Those who have been harmed by exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning should know that there are routes to take that can yield monetary compensation. Legal action is a good choice if you believe you were not at fault for your carbon monoxide poisoning and if you feel that another entity should have done his part to keep you safe and healthy. If another party were negligent in his duties, you could sue for fair restitution. There are many different ways you can become sick, an at first glance, you may not even be aware that you are suffering from CO poisoning. A doctor may misdiagnose you, which can worsen the sickness. With the help of a test that determines your oxygen levels, you can find out if you are afflicted with carbon monoxide poisoning. Our lawyers at Normandie Law Firm, a carbon monoxide exposure law firm in Victorville / Hesperia, are here to ensure that you receive the proper compensation for your carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuit.
Carbon Monoxide Information
Carbon monoxide is formed when fuel sources incompletely burn. These fuel sources can be anything from wood and propane to kerosene and oil. As the carbon is converted into energy, it is efficiently transformed; when the transformation process hits a bump, the carbon is released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon monoxide. It is toxic to humans, and worse, it cannot be outright detected: it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Carbon monoxide poisoning is also not easily detected by physicians; the symptoms can be confused with a number of other sicknesses, including the flu.
When breathed in, carbon monoxide enters your cells and causes them to be deprived of oxygen. This leads to your organs not receiving the oxygen they need, and thus, they are unable to properly function. What’s more, carbon monoxide poisoning does not generally happen overnight; it is a longer process because the presence of CO is often not concentrated enough to cause immediate effects. As time wears on, you may notice that you continue to feel sick.
Causes of CO Poisoning to Look For
Carbon monoxide is not emitted by random sources; the things that emit the gas must have some kind of fuel and energy output. More often than not, a flame of some kind is involved, although it is not required. A few sources for carbon monoxide emissions are:
- Forest Fires: The naturally occurring forest fires and other woodland fires can emit carbon monoxide and other gases. These fires may be controlled burns or they may have begun because of a combination of dry weather and lightning. Regardless, the fumes can waft down into your area and cause you to inhale carbon monoxide. Of course, the widespread and open air may dissipate a lot of the fumes, so it will not result in a severe sickness.
- Marshes, Swamps, and Mines: Similar to forest fires, these naturally occurring spots in nature can also emit gases. However, they are often situated a fair distance from many people; you may only be affected if you are in the immediate vicinity of these areas.
- Vehicles: Cars, trucks, buses, boats, and more can all increase the amount of carbon monoxide that escapes into the air. Most of it travels upward, but if you are in areas that are heavily populated by cars, you very likely will breathe in the carbon monoxide fumes that are emitted by the exhausts. Indoor race tracks, auto repair shops, and automobile factories are also places where these exhaust fumes can cause damage.
- Defective Appliances: Homes that are outfitted with certain appliances may be prime areas for carbon monoxide. The fridges, stoves, ranges, grills, and other appliances could improperly burn fuel, leading to emissions. It is important that you acquire a carbon monoxide detector in your home or request your landlord to provide one that works.
- Defective Products: Other items that you purchase may be defective in some way or have malfunctions. There have been numerous reports of leaf blowers, snow blowers, and lawn mowers emitting carbon monoxide fumes after some use. These items are sometimes kept in basements or garages and the concentration of carbon monoxide can reach high levels, resulting in poisoning if the fumes seep into the home.
- Malfunctioning Heating Systems: The furnace, water heater, space heater, and fireplace in your home can be a cause of carbon monoxide emissions. However, these heating systems can also be present in commercial buildings and workplaces. If there are heating systems that were improperly installed or haven’t been inspected in some time, the risk of CO poisoning greatly rises.
With the help of a CO lawyer in Victorville / Hesperia, you can take legal action against the relevant party if your carbon monoxide poisoning was not your fault and could have been prevented if not for the negligent actions of someone else.
Effects of CO Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause many adverse effects; even small amounts of the gas cause damage to cells, and once the concentration increases, so do the damages. Repeated or long term exposure can be extremely adverse to your health, and you should do all you can to ensure that you will be treated immediately if you are suffering from CO poisoning.
Some symptoms of the sickness include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle weakness
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Loss of balance and coordination
These symptoms may initially look similar to another condition’s, but if you pass out and come to, you should go to the doctor and request a test to examine your oxygen levels. If you do not seek treatment, you may be severely wounded. A doctor will give you pure oxygen or place you in a chamber that will blast oxygen into you as quickly as possible. If you wait too long, you may be afflicted with:
- Persistent headaches
- Memory loss
- Long term cognitive trouble
- Heart trouble
- Lung problems
- Brain damage
- Death
CO poisoning affects over 20,000 people per year. The damages that occur can be permanent, and if you are one of those who have been affected, you may be able to sue for monetary compensation. Contact a Victorville / Hesperia lawyer for carbon monoxide poisoning today.
Legal Action
If you have been sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning, you should take legal action against the responsible party. There are numerous different entities you may be able to hold responsible. For example, if you rented a home from a landlord, the appliances within the house must be safe and fit for people to use. If they emit carbon monoxide, you could sue your landlord if you got sick. Further, a landlord must adhere to the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010, which dictates that all landlords must place carbon monoxide detectors in homes that are meant for human dwelling.
If you get sick while at work, you could potentially sue your employer or the property owner if the heating system were faulty or if there were carbon monoxide emissions elsewhere. A CO exposure poisoning injury lawyer in Victorville / Hesperia can help you choose the right path.
You should know that the statute of limitations on carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury – if you wait too long to file a claim, your lawsuit will likely be thrown out and you will not be able to earn anything at all. An attorney will be able to ensure that you do not miss your deadline for filing a lawsuit.
Compensation You Can Earn
A Victorville / Hesperia attorney experienced in CO exposure lawsuits cccan make sure you earn the following for your injuries:
- Medical expenses from both the past and future, including surgery costs, hospitalization fees, physical therapy costs, medication fees, and more
- Lost wages from both the past and future if you were forced to miss work or will miss work because of your sickness or impending treatments
- Property damage, if your appliances or belongings were defective and needed to be replaced or repaired
- Pain and suffering, or emotional damages, including coverage for anxiety, fear, PTSD, psychological suffering, and more
- Punitive damages, or additional forms of monetary compensation that are meant to punish the defendant; these are usually viewed as excessive, though, and only a skilled attorney can win them
Further, if you choose to file a carbon monoxide wrongful death lawsuit, you could earn additional compensation, such as coverage for funeral expenses, pre-death medical expenses and pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of expected earnings and inheritance, and more.
Do not hesitate to contact one of our Victorville / Hesperia lawyers with expertise in CO poisoning for more assistance.
Normandie’s Role
Our team of attorneys at Normandie Law Firm is skilled in handling carbon monoxide lawsuits. We have dealt with these types of cases for some time, and our lawyers are experienced and well versed in the laws regarding CO. We have seen many other cases and have ample knowledge of the law, and we believe we are the best choice for anyone pursuing legal action against a property owner or landlord for CO poisoning.
Call us today to schedule a free legal consultation with a Victorville / Hesperia lawyer with experience in carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuits. If you have questions about your claim, you can ask them, and we will give you the answers. You should have adequate knowledge of the law before you make any decisions regarding legal action.
By selecting us to represent you, you will also receive a zero fee guarantee on your claim. This promises that your savings will never be touched – our fees will only be taken care of if we win your case. If we lose, you don’t pay us anything at all. It is important to us that your financial integrity stays intact.
For more help, consult with one of our expert attorneys.
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