Los Angeles, California, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorneys
Carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it; but carbon monoxide can kill you.
Although carbon monoxide poisoning is “invisible” it can produce devastating injuries. Every year thousands of people become victims to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Their injuries range from death to various levels of permanent brain injury.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that this “silent killer” claims nearly 500 lives, and causes more than 15,000 visits to hospital emergency departments annually.
Carbon monoxide is produced by common household appliances. When not properly ventilated, carbon monoxide from these appliances often produce symptoms headaches, nausea, and fatigue, are often mistaken for the flu.
Bailey & Partners just produced a $1 million settlement for two clients poisoned by their defective apartment wall heater!
Sources of carbon monoxide:
- Gas water heaters
- Kerosene space heaters
- Residential wall heaters
- Propane heaters and stoves
- Gasoline and diesel powered generators
- Any boat with an engine
Risks for exposure to carbon monoxide include:
- Children riding in the back of enclosed pickup trucks (particularly high risk)
- Using heating sources or electric generators during power outages
- Those working indoors with combustion engines or combustible gases
- Swimming near or under the stern or swim-step of a boat with the boat engine running
- Back drafting when a boat is operated at a high bow angle
- Mooring next to a boat that is running a generator or engine
- Improper boat ventilation
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms
Exposure to carbon monoxide is most commonly accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms, fatigue
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Impaired judgment
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Drowsiness
- Visual changes
- Fainting
- Seizure
- Memory and walking problems
