Victims of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Austin

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that poses a severe health risk. According to Harvard Health Publishing, it is “found in the fumes of fuels that contain carbon, such as wood, coal, and gasoline.” Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when people inhale this gas instead of oxygen.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this type of exposure is relatively common. About 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency room each year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and at least 430 people die from it annually. A lawyer with Carabin Shaw can help secure compensation for your injuries if you or someone you know experienced carbon monoxide poisoning in Austin.

There are many possible carbon monoxide sources in and around your home, so it is crucial to recognize what can potentially put you at risk. These sources include:

• Furnaces
• Stoves
• Generators
• Water heaters
• Lanterns
• Fireplaces (with a closed flue)
• Cars and trucks
• Lawnmowers
• Clothes dryers

The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is exceptionally high in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces. Suppose you start to feel sick when one of these appliances is in use. In that case, our Austin personal injury attorneys advise you to go somewhere with adequate ventilation and call for help immediately.

Carbon monoxide inhibits the body’s ability to carry oxygen to vital organs, so the longer the exposure, the less oxygen the body receives. As a result, victims of carbon monoxide poisoning in Austin might exhibit various symptoms depending on how close they were to a source of carbon monoxide and how long they were in that environment. These symptoms include:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Personality changes or extreme mood swings
• Fatigue
• Vision problems
• Impaired judgment
• Clumsiness or difficulty moving
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Without treatment and fresh air, victims exposed to carbon monoxide can have seizures, fall into comas, or die. These extreme outcomes can occur with hours of low-level exposure or a few minutes of high gas concentration.

If you or someone you love experienced any of the above symptoms while in an enclosed space with a carbon monoxide source, call an Austin carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer to discuss your legal options as soon as possible.

If you decide to pursue a claim, your chosen Austin personal injury lawyer must first determine who is responsible for your injuries. In carbon monoxide cases, liability often relates to ownership, maintenance, and product safety. Your lawyer’s approach will vary if your carbon monoxide exposure occurred at work, at a rental property, at a property you own, or in a hotel.

For example, if your carbon monoxide poisoning occurred at a house or apartment you rent, our attorneys will look into how frequently your landlord serviced your furnace. They might also check to see how well your clothes dryer and fireplace were maintained (and whether this responsibility fell to you or the property owner according to the lease). If you owned your home and did everything right—installed carbon monoxide detectors, regularly serviced your furnace and water heaters, and more—we might look into how well these products were manufactured.

While there is no shortcut to easing your anxiety about carbon monoxide, holding the responsible party accountable for your injuries is one of the best things you can do for your peace of mind. The Austin lawyers at Carabin Shaw are here to help with this pivotal step.

Unknowns can make it difficult for you to feel safe again. An Austin carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer with Carabin Shaw is here to help give you answers, support, and assurance.

For a free consultation and case review, dial 512-832-1101.