San Antonio Workplace Carbon Monoxide Exposure: OSHA Rules and Texas Worker Rights

San Antonio employees expect to put in a day’s work without worry over suffering a serious injury on the job. Sadly, that isn’t always the case. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a hidden danger that can lurk on many Texas worksites, endangering employees before they know they are at risk.

If you suffer carbon monoxide poisoning on the job, it can impact your ability to work, care for your family, or even care for yourself. The San Antonio carbon monoxide exposure lawyers at Carabin Shaw protect the rights of injured workers and pursue compensation on their behalf. We are available 24/7 and offer free case reviews in English or Spanish at 1-800-862-1260 or online.

Carbon monoxide has no taste, smell, or color, so people can be exposed to dangerous levels without knowing it. San Antonio workers at the highest risk for carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Firefighters and police officers
• Mechanics and welders
• Forklift operators and truck drivers
• Warehouse and loading dock workers
• Diesel engine operators
• Toll booth attendants
• Taxi drivers

Any enclosed space containing fuel-burning appliances or engines may pose hazards. If you are exposed to carbon monoxide, an attorney can identify the source and determine if negligence played a role in your exposure.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure mimic those of any illness, such as:

• Headaches and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and fatigue
• Chest pain
• Breathlessness

If the exposure continues, workers can suffer more serious symptoms, including:

• Loss of coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Neurological damage
• Seizures

Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide can cause life-changing issues, such as brain damage, heart disease, and movement problems. In extreme cases, it can cause death before anyone realizes the gas is present. Our lawyers help victims of carbon monoxide poisoning and survivors who have lost loved ones to CO exposure.

Because carbon monoxide is so dangerous, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidelines to reduce workplace exposure to it. Steps might include:

• Installing a ventilation system to remove CO from the space
• Maintaining gas-powered equipment and appliances
• Providing carbon monoxide detectors in all work areas
• Testing the air regularly in high-risk areas
• Educating workers about the sources of CO exposure

When employers do not follow these recommendations, workers have the right to report concerns to OSHA and request an inspection of the workplace for hazards. While OSHA can play a role in keeping your workplace safe, they don’t provide compensation for workers who have been injured. A workplace carbon monoxide poisoning attorney can help you file a claim for damages for your injuries and related losses.

If you are hurt by carbon monoxide on the job and your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you can file a compensation claim. Workers’ comp covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages. However, it isn’t usually sufficient for employees who suffer serious or catastrophic injuries.

Your personal injury attorney can help you file your workers’ compensation claim. They will also investigate the source of your CO exposure to determine whether another party contributed to the accident. For example, a manufacturer may be liable for a defective device, or a maintenance contractor may be responsible if they fail to properly maintain the equipment you use.

If a party outside your employer contributed to your San Antonio work injuries in Central Texas, you can file a third-party claim to pursue additional damages. Your Central Texas lawyer must prove the party’s negligence led to your accident to hold them liable for damages, such as:

• Additional lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Carbon monoxide can cause severe, life-changing injuries. If another party caused your exposure, contact Carabin Shaw to discuss your legal options. Our law firm works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our client reviews reflect our lawyers’ commitment to securing the maximum compensation possible for victims like you.

For more information:

• Texas Department of Insurance
• THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY