Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Injury Lawyers

It seems every year when the cold weather strikes, we hear about another tragedy involving an individual or family who was killed due to carbon monoxide poisoning when their furnace malfunctioned or was improperly vented.

Thankfully, many very basic preventative measures can be employed to drastically reduce this deadly situation from occurring or identify danger at its onset (carbon monoxide detector).  A basic understanding of gas dangers is vital to protect people from harm to keep families safe.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC appreciates the hazards associated with carbon monoxide poisoning that people face every day. Our attorneys work hard to investigate all carbon monoxide poisoning cases to ensure all parties are held responsible for their role in an incident.

What is CO? How is CO made?

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it is odorless, tasteless and colorless but deadly. The gas is released when fossil fuels like oil are burned in open fires, gas stovetops, ovens and furnaces. In confined areas, the gas can cause sickness and even death. The best way to prevent gas poisoning to protect yourself, your family and home is to avoid exposure to this noxious gas.

Effect Of Carbon Monoxide Exposure On The Body

Carbon monoxide is formed when a fossil fuel such as gasoline, oil or charcoal is not completely combusted during burning to create carbon dioxide. When inhaled, this gas combines with hemoglobin in the person’s blood, blocking their ability to carry needed oxygen to the cells of the body. By inhaling large quantities of this gas, the body begins to suffocate even though the person is still breathing in air.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Depending on the amount of carbon monoxide in the air, the symptoms can come on within minutes or be delayed for a few hours. Poisoning can happen with lower exposures over a more extended period or substantial exposure in a short amount of time. In severe cases, death can occur in as little as a few minutes. The general symptoms, in the order of severity, are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Brain Damage
• Convulsions / respiratory arrest
• Unconsciousness / Death

Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause long-term effects. Often, delayed neurological disorders happen a few days or weeks after the exposure. These delayed effects can include amnesia, short-term memory loss, dementia and other neurological disorders.

Treatment For Carbon Monoxide Ingestion

The obvious first treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning is removal from the gas or area of exposure. For slight exposure, this will alleviate the symptoms within a few hours. However, for more severe exposure, oxygen is administered to hasten the depletion of the gas in the body. By using oxygen through a ventilation mask, carbon monoxide will leave the body in one-quarter the time it would take breathing normal air. Other treatments may be needed for damage done to the brain and other organs from oxygen deprivation.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Build-Up In Homes And Apartments

Since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, it cannot be easily detected. The best prevention for homes that use gas or oil furnaces is to install detectors in all rooms of the house. These are inexpensive and will give off an alarm if the levels become too high in the house. Other prevention methods are:

• Never burn a charcoal grill inside an enclosed home or garage. Every year when the power goes out someone tries to dangerously heat or cook using a grill indoors.
• Never allow your car to idle within an enclosed area.
• Always use the fan above gas stoves when cooking
• Always have chimneys, furnaces, and fireplaces inspected before winter

Approximately 15,000 people are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and an average of 500 people die from the CO exposure. Do not let you or one of your family become one of these statistics.