Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes it as “a common industrial hazard resulting from the incomplete burning of material containing carbon such as natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal, or wood.” If you or a loved one has suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning at work in Laredo, Texas, a Carabin Shaw attorney could help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Workplaces are responsible for protecting employees from carbon monoxide’s dangerous effects, so if you have been exposed to CO at your place of employment, you deserve compensation.
How Is Carbon Monoxide Harmful?Laredo work injury lawyers know that carbon monoxide takes over red blood cells that move oxygen around the body. When this process occurs, blood cells can no longer carry oxygen. Harvard Health Publishing explains how dangerous high concentrations or prolonged exposure to the gas can be. It says, “As exposure continues, the gas hijacks more and more hemoglobin molecules, and the blood gradually loses its ability to carry enough oxygen to meet [the] body’s needs.” As a result, cells and tissues around the body die, including the heart and brain.
If you suspect that you experienced CO poisoning at work, experienced carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys serving Laredo, Texas can help you develop a legal strategy and pursue justice.
What Are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning at work in Laredo might exhibit different symptoms depending on how long they were in the toxic environment and how close they were to a CO source.
As a result, the Laredo attorneys at Carabin Shaw advise you to look for carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms using the following three tiers:
While extreme exposure for short periods can cause death, it’s worth noting that long periods of medium exposure can result in death, too. Without prompt treatment and fresh air, people exposed to carbon monoxide might have lasting damage to their organs. So, it’s crucial to seek medical care, even if your symptoms do not seem extreme.
Who Is at Risk for Carbon Monoxide Exposure?While CO can occur in the home, hotels, garages, and the workplace, the carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys serving Laredo, Texas know certain settings and occupations pose a greater risk.
According to OSHA, the most at-risk workers include:
Additionally, people who work with heavy machinery in large distribution centers are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. For example, in June 2018, two dozen workers at a food distribution center in Houston received carbon monoxide poisoning treatment. Firefighters attributed the CO to the exhaust from a contractor’s equipment in an enclosed area.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning affected you or a loved one at work, the Laredo attorneys at Carabin Shaw can review your case and investigate potentially liable parties. Your employer is responsible for providing you with a safe workplace. Laredo work injury lawyers will hold them accountable for any lapses in equipment maintenance, training, and safety devices.
Call a Laredo Lawyer TodayWe live and work in Laredo, Texas because it is a city that exemplifies growth, development, and authenticity. From its beginnings as a village to its current status as the largest inland port on the border with Mexico, Laredo thrives through its commitment to international trade and transportation. Unfortunately, these industries use equipment that can put workers at risk for carbon monoxide exposure.
Free Case ReviewIf you or someone you love experienced any CO poisoning symptoms while on the job, a Carabin Shaw lawyer is here to listen to you. For a free initial consultation and case review, call 956-333-3333.