Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorneys
The Center for Disease Control estimates that nearly 20,000 Americans visit hospital emergency rooms every year for carbon monoxide poisoning treatment. Five hundred people die annually from this lethal gas. Many others suffer injury but do not seek treatment because they do not know that they have been exposed. If you or a loved one has been from carbon monoxide gas, you should contact the Law Offices of Bailey & Partners as soon as possible. In many cases, exposure to this deadly gas is the result of someone else’s negligence. Our experienced carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys will aggressively fight to protect your rights and hold the responsible party accountable. In a recent case, Bailey & Partners negotiated a one million dollar settlement for two clients that were poisoned by a defective apartment heater.
What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) is an extremely dangerous gas that is colorless and odorless and often goes undetected. Although carbon monoxide gas is “invisible” it can produce devastating injuries and can also be fatal. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon fuels. When a person is exposed, the gas enters the body through the lungs and is absorbed by hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Once in the bloodstream, CO interferes with the red blood cell’s ability to carry oxygen, causing damage to the heart, brain, and other vital organs.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide gas is produced from various sources found in the home and workplace. The most common sources include the following:
• motor vehicle, boat, and aircraft exhaust
• defective heating systems, such as furnaces, water heaters, wood burning stoves, space heaters, or poorly vented fireplaces
• smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes
• gas powered tools, such as lawnmowers, snowblowers and leafblowers
• defective appliances, such as gas ovens or ranges, propane refrigerators, and gas dryers
• camping equipment, such as propane lanterns and stoves
• barbeques
• burning of waste products
• natural sources, such as forest fires, marsh gases, and mine gases
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms
In extreme cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim may lose consciousness. However the symptoms in most cases of exposure may take days, weeks, or even months to notice. Some exposures are often misdiagnosed as the flu, allergies, food poisoning, or even psychological problems. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include any of the following:
• difficulty with memory and mental focus
• forgetfulness
• headaches and nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• change in behavior
• depression or anxiety
• fatigue
• flu-like symptoms
• shortness of breath
• impaired judgment
• chest pain
• confusion
• hallucinations
• abdominal pain
• drowsiness
• fainting
• seizures
Who is Liable for your Injuries?
Most injuries caused by carbon monoxide occur because of someone else’s negligence, such as a poorly installed or defectively manufactured furnace. The experienced attorneys at Bailey & Partners will be able to evaluate whether or not your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence. Possible responsible parties could include any of the following:
• manufacturers and retailers of defective products (such as improperly designed or manufactured furnaces and gas heaters or products that have inadequate warnings)
• repair companies or personnel who improperly repair carbon monoxide producing products
• landlords or property owners who fail to repair or replace damaged furnaces or appliances
• utility companies who neglect to timely check on possible carbon monoxide problems and repair them
• contractors and builders who improperly design or construct residential or commercial structures that have exhaust problems or malfunctioning heating systems.
California Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorney
Exposure to carbon monoxide is very dangerous. Serious injuries can result, including permanent brain damage or even death. If you suspect that you or a loved one has been exposed and poisoned by carbon monoxide gas, you should call the experienced carbon monoxide injury attorneys at Bailey & Partners. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other possible damages.
