Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious health risk that can have life-threatening repercussions for a victim, including permanent injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at home, in the workplace or anywhere else in San Marcos, contact the attorneys at Hill Law Firm to find out if you are eligible for financial compensation. If one or more parties should have prevented your carbon monoxide poisoning, they may be financially responsible for your medical bills and other losses.
San Marcos Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Resources
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Why Choose Our Attorney?
What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Where Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Occur?
Types of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Potential Damages in a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Case
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Accident
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Why Choose Our San Marcos Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorney?
- We understand how carbon monoxide cases work. Our attorneys have many years of experience across different personal injury practice areas.
- Our lawyers are dedicated to achieving top results for their clients. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts over the years.
- We handle carbon monoxide poisoning cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will only pay your San Marcos personal injury attorney if we succeed in securing financial compensation for your losses.
What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a poisonous gas that is created when fuel burns inefficiently. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless, making it difficult to detect. If CO is inhaled, it can replace the oxygen in a victim’s body. Prolonged exposure can lead to a lack of oxygen getting to the vital organs, potentially harming the brain, heart and other parts of the body. If left untreated, carbon monoxide poisoning can eventually cause death.
The signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Cardiac arrest
- Confusion or disorientation
- Respiratory failure
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Death
If any potential signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are present, it is imperative to immediately leave the room and get fresh air. The body needs to replace the oxygen that has been lost. Then, go to a hospital for professional medical care. Call 911 or your local emergency medical services for immediate treatment. If someone has stopped breathing, start CPR and do not stop until they are breathing on their own or a professional comes to take over.
Where Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Occur?Â
Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in places where CO is being produced and emitted into the air, such as if a broken appliance sends this toxic gas into an enclosed room. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion, meaning it is produced whenever something burns. If an appliance or piece of equipment is not burning efficiently or there is a gas leak, CO poisoning can occur.
Enclosed spaces where the accumulation of CO could cause serious injuries include:Â
- Homes
- HotelsÂ
- Airbnbs
- GaragesÂ
- OfficesÂ
- Commercial buildings
- Daycare centers
- SchoolsÂ
- Group care homes
- Nursing homes
Carbon monoxide poisoning can often be prevented with frequent inspections and proper maintenance of any fuel-burning appliance, as well as the installation of carbon monoxide detectors. Wood-burning ovens, charcoal grills, coal-burning appliances and fuel-burning engines should not be used indoors without proper ventilation.
Types of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
When a victim is exposed to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, he or she could inhale this toxic gas and eventually suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. There are three stages or types of this illness:
- Acute poisoning: sudden (but not prolonged) exposure to a large amount of carbon monoxide, where the victim is immediately treated by a doctor. Acute poisoning can cause headaches or cardiac arrest, as well as potential neurological effects.
- Chronic poisoning: steady or prolonged exposure to a low amount of carbon monoxide. This can happen if there is a slow CO leak. Chronic low-level CO exposure can make pre-existing conditions worse and have long-term health risks.Â
- Fatal poisoning: a case of carbon monoxide poisoning that is so extreme that it causes the death of the victim. This can occur when the carbon monoxide steadily builds up in the victim’s bloodstream until the concentration is high enough to lead to a total loss of oxygen.
The amount of time a victim is exposed to carbon monoxide and the amount of CO in the atmosphere can determine the type of poisoning experienced, as well as the health effects for victims.
Potential Damages in a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Case
The law requires property owners, employers, daycare centers, nursing homes and other facilities to have carbon monoxide detectors. Unfortunately, property owners often fail to keep their properties safe. In other cases, carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by a defective product leaking gas. Both of these situations are examples of times when the victim could receive financial compensation for CO poisoning with a personal injury lawsuit. Â
The compensation that may be available includes:
- Past and future medical billsÂ
- Lost wagesÂ
- Physical pain and emotional sufferingÂ
- Travel or transportation
- Attorney’s fees
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Punitive damages
Discuss the potential value of your personal injury claim for a case of carbon monoxide poisoning with an attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurance company. While an insurer may try to reduce your financial recovery, your lawyer will work hard to negotiate for maximum compensation on your behalf. This can include taking your case to trial in San Marcos, if necessary.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Carbon Monoxide Incident
Unfortunately, some victims pass away from severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. This can occur if carbon monoxide goes unnoticed and continues to poison victims over a prolonged amount of time, or in a severe case of chronic CO poisoning. Certain vulnerable populations are more prone to life-threatening cases of CO poisoning, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with pre-existing conditions.Â
Texas law allows families to file wrongful death claims after the death of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, including a preventable case of fatal CO poisoning. With a San Marcos wrongful death lawsuit, your family may be eligible for financial compensation for losses such as reasonable funeral and burial costs, mental anguish, grief, final medical bills, and lost wages or inheritance.
Speak to a San Marcos Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer Today
Carbon monoxide poisoning cases can be complicated. Our attorneys at Hill Law Firm Can help you work through a personal injury or wrongful death claim to pursue the justice and financial compensation that you deserve. We have the resources and commitment that you need during this difficult time. Contact our lawyers for a free case consultation at (210) 762-4396 or send us a message online and we will get back to you as soon as possible.