Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Houston Hotels - Short-Term Rentals: Who’s Responsible?

When you are staying in a hotel or short-term rental in Houston TX, there is little you can do about the upkeep of the gas-powered appliances. That is the responsibility of property owners and managers. When they fail to do their duty to provide a safe space free from dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, you can hire a lawyer and potentially sue them for damages.

Whether you need to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, the Houston attorneys at Carabin Shaw provide compassionate and skilled legal services. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you’re not stuck with legal fees if there's no settlement. Call our toll-free number today at 1-800-862-1260. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and schedule your FREE consultation today.

Gas appliances (furnaces and boilers) and mobile outdoor appliances are among the possible culprits of CO poisoning in hotels and short-term rentals in Houston, Texas. The upkeep of furnaces, dryers, and water heaters is essential to creating a safe space to inhabit for any length of time. When dealing with commercial or rental properties, these duties may fall on a property manager, maintenance company, or the property owner.

Renters can also contribute to hotel carbon monoxide poisoning risk by bringing in propane heaters, lanterns, or other mobile appliances into an enclosed area. Poisoning can happen within minutes or hours, depending on the concentration of CO in the air, and victims may not sense poisoning symptoms until it incapacitates them. That is why it is often the additional responsibility of property owners and managers to install CO detectors.

Carbon monoxide is a unique hazard because it is invisible and odorless. Victims don’t know they’re inhaling toxic fumes until a CO alarm sounds, or they experience the following symptoms of CO poisoning:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Chest pain

If the person doesn’t leave the enclosed space, or nobody comes to the rescue, they may succumb to the Airbnb carbon monoxide poisoning and die. More than 400 people die from accidental CO poisoning each year in the U.S.

While hiring a lawyer can help you recoup losses after a CO poisoning, prevention is the better practice. This is a challenge in short-term rentals and hotels, where tenants must trust that proper safety protocols are in place. Some people carry a portable carbon monoxide detector to alert them to the risk of CO.

The best way to ensure that you claim full damages in a lawsuit is to hire an experienced Texas carbon monoxide exposure attorney who can help you identify and quantify all your damages. Compensable damages in a personal injury lawsuit include:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income or benefits
• Emotional anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Other losses related to the CO poisoning

In cases where a person died as a result of the CO poisoning, family members may hire an attorney to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This allows victims to get compensation for the losses they incur as a result of their tragic loss.

Your carbon monoxide poisoning personal injury in Houston TX will come with short- and long-term damages, and you’ll want to calculate damages that reflect your true losses. Ensuring you hold the correct parties responsible can be challenging in a rental environment, as fault may lie with property owners or third parties.

Hiring an attorney and legal team removes some of the stress and confusion when dealing with CO poisoning, as we can investigate your case and help you calculate damages while you focus on your recovery. At Carabin Shaw, we know how to work with property owners to efficiently collect evidence and process claims, and many cases end successfully with a full and fair settlement.

Read our law firm’s client reviews that show our dedication to positive legal outcomes. Thencall for a free case review to find out your legal options and the best path toward justice. The Carabin Shaw team has English- and Spanish-speaking staff.

For more information:

• Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Following Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics | CDC
• Texas Constitution and Statutes 41