Corpus Christi is a leading manufacturing and energy employer in Texas. Employees working in the industries enjoy excellent pay and benefits, but the jobs are not without risk. If you are injured at your industrial site, the consequences can be far-reaching for you and your family.
Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure is particularly dangerous for workers inside factories and warehouses. CO levels can rise quickly, and since the gas has no color or odor, employees may not realize they are exposed until it’s too late. Our Corpus Christi TX attorneys at Carabin Shaw have seen firsthand the life-changing injuries our clients have suffered from CO exposure.
Our compassionate team believes employees deserve a safe work environment. If you or someone you love is injured at work by carbon monoxide poisoning, our lawyers can help. We are available 24/7 to provide free case reviews in English or Spanish at 1-800-862-1260.
Workplace Carbon Monoxide Exposure: A Serious ConcernCarbon monoxide is linked to over 100,000 emergency visits, 14,000 hospitalizations, and 400 deaths in the US every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When someone inhales CO, it depletes the body of oxygen and damages vital organs over time. It’s known as a “silent killer,” because people can be exposed without realizing it.
If CO leaks into a warehouse or manufacturing plant, multiple employees may be exposed simultaneously. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created guidelines for CO prevention in workplaces, such as:
If an employer fails to comply with OSHA standards, they may be liable for injuries workers sustain from CO exposure.
Workers at Highest Risk in Corpus Christi, TexasThe risk of CO exposure is highest in industries that regularly burn coal, wood, or natural gas. Workers might include:
While these employees may have an increased risk, CO exposure can occur on nearly any job, even in an enclosed office with a defective furnace or water heater.
How a Local Texas Attorney Can Help With Your Workers’ Compensation ClaimInjured Texas workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation if their employer carries the insurance. This compensation is available regardless of who was at fault for your accident, and covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. A Corpus Christi carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer can help you with your workers’ comp claim to ensure you receive all the compensation you are entitled to.
While workers’ comp offers quick reimbursement for some of the expenses you face after a workplace injury, it is rarely sufficient to cover all your losses. Unfortunately, workers who have access to workers’ compensation cannot typically bring a personal injury lawsuit against their employer to seek additional damages.
How a Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorney Determines Third-Party LiabilityWorkers and their attorneys can, however, file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party who isn’t their employer. For example, a manufacturer that produces a defective tool that leaks carbon monoxide may be held liable if the CO leak poisons workers in the room where the tool was operating. Under Texas’s third-party liability rule, injured victims can seek damages from these at-fault parties, including:
Workers can file a lawsuit in addition to a workers’ compensation claim to maximize their damages and cover all their losses. Contact a personal injury lawyer right away who can investigate your accident and determine if other parties were at fault.
Did You Suffer CO Poisoning at Work in Corpus Christi? Contact Carabin Shaw Today to Book Your FREE CASE REVIEW!If you are injured by CO poisoning, the legal team at Carabin Shaw can help. Our attorneys offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no money up front for our expertise. Feel free to peruse our law firm’s client reviews to see how we’ve helped other accident victims like you, and then call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.
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