Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer Cleveland OH
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer that results from breathing in carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in wrongful death or severe personal injuries, including permanent brain injury. There are many sources of carbon monoxide poisoning, including exhaust from cars, trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, furnaces, grills, gas ranges, water heaters, and clothes dryers. Virtually any equipment that releases fumes from a combustible energy source creates carbon monoxide. CO poisoning results in over 20,000 emergency department visits each year in the U.S. The rate of exposure increases in the winter when portable generators are used during power outages, as a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer Cleveland OH relies on can tell you.
Generally speaking, a carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuit is considered a premises liability case. It arises by virtue of a business owner or homeowner failing to take proper precautions to prevent a carbon monoxide leak or to have a CO monitor to warn persons lawfully on the premises of a CO leak. Modern building codes require CO monitors to be functioning and prevalent in order to detect evidence of a carbon monoxide leak at the earliest possible moment in order to alert occupants.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Heavy exposure will result in loss of consciousness, cardiac arrhythmia, seizure and death. Non-fatal exposures can result in heart damage and severe brain damage with long-term effects on intellectual, cognitive and behavioral function. Certain people are at greater risk of injury, including infants, children, the elderly, and people with heart disease. CO cannot be seen and does not carry an odor to alert dwelling occupants about its presence. It is also initially non-irritating. Once it is in the bloodstream, it alters the blood to prevent oxygen from getting to vital organs.
If you or a loved one suspects that they have sustained CO poisoning, this is a medical emergency that should be reported via a 911 emergency call. You should get into fresh air as quickly as possible. It is important to call the local Poison Control Center immediately.
Liability from CO poisoning may arise from a failure to eliminate sources of carbon monoxide from the home, such as failure to properly vent exhaust fumes or using generators or heat sources that are not approved for use indoors. Failure to have a carbon monoxide alarm may also give rise to a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one suffers severe personal injury or wrongful death as a result of CO poisoning, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. In the State of Ohio, the statute of limitations for premises liability lawsuits is two years. However, it is important to contact a personal injury or wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible after an exposure so that he or she can preserve evidence. To learn more, contact a carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer Cleveland OH residents recommend from the Mishkind Kulwicki Law Firm today.
Long-Term Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
People who are exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning for long periods of time can experience serious complications. Here are some of the long-term health effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Brain damage. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can cause various types of brain damage. People who have been exposed to this gas may have difficulty concentrating and memory problems. Others may develop Parkinsonism, which can lead to tremors, stiffness and impaired speech.
- Heart disease. Believe it or not, being exposed to carbon monoxide for long periods of time can lead to heart disease. The oxygen deprivation from carbon monoxide can reduce the heart’s pumping capacity and impair heart function.
- Harm to unborn babies. Pregnant women who are exposed to carbon monoxide for a long time can cause severe harm to their unborn babies. These babies may be severely underweight when born or experience behavioral problems. In severe cases, carbon monoxide exposure can cause stillbirth.
Liable Parties for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Property owners are responsible for making sure their premises are safe. This includes ensuring the carbon monoxide detectors work. Otherwise, they could be held liable if someone suffers carbon monoxide poisoning.
Liable parties may include landlords, hotels, retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Treatments for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Individuals who have been exposed to carbon monoxide must get outside as soon as possible. Then, it is important to seek medical attention right away. A doctor can assess how much carbon dioxide you have in your bloodstream and then recommend the appropriate treatment.
A doctor may initially treat you with oxygen through a ventilator, which disperses oxygen back into your body. It may also be necessary to undergo hyperbaric therapy, which requires you to be in a pressurized oxygen chamber.
Common Damages for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. What happened to you was unjust and you deserve to be compensated for that. It is important to discuss your case with a carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer in Cleveland, OH promptly.
You may be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering that resulted from your carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t wait to go after the compensation you are entitled to.