Los Angeles Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyers

Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers represents carbon monoxide poisoning victims. Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has suffered carbon monoxide poisoning due to the negligence of someone else.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer and the most common form of poisoning death in the United States. It can be the result of improperly vented, malfunctioning or faulty home appliances. An experienced carbon monoxide lawyer at our firm can help to determine if your carbon monoxide exposure was the result of another party disregarding required safety standards.

We have been handling carbon monoxide poisoning cases since 1990 and have recovered over $750,000,000 for clients. We have vast experience in handling these cases which will allow us to recover the most compensation possible for you.

We will not charge any fee to handle your carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuit until and unless we recover financial compensation on your behalf. Our only fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, so our carbon monoxide attorneys will not charge you any out-of-pocket fee or upfront fee.

Serious consequences can result from carbon monoxide poisoning. It can lead to permanent injuries. Managers and property owners have a legal requirement to take action in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide due to the negligence of a manager or property owner, they could get held liable for your damages.

Call us today for a free consultation, text us from this page or fill out this page’s free case evaluation form if you or a loved one has been exposed to carbon monoxide. We can help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, physical or psychological therapy, pain, suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of quality of life, long-term care, wrongful death and more.

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is tasteless, odorless and colorless. Inhalation of this gas may be life-threatening. The substance gets produced when fuels like kerosene, natural gas, coal, gasoline or wood are combusted.

Dangers include:

• Oxygen deprivation: CO binds to your blood’s hemoglobin. This reduces how much oxygen gets carried to your organs. This may cause organ damage, including heart and brain damage.
• Death: Inhalation of high CO levels can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, coma or death within just minutes. Those who are drunk or sleeping can die from CO poisoning prior to feeling symptoms.
• Risk factors: Those with health problems like lung and heart disease have a higher risk of being harmed. Others at a higher risk of being harmed include older adults, pregnant women, children and infants.

Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in LA

CO gets produced when fuels burn. Dangerous CO levels get generated when devices burning fuel operate in an inefficient manner, failing to completely burn off fuel.

The risk of CO poisoning is higher during the winter since people, even in Los Angeles, use heaters more often in the winter.

Common CO sources include:

• Car exhausts
• Furnaces
• Stoves
• Fireplaces
• Running engines
• Portable power generators
• Indoor hot water services
• Patio heater
• Barbeques
• Gas cooking appliances
• Wood-fired heaters
• Camping equipment
• Gas heaters

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Mayo Clinic, include:

• Weakness
• Headache
• Vomiting or nausea
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of muscle control

Once someone has recovered from CO poisoning, they may experience symptoms related to the brain and nervous system. Older people and those who lose consciousness during the exposure to CO are especially susceptible to these symptoms, which may include:

• Movement issues
• Personality changes
• Memory loss

Carbon Monoxide Lawsuit

You may qualify for a carbon monoxide lawsuit or carbon monoxide poisoning settlement if you have been harmed by carbon monoxide and are capable of proving that it was the fault of another party.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas which may get produced by burning fuels such as natural gas, wood or gasoline. It can be found in vehicles and home appliances.

There are numerous reasons why carbon monoxide lawsuits may get filed:

• Defective products: If poisoning was the result of a defective product, such as a car part, RV, generator or appliance, a lawsuit can be filed against the product manufacturer or retailer.
• Landlord-tenant issues: When tenants are poisoned by carbon monoxide because of problems in buildings, landlords or building maintenance companies could be liable. These lawsuits would be negligence lawsuits, filed because someone failed to exercise reasonable care. As an example, property managers or landlords could get held liable should they fail to maintain ventilation systems or heating equipment and a carbon monoxide leak occurs.
• No carbon monoxide detectors: Should there be a lack of carbon monoxide detectors, or the detectors weren’t properly working, this may be a reason for a lawsuit to be filed.

In order to successfully build a claim, you will have to document your exposure as well as its effects. This may include expert opinions, witness testimony and medical records.

You will need evidence such as:

• Medical evidence, such as blood tests showing elevated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in your blood
• CO poisoning symptoms like loss of consciousness, blurred vision, confusion, shortness of breath, vomiting, nausea, weakness or dizziness
• Evidence that high levels of CO were in the environment

An experienced personal injury attorney at our firm can help you to organize your information and build a strong case.

Can I Sue My Landlord for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Yes, you may be able to sue your landlord over CO poisoning should you be capable of providing that your exposure was the result of a malfunctioning system or appliance on the property which the landlord knew or should have known about yet failed to repair. This includes failure to properly maintain CO detectors. These claims are typically premises liability claims involving landlords having duties to maintain tenants’ safe living conditions.

Rental properties usually contain fixtures or items which emit CO, like water heaters, ranges, heating systems and chimneys. If these items are not properly ventilated, or if they malfunction, CO can accumulate.

Attached garages can also be an issue in rental properties, since CO from these garages can leak into sleeping and living areas.

Landlords are typically required to maintain and install CO detectors in their rental properties. When malfunctioning detectors lead to CO poisoning, landlords can be held liable.

You’ll need to be able to demonstrate a landlord knew about or should have known about a problem which caused CO to build up, yet failed to take reasonable action to fix it.

Before you take any legal action, consult with our experienced personal injury lawyers. We have significant experience handling landlord-tenant disputes and can assess your case, helping you to understand the legal options you have.

How Do You Prove Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be confirmed by measuring how much carboxyhemoglobin is in your blood. A blood test confirms this and should be done as quickly as possible following exposure. A lab in a hospital usesa CO-oximeter, a multiple wavelength spectrophotometer, to analyze your blood. This tests measures how much carbon monoxide is bound to your blood’s hemoglobin.

Other ways poisoning can be confirmed are:

• Fingertip oximeter: Your COHb levels can be measured via a fingertip pulse CO-oximeter.
• Physical exam: A medical professional might check for mental status changes.
• Chest X-ray: A medical professional might order an X-ray of the chest.
• Neurological and heart tests: A medical professional might order neurological and heart tests.

Should you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Get outside: Get outside and breathe some fresh air if you experience symptoms.
• Call your fire department: The presence of carbon monoxide can be confirmed by emergency personnel, who can identify the source as well as tell you if it is safe for you to go back inside.
• Seek medical attention: If you suspect you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, see your GP if you think the levels were low, or go to the ER if you suspect you’ve been exposed to high carbon monoxide levels. Treatment may involve inhaling pure oxygen to offset carbon monoxide buildup in your body. It may take up to 24 hours for the carbon monoxide to exit your body.

AirBNB and Hotel Liability in CO Poisoning Cases

Owners of hotels and AirBNB properties are duty bound to provide safe environments for guests to stay in. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for CO poisoning.

In California, owners of hotels and AirBNB rentals have a requirement to make sure carbon monoxide detectors are installed in any rooms which contain fuel burning appliances. Landlords must also inspect as well as upkeep them on a regular basis to make sure they work correctly. Owners of hotels and AirBNB rentals can be held liable for CO poisoning if they fail to install or maintain CO detectors in rooms which have fuel burning appliances.

Owners and managers of hotels and AirBNB rentals can also be held liable, for example, when improper repairs or service of gas lines lead to CO being released.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

To prevent CO poisoning:

• Install CO detectors near areas where people sleep
• Check fuel-burning appliances and heating systems each year
• Avoid using combustion appliances which aren’t vented
• Never burn any fuels inside except in devices made for safe usage
• Be attentive to potential CO poisoning symptoms

Who Is Most At-Risk from CO Poisoning?

Everybody is at risk of experiencing CO poisoning. However, those at higher risk include:

• Those living with respiratory problems, anemia or chronic heart disease
• Older adults
• Unborn children

What to Do If You’re Experiencing CO Poisoning Symptoms

If you are experiencing the symptoms of CO poisoning:

• Get fresh air by leaving the home.
• Call emergency services such as 911.
• See a healthcare professional.
• If you know the source of the CO, if possible, turn it off.

Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one have experienced CO poisoning due to someone else’s negligence.

Compensation for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If you or a loved one has suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, our law firm can help you recover financial compensation for:

Medical Bills

You are probably already facing medical bills for your poisoning, and you may face more bills in the future if you need future treatment. We can help you recover compensation for all past and future medical expenses related to your poisoning. This includes compensation for prescription medications, hospital bills, ongoing care and physical therapy.

Lost Wages

We can help you recover financial compensation for any income lost while you recover from your poisoning. This includes compensation for time missed from work due to being too sick to work and time missed from work due to having to go to medical appointments.

Loss of Earning Capacity

If your poisoning has permanently affected your ability to earn yourself a living, such as by causing a disability or impairment, we can help you recover compensation for the loss or reduction of your earning capacity that resulted.

Pain and Suffering

We can help you recover financial compensation for any emotional distress or physical pain caused by your poisoning. These damages can be difficult to calculate on our own, but our lawyers have over 30 years of experience in accurately calculating the value of these damages.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

We can help you recover compensation if your injuries prevent you from enjoying day-to-day activities or hobbies.

Punitive Damages

While these will not be awarded in every case, if the defendant’s conduct was reckless, intentional or especially egregious, you may receive punitive damages.

Wrongful Death

If you lost a loved one due to carbon monoxide poisoning, we can help you recover compensation which will help to make sure your family doesn’t have to go through financial hardship. We’ll make sure your funeral and burial costs are paid for. We’ll make sure your loved one’s medical bills are paid for. We’ll get you compensated for the pain and suffering your loved one endured. We’ll get you compensated for the loss of your loved one’s income, companionship, love, spousal benefits and household services. We’ll make sure you get paid for your grieving and suffering.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

The settlement amounts in carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuits can widely vary depending upon injury severity. No single average payout amount can be given for these cases due to their highly variable natures. Minor cases may see tens of thousands of dollars involved. Moderate cases may see hundreds of thousands of dollars involved. Severe cases involving severe injuries, permanent damage or death may involve millions of dollars. It’s vital to have a consultation with a legal professional in order to assess your situation.

Examples of carbon monoxide poisoning settlements include:

• $28.5 million in a Wisconsin case which involved serious carbon monoxide poisoning and brain damage due to an apartment furnace which was faulty
• $2.5 million involving a truck driver who, while driving, was exposed to carbon monoxide
• $2 million for a Colorado father and son who got poisoned due to a faulty furnace

Key points regarding lawsuits like these include:

• Exposure severity: The carbon monoxide level in the blood and the severity of the injuries are the most important factors which impact settlement amounts. Long-term health consequences like neurological damage, permanent brain damage, or deaths, will lead to larger settlements.
• Exposure length: The injury severity can be impacted by how long the carbon monoxide exposure occurred.
• Liability: The level of responsibility attributed to the defendant, like a product manufacturer or landlord, will be a factor determining the size of the settlement.
• Case specifics: Every case is unique. Factors such as the jurisdiction, pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses will impact the final settlement size.

Important things to consider:

• Evidence is crucial: Gathering details regarding the incident, evidence of the carbon monoxide exposure’s source, and medical records will be crucial when building a solid case.
• Consult with a lawyer: If you or a loved one is a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is vital to consult with an attorney to find out about your legal options as well as possible compensation.

Statute of Limitations on Los Angeles Carbon Monoxide Lawsuits

There is a two year deadline from the injury date to sue people over injuries in California. This deadline is called a statute of limitations and failure to take legal action within a period of two years can forever bar you from recovering compensation.

Within this two year time frame, you’ll need to fill out then submit the necessary paperwork in the civil court system and pay a filing fee. This can be a complicated process which our lawyers can help you with.

There are exceptions to this deadline. Some of the exceptions shorten the deadline while others can extend it. Call us today for a free consultation to find out if you qualify to file a lawsuit over your poisoning.

Contact a Los Angeles Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer Today

Call our lawyers today for a free case evaluation if you or a loved one suffered carbon monoxide poisoning due to someone else’s negligence. We have been helping victims of exposure to hazardous substances like carbon monoxide, asbestos and silica dust since 1990. We won’t charge any fee to handle your CO case until and unless we recover compensation for you, so there’s no risk behind calling us since you’ll never owe us a single penny out-of-pocket. Call us today.