CARBON MONOXIDE INJURIES

What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide and Personal Injury

Most people don’t associate carbon monoxide with personal injury lawsuits, but this deadly gas is responsible for thousands of devastating injuries and deaths each year. Because carbon monoxide is both odorless and colorless, it’s nearly impossible for humans to detect using our normal senses. This is why carbon monoxide is often referred to as a “silent killer.”

What Types of Injuries Does Carbon Monoxide Cause?

Any time you burn fuel, whether natural gas, wood, coal, charcoal, or gasoline, you produce carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it gets into a person’s bloodstream, inhibiting the flow of oxygen to the brain. If too much of it accumulates, it can cause people to experience flu-like symptoms or side effects that mimic those associated with food poisoning or a stomach virus.

Inhale enough carbon monoxide and you can experience lack of coordination, cardiovascular problems, headache, disorientation, nausea, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Toxic levels of carbon monoxide cause irregular heartbeat, coma, and eventually death.

Who Is at Risk for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Anyone burning fuel in an enclosed space can be exposed to toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Because people tend to remain indoors with closed windows during the winter months, carbon monoxide injuries are quite common in cold weather. Similarly, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur if you use a charcoal grill in an enclosed space. If you own your own home, you can take steps to prevent this from occurring by installing a carbon monoxide detector in your house. People who live in apartments can do the same, however, the law also requires landlords and business owners to use reasonable care to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning on their property.

Businesses and landlords can be held liable for injuries and deaths related to carbon monoxide poisoning when they fail to follow the standards of care necessary to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide on their property. Reasonable precautions include complying with building codes, installing carbon monoxide detectors, performing routine building maintenance, and conducting carbon monoxide checks.

Contact Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. for Help

If you believe you or a loved one has experienced carbon monoxide poisoning due to the negligence of a landlord, property manager, or other responsible party, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Call Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. today at 617-742-1170 to discuss your injuries and explore your options.

This website has been prepared by Joel H. Schwartz, P.C. for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.