights the importance of landlords and construction companies maintaining the habitable envelope between living areas and garages so as to protect against the deadly consequences of carbon monoxide intrusion.
How Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Occur?
The hundreds of deaths and injury every year caused by carbon monoxide poisoning are often due to malfunctioning appliances or machinery, the improper use of appliances/machinery, or due to vehicles left idling near homes or other structures. Even when such appliances or machinery are not in living areas, carbon monoxide may intrude into living areas due to inadequate maintenance or poor construction.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is burned. That fuel could be anything from oil or gas, to kerosene, charcoal, or even wood. If appliances, machinery and vehicles which burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of carbon monoxide produced by them is usually not hazardous. But, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can occur from an appliance or other machinery that is not working properly or that is used incorrectly, or if machinery or vehicles are left running in or near an enclosed.
Once carbon monoxide is inhaled, it enters the blood very quickly and stops the flow of oxygen to the cells of the body. Essentially, carbon monoxide starves the body of oxygen, and can cause the victim to go into a coma, or can even cause the death of the victim – this injury or death can happen very quickly.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is burned. That fuel could be anything from oil or gas, to kerosene, charcoal, or even wood. If appliances, machinery and vehicles which burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of carbon monoxide produced by them is usually not hazardous. But, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can occur from an appliance or other machinery that is not working properly or that is used incorrectly, or if machinery or vehicles are left running in or near an enclosed.
Once carbon monoxide is inhaled, it enters the blood very quickly and stops the flow of oxygen to the cells of the body. Essentially, carbon monoxide starves the body of oxygen, and can cause the victim to go into a coma, or can even cause the death of the victim – this injury or death can happen very quickly.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are very similar to the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses. This often makes it very difficult to determine that the culprit of the symptoms is carbon monoxide poisoning. If the level of exposure to carbon monoxide is low or moderate, the symptoms can include:
If you feel any of these symptoms and you are inside, you should go outside to see if the symptoms dissipate. If they do, then there may be dangerous carbon monoxide levels inside. You should evacuate the building, vehicle or boat, and seek immediate medical attention.
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Mild headaches to severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Mental confusion
- Fainting
If you feel any of these symptoms and you are inside, you should go outside to see if the symptoms dissipate. If they do, then there may be dangerous carbon monoxide levels inside. You should evacuate the building, vehicle or boat, and seek immediate medical attention.
