Your home may contain more sources of carbon monoxide than you realize. Furnaces, water heaters, ovens, and washers and dryers can all produce CO. Considering how commonplace the gas is, it should come as no surprise that it is responsible for more annual poisonings in the United States than any other non-drug toxin.
If you have experienced the death of a loved one or health complications after a Colorado carbon monoxide poisoning, you may have grounds for a civil claim. Given that carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances, as well as installation of working carbon monoxide detectors, it is possible that your case is indicative of negligence on the part of a manufacturer, plumbing company, or building owner.
If you are interested in pursuing legal action over carbon monoxide poisoning, reach out the best Colorado attorneys at Carabin Shaw. Our legal team has the specialized knowledge of premises liability law that your case will require in order to succeed. To schedule a free consultation, call 800-862-1260. Our bilingual phone staff can assist you at any hour.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?When seeking damages for personal injury or wrongful death after a gas leak, you and your Colorado carbon monoxide attorney will have to present compelling evidence that the poisoning could have been avoided if a liable party had adhered to a standard of care. Some examples of parties who have been named in carbon monoxide poisoning cases include:
Employers. If you have been exposed to excessive amounts of carbon monoxide at your workplace, your employer could be liable for your injuries. In 2021, a group of TSA employees successfully collected a settlement from the airport where they worked. The employees had notified their management of fumes in their workspace, but the complaints went unaddressed until the employees had already suffered cognitive impairment from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Landlords. Colorado requires that every home be outfitted with a functioning carbon monoxide detector. Without one, you risk inhaling dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide without realizing that you have a gas leak. If your landlord failed to install a working CO detector in your home, your attorney might advise you to name then in your claim. A landlord who fails to respond to requests for repairs to gas appliances could also be legally responsible for their tenants’ CO poisoning.
Plumbing companies. A plumbing company that damages gas lines in your home, or that notifies you that they repair a leak when they have not, could be legally responsible for any resultant carbon monoxide poisoning.
Appliance manufacturers. A company that manufactures a faulty gas appliance risks exposing customers to high levels of carbon monoxide. They could be liable for any instances of carbon monoxide poisoning that result from regular operation of their products.
Building inspectors. In 2010, a Colorado family sued a building inspector for wrongful death related to carbon monoxide poisoning. The inspectors had signed off on a malfunctioning heating appliance in the building where the deceased were staying. An inspector who fails to do their due diligence by not notifying building owners or residents of a potential gas leak may be responsible for any injuries caused by that leak.
Before moving forward with your personal injury or wrongful death claim, consult with a carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer in Colorado about the appropriate party to name.
Free Case Review at Carabin Shaw Law FirmIf you are ready to begin working on your carbon monoxide poisoning claim, or if you have any further questions, Carabin Shaw’s legal team can help. Set up a free consultation with one of our lawyers by calling 800-862-1260. In this meeting, you can speak at length about the details of your case and receive some advice on whether or not to move forward with legal action.
To learn about others’ experiences working with our team, have a look at Carabin Shaw’s client reviews.