San Antonio TX Carbon Monoxide Accidents: Common Causes and Legal Rights for Victims

Whether you are staying in an Airbnb or renting an apartment near the scenic River Walk, your rental property in San Antonio, Texas, may not be as safe as you think. A single leak from a broken appliance in an enclosed space can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide (CO). Because the gas has no color, odor, or taste, you can be exposed to hazardous levels without realizing it.

Carbon monoxide can cause permanent injuries or death in a short time. The San Antonio toxic exposure attorneys at Carabin Shaw help victims of CO accidents seek damages for their injuries and related losses. We offer free consultations in English or Spanish, and our team is available 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260 or online.

Carbon monoxide sources include fuel-burning appliances or engines, such as:

• Gas water heaters
• Furnaces and boilers
• Gas stoves and dryers
• Fireplaces
• Portable generators

When you rent a unit, you assume the appliances within it have been inspected and maintained for safety. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. If your stove, fireplace, or furnace malfunctions, it can release carbon monoxide into the air without any warning.

Every year, over 400 people in the US die from carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more are hospitalized. Because of the danger, property owners are advised to install CO detectors to alert residents to the presence of CO. Tragically, not all property owners install the devices. When they do, the detectors aren’t always maintained as they should be.

In the early stage, carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms might include:

• Headache and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain and shortness of breath
• Confusion and weakness

As the exposure progresses, victims can experience more severe injuries, including:

• Neurological damage
• Respiratory issues
• Organ failure
• Cardiac complications

Coma and death can occur with higher levels of exposure. If you suffer carbon monoxide poisoning, you have the legal right to seek compensation from the responsible parties. Contact a carbon monoxide poisoning attorney in San Antonio TX right away to learn your legal options.

A property owner or landlord has a duty of care to provide safe premises for the tenants renting their units. This duty includes keeping residents safe from carbon monoxide poisoning by maintaining appliances and installing carbon monoxide detectors. If they fail in their duty, your attorney can hold them liable for your injuries.

Landlords and property owners aren’t the only possible at-fault parties for your carbon monoxide exposure. Other responsible parties might include:

• Appliance manufacturers
• Contractors installing appliances
• Maintenance and repair companies

Your lawyer will review all available evidence to determine why the CO leak occurred and who was responsible. Next, your legal team will build a strong personal injury case seeking damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and other related losses.

Personal injury cases require proof of negligence, which involves these criteria:

• The party was obligated to provide a safe environment (duty of care)
• The party failed to provide that safe environment (breach of duty)
• The party’s failure caused your exposure to carbon monoxide (causation)
• You suffered measurable losses as a result of your injuries (damages)

Your attorney will prove these elements by gathering the following documentation:

• Medical records
• Maintenance and repair records
• Accident reports
• Eyewitness testimony
• Expert testimony

Through your claim, your San Antonio carbon monoxide lawyer can seek the following damages under Texas law:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and future income
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Emotional and mental distress
• Loss of quality of life

Carbon monoxide poisoning can leave you with lifelong injuries or even take someone you love if the exposure becomes fatal. Don’t navigate the aftermath of a CO accident without expert legal guidance. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, and our law firm’s client reviews attest to our commitment to accident victims like you. Call our lawyers today at 1-800-862-1260 or contact us online.

For more information:

• CDC
• Negligence
• DAMAGES