Motel Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer

Whether you’re on a road trip or out of town for business, motels provide practical and cheap accommodations for the weary traveler. When you check into a motel, you have the right to expect that the premises are clean and safe. For example, many “budget” lodgings like motels rely on fuel-burning appliances that put people at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Motel owners must take certain precautions, like installing CO detectors in the rooms and corridors.

Motels are prone to all sorts of accidents, like slip and falls and drownings. But carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC, especially in settings like hotels, motels, and hostels. Unlike most chemicals, CO is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, so there’s no way to tell when it’s in the air. This is particularly dangerous at night, when most people are asleep and unlikely to wake up as the gas works its way into their bloodstream. Tragically, many of these victims die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Did you suffer health complications or lose a loved one from carbon monoxide poisoning at a motel? If so, contact us right away to speak with a motel carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer. We can advise you of your rights and help you claim the compensation you are owed.

Legal Protections for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Victims

The dangers of CO poisoning are recognized in California under the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act. This legislation requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors on properties with fuel-burning devices, which include:

• Generators
• Space heaters
• Boilers
• Water heaters
• Gas cooking ranges
• Charcoal grills
• Wood-burning stoves
• Fireplaces
• Chimneys
• Pool heaters

While it’s a well-known fact that carbon monoxide detectors save lives, a motel owner may skip this easy and affordable step just to save a few dollars. They may also be negligent when it comes to the care and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, which can cause deadly levels of carbon monoxide in a motel.

How do I know if I have Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Since you can’t see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide in the air, it’s essential to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning. As the gas builds up in your bloodstream, it will replace the oxygen in your blood, which will produce a number of life-threatening health conditions. Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Breathing problems (shortness of breath)
• Loss of consciousness

As previously mentioned, the effects of CO are especially dangerous when people are sleeping. That’s why each room in a motel must be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector when there are fuel-burning appliances on the premises. Please be aware this is a medical emergency, even if the early symptoms are subtle. Exit the property right away if you suspect a carbon monoxide leak and seek medical attention from the nearest emergency room.
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Can I Sue the Motel for a Case of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Yes, you can file a lawsuit if an act of negligence by the motel caused you or your loved one to suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. Monetary compensation is essential to recovering from the effects of CO poisoning, which are especially harmful to babies, young children, the elderly, and those with blood, heart, and respiratory disorders. Depending on the level of exposure, victims may develop lifelong injuries, such as brain damage, heart damage, and miscarriage / still birth.

As a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning at a motel, you may be entitled to the following damages, which we can help you obtain:

• Cost of medical treatments and rehabilitative services
• Lost wages, including future lost wages and lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Legal fees
• Punitive damages

Many claimants assume that they are only entitled to medical expenses. But a carbon monoxide poisoning incident will leave you with various financial and emotional losses. We can determine which damages apply to your case and fight to bring you maximum payment from the responsible party.

Can I Sue if my Loved One Died from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Fatality from CO poisoning still takes place on a regular basis throughout the United States. If your family member, spouse, or registered domestic partner died at a motel from carbon monoxide poisoning, please give us a call to speak with a California wrongful death attorney. A lawsuit for wrongful death can help you recover:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of expected savings / benefits
• Legal fees

Wrongful death cases are very difficult to prove, so you should not undertake this type of legal action without help from an experienced attorney. Our law firm has many years of experience in the recovery of settlements for surviving spouses and family members. We are more than ready to take on your case and ensure that justice is achieved on behalf of your loved one.

Average Case Value of a Motel Carbon Monoxide Claim

Due to the varying levels of harm that can result from CO poisoning, there’s no way to come up with an average value that applies to these cases in general. We can say for sure that the damages are significant in these lawsuits, and large settlements are not uncommon. In fact, verdicts and settlements in the last 10 years are often in the $2 million to $10 million range.

High values are typically associated with lifelong complications, like permanent brain or heart damage. These cases often involve punitive damages, which are awarded by the court as a form of punishment for gross negligence. Let’s say, for example, that a motel has an antiquated boiler that they’ve failed to replace for many years. In addition, the motel has neglected to maintain their CO detectors (replacing the batteries, testing them to make sure they work). If guests at the motel end up with carbon monoxide poisoning, the level of neglect by the owner may prompt the jury to award punitive damages, which are an additional payment on top of a victim’s compensation award.

Though punitive damages may not apply to your case, our lawyers will explore every possible avenue to increase your payment. If you’re ready to take action on a motel carbon monoxide poisoning claim, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

How long do I have to File a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for a CO poisoning lawsuit is two years in the state of California. As the injured party, your two-year window begins on the date of exposure, unless your injuries from the incident manifest at a later date. If so, you have two years from the date of discovering your injury to take legal action against the motel. On the other hand, if you are suing for wrongful death compensation, you have two years to file a lawsuit from the date of your loved one’s death. Keep in mind that the courts rarely make an exception to the statute of limitations. If you do not file your lawsuit on time, it’s unlikely that you will be given more time to seek monetary damages. Don’t delay on claiming the funds you are entitled to; contact Normandie Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation.

How long do these Cases take to Settle?

Just like we’ve mentioned with case values, it’s difficult to determine an average amount of time to settle a motel carbon monoxide poisoning case. Whenever we take on a personal injury case, it’s our goal to recover the client’s damages within 6 to 8 months from the filing of an injury claim. But we can’t predict the number of complications that may arise, which can take months to resolve. Twelve to 18 months may be a more realistic timeline to negotiate a settlement, depending on the degree of bodily harm. If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated and the claim proceeds to a lawsuit, the case resolution process can take two years or longer.

Free Second Opinion

Our lawyers are here for you if you need a second opinion on an existing injury or wrongful death claim against a motel. Many people consult another doctor when they’re given a medical diagnosis or treatment plan. Lawyers provide a similar service if you need verification or clarity on certain issues in your case. We can also assist you if you’re unhappy with your lawyer and need advice on switching attorneys in the middle of a claim. Please be assured that there is no pressure to transfer your case to us. Our job is to offer an honest assessment of your legal options and let you make the decision for yourself. Our second opinions are completely free, so there’s no risk in scheduling a time to speak with us.

Call us for a Free Case Review

Deaths and severe injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning continue to be a problem in our country’s hotels, motels, and resorts. This is unacceptable when most of these accidents could have been prevented with regular maintenance and installation of CO detectors. This is part of a motel owner’s duty of care, which you are owed as a paying guest on their property.

If negligence or misconduct by the motel owner or staff caused you to suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, contact our attorneys for a free case review. This is a completely free consultation, where we can discuss your legal options and the strategies for bringing you justice. You will also receive a Zero fee guarantee, which means you pay absolutely nothing to hire us. Our expenses are paid by the motel along with your settlement award, so the deal is, we don’t get paid unless you get paid.

We are ready to speak with you 24/7, so please contact us to learn about the ways we can assist you.

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