Carbon monoxide exposure is deadly to everyone, but it poses a special risk to seniors, especially if they have underlying medical conditions that worsen its effects. In Austin, Texas, assisted living facilities and nursing homes are legally obligated to maintain safe environments for all residents and visitors, including properly functioning ventilation and detection systems.
When those systems fail, tragedy can be the result. A qualified attorney can help you fight back against unsafe conditions for you or a loved one, protecting residents and their families from the devastating consequences of carbon monoxide exposure.
Why Seniors Face Increased Carbon Monoxide RisksA colorless, odorless gas that deprives your body of oxygen, carbon monoxide poisoning in Austin TX is dangerous to people of all ages. However, the sad reality is that elderly people are especially vulnerable to its long-term effects.
Reduced lung capacity means that CO takes effect more readily, while associated ailments like heart disease or cognitive impairment can dangerously delay the recognition of symptoms, making seniors wait longer for life-saving treatment post-exposure. Even low-level exposure can cause dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness for elderly people.
In long-term care settings, residents are entirely reliant on staff to monitor environmental hazards like carbon monoxide. When these safeguards fail, tragic cases of nursing home CO poisoning can occur.
When Negligence Turns Fatal: Wrongful Death in Nursing HomesBecause seniors are especially vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide exposure, this population is also especially prone to suffering from an untimely death as a result. Families should work with an attorney to determine whether they have a right to pursue a wrongful death claim after losing a loved one to unsafe conditions in a long-term care facility.
These claims allow families to seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional damages. Working with an experienced Texas lawyer is the best way to establish these kinds of claims in Austin.
Common Causes of CO Exposure in Assisted Living FacilitiesCarbon monoxide exposure in senior living facilities is often linked to preventable issues. These may include poorly maintained boilers, blocked vents, malfunctioning generators, or disabled carbon monoxide alarms. Backup power systems used during blackouts are a common source of dangerous gas buildups.
Facilities must follow federal safety standards, state guidelines, and licensing rulesto keep patients safe. When violations occur, an assisted living negligence attorney can investigate whether management failed to uphold these required standards of care.
Legal Responsibility of Care Facilities in TexasUnder these guidelines, assisted living facilities have a legal obligation to protect residents from foreseeable harm, including that potentially caused by carbon monoxide. This means they are obligated to install CO detectors, maintain HVAC systems, and respond promptly to safety complaints. Your local lawyer in Austin, Texas, can determine whether a facility’s failure to do so constitutes negligence.
Because regulatory violations and inspection reports often play a critical role in proving liability, it’s critical that victims work with representation experienced in securing this type of evidence. Working with an Austin personal injury law firm is the best way to ensure your rights are respected.
Nursing Home Negligence is Unacceptable — Demand Justice for CO Exposure & Contact Carabin Shaw to Schedule Your FREE Case Review Today!The Austin CO poisoning attorneys at Carabin Shaw have deep experience with cases involving nursing homes, and are experts in securing justice for elders and their loved ones. Reading our law firm’s client reviews can help you understand how we’ve helped people just like you get the justice they deserve. Our qualified, empathetic English- and Spanish-speaking staff are here to support you at every step of the legal process.
We’re proud to offer a free consultation before we begin working together, so you can offer your full range of legal options. Once you retain us as your legal representatives, we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t pay a dime until you win.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a nursing home or assisted living facility’s negligence, call us at our toll-free number 1-800-862-1260. Our phone lines are monitored 24/7, and someone is always available to take your call. Don’t face the dangers of CO exposure alone. Carabin Shaw is your ally in justice!
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