Odessa Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Can You Sue for Missing CO Detectors in Texas?

Whether you are renting an apartment near Grandview Avenue or a townhouse around Ratliff Ranch, you expect your Odessa unit to be a haven you can call home. Tragically, property owners and landlords in Texas don’t always take their tenants’ safety as seriously as they should, and accidents can happen. One of the deadliest issues for renters is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can form in fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, furnaces, and water heaters. Exposure can cause serious injury or death if left unchecked. The Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw have seen the tragic consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning in victims who didn’t know they were exposed until they suffered serious harm.

If you are the victim of CO exposure, our attorneys can help you hold responsible parties liable for your injuries. We offer free consultations in English or Spanish, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. We are available 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260, or you can contact us online.

The symptoms of CO poisoning are vague, making a diagnosis challenging in its earliest, most treatable stage. Symptoms might include:

• Headache and dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion

Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, but some people are more vulnerable. The elderly, infants, and people with breathing issues or chronic heart disease are more likely to suffer severe injuries from CO exposure. If you or a loved one suffered because of someone else’s negligence in Odessa, our lawyers can help you understand your legal options.

Carbon monoxide only becomes an issue if a faulty appliance begins leaking the gas. Exposure can also occur in a garage when the gas seeps into the living area. Because the gas is undetectable, carbon monoxide detectors are essential safety devices that promptly alert residents to its presence.

Although Texas does not have a statewide statute requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all residential homes, local city building codes often require them. Texas law also requires landlords to provide a safe, sanitary, and livable condition for tenants. Although the law doesn't specifically mention carbon monoxide detectors, your lawyer may use the law to hold landlords liable for your injuries.

A thorough investigation should uncover the source of the CO exposure and determine if the landlord was negligent. If the source was a faulty appliance or missing carbon monoxide detectors, you may be eligible for damages.

To hold a property owner or landlord liable for your carbon monoxide poisoning, your attorney must prove that an unsafe condition in the unit led to the exposure and the landlord failed to address that condition adequately. Your legal team will gather evidence to build your claim, including:

• Previous complaints of symptoms that could be linked to CO exposure
• Lease terms regarding appliances, CO detectors, or repairs
• Service records for appliances like water heaters and furnaces
• Photos showing the source of the carbon monoxide leak

Even if you can’t sue for a missing carbon monoxide detector, you can hold your landlord liable for failing to inspect or repair appliances that cause the CO leak. Your lawyer will explore all your legal options to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Under Texas law, you can seek the following damages in your personal injury claim:

• Medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

If the unthinkable occurs and you lose a loved one to carbon monoxide poisoning, you can also file a wrongful death claim seeking the damages above and compensation for funeral expenses and loss of support from your deceased family member.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike without any warning, causing severe injuries and death long before you realize you were exposed. Our expert team at Carabin Shaw will handle the details of your legal claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Our law firm’s client reviews attest to our ability to maximize compensation for victims like you. Call us toll-free now at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online.

For more information:

• CDC
• Texas Statutes 92
• Texas Statutes 41