Running a car or generator in an attached garage can cause fatal CO poisoning in the home. If the cab of a truck is defectively designed, sleeping in the cab while the engine is running can pose a danger. So can using a gas-powered generator or burning wood or charcoal in the basement, crawlspace or even next to a living area if a window or door is open, as lethal fumes could seep into your home.
The best protection against carbon monoxide poisoning in the home is to have a CO detector installed near your bedrooms. Be sure also to have your furnace serviced regularly. To learn more, visit our safety tips page.
Symptoms
of Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning
This
information is largely based on U.S. government publications.
Carbon
monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas. It is therefore
difficult to detect and it is not always evident when it
has become a problem in the home or elsewhere. Sometimes,
victims with a mild-to-moderate carbon monoxide toxicity
problem will find they feel sick while they spend time at
home, but may well feel a bit better outside in fresh air.
If other members of the family have recurring bouts with
flu-like symptoms while fuel-burning appliances are being
used, your house should be immediately checked for carbon
monoxide by a professional.
Low
levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with
flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can
have significant long-term health risks if left untreated.
Moderate levels of CO exposure can cause death if the following
symptoms persist for a long measure of time. High levels
of CO can be fatal causing death within minutes. Symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning include the following
Shortness
of breath
Nausea
Headaches
Dizziness
Light-headedness
If
you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred:
Get
the victim or victims into fresh air immediately.
If
affected persons cannot get out of the house, then open
all the windows and doors. Any combustion appliances
should be turned off.
Get
anyone subjected to carbon monoxide exposure to a hospital
emergency room as quickly as possible. A simple blood
test can determine if carbon monoxide poisoning has
occurred.
Contact A Personal
Injury Attorney
Persons who have suffered brain damage, or the families of loved ones who have died from exposure to carbon monoxide due to a defective product or the negligence of another are welcome to contact Lieff Cabraser.
Please note that we wish to
and can only help those already diagnosed with major carbon monoxide-related
injuries (or the families of victims killed by carbon monoxide). Those without
major CO2 related injuries may wish to visit the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, the Medline
Plus section on carbon monoxide,
or the Health and Safety
Executive pages on domestic gas health and safety.
We
will review your claim for free and without any obligation on your part.
About Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, is one of the largest law firms in
the nation that represents only plaintiffs. We have a team of personal injury
lawyers, assisted by multiple nurses, scientific advisors and medical experts,
dedicated to advancing our clients' interests, including clients who have
been injured due to defective products.
"Carbon monoxide kills one, injures several in SF apartment building"
January 13, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle
A carbon monoxide leak in a San Francisco apartment building killed a 77-year-old man and injured eight other people Monday night, even though an alarm meant to detect the dangerous gas had been beeping since Sunday. More...
Lieff
Cabraser has participated in over forty-two $100
million-plus settlements and verdicts. To read
a summary, click
here.
