If you suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in an apartment, hotel, workplace, rental property, or another building, finding the source of the gas can help establish who was responsible. Your claim may involve unsafe equipment, inadequate maintenance, or another preventable condition.
A premises liability lawyer in Chicago can help get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Reach out to our firm today at (312) 701-0090.
Where Did the Carbon Monoxide Come From?
Carbon monoxide has no color or odor, so identifying the source after an exposure often requires an inspection of the property and its equipment. Investigators may examine furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, generators, stoves, vehicles, ventilation systems, and other fuel-burning equipment. Finding the source can reveal whether the exposure resulted from poor maintenance, improper installation, equipment failure, or failure to correct a previously reported problem.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Responsibility depends on who owned or managed the property, equipment, or work that allowed carbon monoxide to accumulate. Potentially responsible parties can include:
- A landlord or property owner.
- A property management company.
- A maintenance or repair contractor.
- An equipment installer.
- A manufacturer of defective equipment.
- A business responsible for the premises.
The investigation may also examine whether carbon monoxide alarms were installed where required and whether they worked properly at the time of the exposure.
Proving Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Medical evidence can confirm exposure, but your case also requires proof connecting the poisoning to the property and the responsible party. Useful evidence may include:
- Blood test results and medical records.
- Fire department or emergency response reports.
- Carbon monoxide readings from the property.
- Photographs of detectors and equipment.
- Furnace, boiler, or appliance maintenance records.
- Prior tenant complaints.
- Inspection reports.
- Repair invoices.
- Building records.
- Statements from other people who experienced symptoms.
If several people became ill at the same location, their experiences may also help establish when and where the exposure occurred.
Compensation Available in Chicago Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claims
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, loss of consciousness, and other symptoms. Severe exposure can lead to neurological or cardiac complications. Your claim may seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical care.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and physical symptoms.
- Neurological or cognitive limitations.
- Other expenses caused by the exposure.
Medical records can document both the initial poisoning and continuing health problems. Follow-up treatment is also critical as it can also establish whether the exposure caused lasting physical or cognitive limitations.
How Hiring a Lawyer Can Protect Your Case
The equipment responsible for the carbon monoxide poisoning may be repaired, removed, or replaced before you learn exactly what went wrong. Property owners and insurers may also dispute the source of the exposure or deny that anyone knew about a dangerous condition.
A personal injury lawyer in Chicago can take steps to preserve the equipment, obtain maintenance and inspection records, investigate previous complaints, and retain experts to determine how carbon monoxide entered the property. An attorney can also manage the insurance claims process and document how the exposure affected your health, work, and finances to significantly increase your chances of recovering fair compensation.
We Can Find Out What Caused the Exposure
Carbon monoxide poisoning can leave you with serious health problems and unanswered questions about why the exposure occurred.
Contact Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC online or call (312) 701-0090 for a free consultation about your legal options and next steps.