Apartment Carbon Monoxide Poisoning & Long-Term Complications

If you have been affected by carbon monoxide poisoning in a Dallas apartment, you might be considering hiring an attorney and pursuing legal action. As a renter, the causes for your carbon monoxide poisoning are likely out of your control, yet an inattentive or negligent landlord can seriously impact your health by allowing a carbon monoxide leak to go unchecked.

Some of the short- and long-term complications of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Seizure
• Memory loss
• Heart disease
• Pregnancy complications or miscarriage
• Depression
• Chronic headache
• Stomach issues
• Hallucinations
• Kidney failure

If you believe that you have been suffering from any of the above, look for an experienced Dallas Injury lawyer to help you pursue a personal injury claim.

The first step to dealing with apartment carbon monoxide poisoning and long term complications is knowing what symptoms to look for. As carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, it can only be detected via alarm. If your CO detector is broken or faulty, you will probably not notice a leak until it has already started to affect you. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye out for possible symptoms so that you can safely remove yourself from the affected area.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Reduced judgment
• Upset stomach
• Fast heartbeat

If you are continuously experiencing any of these symptoms in your apartment, you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide. Headache and dizziness without the presence of a fever is considered a red flag for poisoning. Nausea and a fast heartbeat are symptoms of more severe poisoning, so if you cannot pinpoint another cause for them you should get checked for toxicity immediately.

If you are pregnant or have a heart condition, you should pay extra attention to the presence of any of these signs. If you find that you have been exposed to excessive amounts of CO, contact a Dallas Injury lawyer specializing in tenant’s rights to discuss the potential of a claim.

Fortunately, low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning are relatively easy to treat. Often, symptoms go away once the patient is exposed to fresh oxygen. You will likely be given 100% oxygen through a respirator for several hours while your symptoms are monitored.

If your poisoning is chronic or particularly severe, you might also be given an EKG to check for any heart abnormalities. While medical bills for carbon monoxide poisoning treatment can be steep, an experienced Dallas carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer can potentially recover those costs with a personal injury claim.

As a tenant, it is the responsibility of your building’s ownership to ensure a safe living space to the best of their ability. This includes working carbon monoxide detectors. If the light on your detector is out, immediately contact maintenance to let them know. Most manufacturers suggest replacing batteries annually.

Additionally, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the amount of CO in your home. Use gas appliances such as space heaters and generators only while necessary, and make sure that your apartment is ventilated when doing so. Double-check that your stove is turned off after using it, and never leave it on intentionally to heat your apartment. Never leave your car idling in a closed garage. Following these basic precautions will create a safer environment for both you and your neighbors.

If you have had to be hospitalized for exposure to carbon monoxide, a personal injury claim is likely the best way to recover the costs of medical bills and to see that any noneconomic effects on your quality of life are addressed.

Call 1-800-862-1260 today for a free, no-obligation case review and initial consultation with one of our Dallas lawyers specializing in carbon monoxide poisoning.