If someone gets sick or dies as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning while in DC or in the surrounding areas, it may be in the best interest of the victim or the victim’s family to discuss their situation with a carbon monoxide poisoning law firm Washington DC community members can rely on.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, highly toxic gas that cannot be seen. It is produced by burning fuels such as wood, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, and coal. Engines and open flames turn these fuels into carbon monoxide gas. People tend to be unaware of when they are breathing carbon monoxide. Because of this, it is important to have carbon monoxide detectors in places such as homes with heaters, stoves and other household appliances; and in indoor pool and spa areas with heaters and pumps; to name just a few of the many places it is important to protect the public from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Silent Killer
Carbon monoxide has been called “the silent killer” because victims of this kind of poisoning tend to feel sleepy and lose consciousness, with no awareness of what is going on and that they are breathing a deadly gas.
Overexposure to carbon monoxide can lead to:
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Brain damage
- Death
Carbon Monoxide Liability
Landlords, building owners, businesses, and in some case managers or renters of buildings, have an obligation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If one or more party’s negligence led to someone being injured by carbon monoxide poisoning or dying as a result of this, the injured person or the family of the deceased victim, may be entitled to compensation for damages that are the result of one or more party’s negligence.
Many people recommend doing this with the help of a carbon monoxide poisoning law firm Washington DC victims of carbon monoxide poisoning and their families have gotten help from in the past.
People who are responsible for the safety of buildings where people live, work, shop, etc., should have installed and regularly monitor carbon monoxide detectors. They should continually keep in compliance with building codes and rules that are in place to protect occupants and visitors from dangerous hazards. If the people who are responsible for this fail to provide reasonable care in doing this, they may be liable for the injuries and damages their negligence caused.
Compensation for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
While personal injury laws differ from state to state, most states typically allow people who are injured because of someone else’s negligence to seek compensation from the negligent person or parties in a personal injury claim that can be filed in a civil court. Many states require that the plaintiff (the victim or on behalf of a deceased victim, their family or their estate) in a personal injury claim prove the following two things:
- They were injured
- Their injuries are the result of the defendant’s negligence
Because every individual’s situation is unique and because not all states have the same laws for personal injury claims, many people find that it is best to do this with the help of a law firm that has lawyers that are licensed to practice in the case where the carbon monoxide poisoning occurred.
It is important for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning and their family’s to know their rights to compensation. A good place to start finding out about this and other important matters related to carbon monoxide poisoning, is by contacting a personal injury law firm that knows how to defend victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.
For a carbon monoxide poisoning law firm Washington DC carbon monoxide poisoning victims and their families recommend, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations.
