Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of death by poisoning in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) define it as a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and poisonous gas. Due to these characteristics, carbon monoxide is mostly a ‘silent killer’ whose prolonged exposure often leads to death. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when a person inhales carbon monoxide for an extended period, and the toxic gas overpowers oxygen and accumulates in the bloodstream. Consequently, the low oxygen levels lead to organs failure or damage and ultimately the person’s death. Even though carbon monoxide poisoning is rare, it is one of the most complicated conditions to treat.  

Besides affecting humans, carbon monoxide poisoning also affects animals, including pets. Carbon monoxide leaks are usually due to improper ventilation in rooms and a lack of carbon monoxide detectors. In addition to death, exposure to carbon monoxide may also cause serious injuries, including organ damage and potential heart attack. 

Where a carbon monoxide leak due to someone else’s negligence injures you or leads to the wrongful death of a loved one, you are entitled to compensation. If you are in Sacramento, California, our well-qualified and experienced Sacramento carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers at Heidari Law Group will help you recover damages for your injuries. 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

Some of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Weakness
• Blurred vision
• Confusion

Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous for intoxicated, resting, or sleeping individuals. Essentially, carbon monoxide exposure usually leads to a state of unconsciousness that is hard to detect for people in such conditions. In many cases, they suffer severe injuries or even death without realizing the cause.

Long Term Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Besides the immediate signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, victims may also have to deal with long-term effects or health complications, including:

• Possibility of a heart attack
• Possibility of getting vertigo (a disease that makes one feel as if the room is constantly spinning)
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Memory problems
• Death to unborn babies
• Chest pains
• Damage to lungs
• Organ damage

People Most at Risk for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Even though everyone is at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, some people are at an increased risk, and exposure to carbon monoxide can be hazardous for them, including:

• Children: Children have smaller lungs and need to breathe much quicker than adults to keep their bodies oxygenated. The increased breathing rate makes them susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Older adults: Older adults may already be immune-compromised, and exposure to carbon monoxide is likely to lead to severe injuries, including brain damage or even death.
• Unborn babies: unborn babies need more oxygen and so are more susceptible to breathing in carbon monoxide
• Patients with a chronic heart condition: This group is likely to have breathing problems due to heart disease, hence an increased risk of severe injuries or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Legal Liability in a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuit

Each carbon monoxide poisoning case is unique, including who is at fault or liable for the accident. Some of the parties that may be at fault for a carbon monoxide poisoning accident include:

• Manufacturers of defective carbon monoxide detectors
• Companies that install faulty carbon monoxide detectors
• Employers who fail to install proper carbon monoxide detectors
• Hotels that fail to install proper carbon monoxide detectors
• Car mechanics who fail to inspect and maintain car engines
• Landlords who fail to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. It is a requirement in some states.

In a carbon monoxide lawsuit, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning potential, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and funeral and burial costs. You can also recover punitive damages.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

While you cannot wholly prevent accidents from happening, there are some steps you can take to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

1. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home: Ensure regular maintenance of the carbon monoxide detectors, including replacing batteries twice a year. The new digital carbon monoxide detectors have screens that make it easy for homeowners to read alerts and maintenance reminders. 
2. Avoid placing a generator inside your home. Otherwise, it should be in a well-ventilated area.
3. Ensure that your generator is connected to a carbon monoxide detector to allow the detector to function even without electricity.
4. Do not burn charcoal indoors as it can lead to carbon monoxide accumulating in a closed area.
5. If you have a chimney, carry out annual maintenance checks to allow for proper ventilation and to avoid carbon monoxide from getting trapped in the chimney.
6. If you smell some odor in your home, call a carbon monoxide expert to check for carbon monoxide leaks in any of your home appliances. 
7. Open your garage door when starting your car. Cars are also the number one cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.
8. Use gas appliances rather than electric appliances. Gas appliances give off an apparent smell when there is a carbon monoxide leak.

Contact a Sacramento Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer

Carbon monoxide poisoning often results in severe injuries or even death. These injuries may require lengthy and costly medical care. The injuries may also prevent a victim from working for a long time or permanently. If you are a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning due to another’s negligence, you can recover damages. However, these types of claims are often complex hence the need to have a skilled carbon monoxide poisoning attorney by your side.

If you are in Sacramento, CA, and you or a loved one is a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, we are here for you. Our skilled Sacramento carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers at Heidari Law Group have extensive experience helping clients in similar cases. We will guide you through the legal process as we help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. We will also help you pursue wrongful death claims if you lost a loved one in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. Contact us for a free case evaluation and to learn more about our services.

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