Proving Permanent Brain Damage in Austin, Texas, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases

Known worldwide for its annual South by Southwest film, media, and music festival, Austin, Texas, is one of the country’s fastest-growing tech hubs, earning it the moniker: “Silicon Hills.” In addition to tech and the arts, the capital of Texas sits along the I-35 corridor connecting San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth, making it an important location in the freight shipping industry. This is all to say that Austin is a bustling and rapidly growing city of industry and art.

With rapid growth and tourism come opportunities, but also risks. One such risk is the aptly named “invisible killer”: carbon monoxide (CO). A result of the incomplete burning of fossil fuels, common sources of CO include vehicles, gas stoves and fireplaces, grills, and furnaces. Improper use, installation, or ventilation of any of these can lead to a buildup of the difficult-to-detect gas. Exposure, even acute, can lead to illness, permanent brain damage, and even death. If a loved one has been seriously injured due to carbon monoxide exposure, don’t suffer alone. Contact the Austin catastrophic injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw today to begin your path toward justice and financial recovery.

When inhaled, CO replaces oxygen in the bloodstream. This deprivation can cause serious and irreversible neurological damage within minutes. Survivors often experience memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes, and motor control issues.

Doctors utilize imaging and neuropsychological testing to determine the extent of damage following an exposure event. If you or a family member has been exposed to CO, seek medical attention first. Then reach out to a local Texas attorney. Be sure to document what caused the exposure and keep all medical records, as they may prove essential to your brain injury lawyer in any future litigation.

Sources of carbon monoxide vary, but they can result from improperly installed or maintained furnaces and stoves. In the rapidly expanding Austin metropolitan area, contractors and electricians rushing to meet demand may, unfortunately, result in CO leaks. Similarly, CO-detection equipment in apartment buildings and public spaces is also at risk of improper installation or maintenance, leading to undetected leaks.

Whatever the source or the reason for the exposure, establishing fault is one of the most challenging aspects of this type of case. Your chances of getting justice are greatly increased if you gather evidence, maintain accurate records, and hire an Austin carbon monoxide poisoning attorney.

Common liable parties include landlords, employers, hotel managers, and contractors. After an exposure event, a qualified CO lawyer in Austin will often look for the following to determine liability and build your case:

• Fire department or emergency response reports
• Medical records
• Building inspection records
• Maintenance and repair logs
• Expert testimony and witness statements

At Carbin Shaw, our attorneys have decades of experience supporting victims in Texas. Check out our law firm’s client reviews to see how we have supported others in situations similar to yours. Then contact our English- and Spanish-speaking representatives, available 24/7 at the toll-free number 1-800-862-1260.

No amount of compensation can make up for the permanent mental impairment of a family member. However, if the CO poisoning was caused by someone else’s negligence, we will fight to get you the damages you deserve. Since we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, our representation comes at no risk to your already tenuous financial situation. No money is owed unless your case is won. Though CO may be the silent killer, you don’t have to remain silent after an exposure that leads to catastrophic injury to a loved one.

Seek justice with the support of a Carabin Shaw lawyer today. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.

For more information:

• How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning at home
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics | Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | CDC