Carbon Monoxide Law,
Legal Services, Lawsuits and Injuries
Jeffrey S. Gard is a nationally recognized
litigator and lecturer on the subject of carbon monoxide induced brain
injury. In recognition for his efforts to help victims of
carbon monoxide poisoning, Jeff joined forces with prominent carbon
monoxide researcher, professor and author Dr. David Penney, and
respected neuropsychologist, Dr. Dennis Helffenstein, to teach lawyers
and medical professionals how to successfully litigate carbon monoxide
induced brain injury cases.
Some of notable examples of our work include a case in which we were
contacted by a woman who stayed in a local hotel while on
business. During the night her carbon monoxide detector went
off and she was taken to the emergency room. Unfortunately,
the damage was done and the woman suffered brain damage. Once
she
came to us, we sent her to a carbon monoxide brain injury specialist
and filed a lawsuit against the hotel. The hotel had several
other carbon monoxide incidents due to negligent repair and
maintenance. On the eve of trial, the hotel settled the case for a
substantial sum of money, which provided the means for the client to
get back on her feet.
In another case, the client passed out from carbon monoxide exposure in
a rented apartment. A faulty hot water heater was the
culprit. Again, the client suffered a brain injury and we
were forced to take the matter to trial. The client now
dedicates herself to helping other victims of carbon monoxide share
their experiences and get the tools necessary to help them through it.
We enjoy a nationwide reputation for representing victims of carbon
monoxide and have taught both lawyers and doctors how to successfully
handle such cases. We can help you through this difficult
time in your life. Please call or email us to discuss what we
can do to assist you!
We understand that you have questions about carbon monoxide.
Accordingly, the following information is intended to help
you. Please call or email us if you have any questions: |
CARBON
MONOXIDE RESOURCES & ASSISTANCE
For more information, or if you are in need of legal assistance for your Carbon
Monoxide related case, please visit the:
Gard Law Firm Website
Call them at:
303-499-3040
Or email:
gardlawfirm@att.net
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Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after the
inhalation of carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of
combustion of organic matter under conditions of restricted oxygen
supply, which prevents complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2).
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating,
making it difficult for people to detect.
Carbon monoxide is a significantly toxic gas with
poisoning being the most common type of fatal poisoning in many
countries.[1] Symptoms of mild poisoning include headaches, vertigo,
and flu-like effects; larger exposures can lead to significant toxicity
of the central nervous system, heart and even death. Following
poisoning, long-term sequelae often occur. Carbon monoxide can also
have severe effects on the fetus of a pregnant woman.
Common sources of CO that may lead to poisoning
include house fires, furnaces or heaters, wood-burning stoves, motor
vehicle exhaust, and propane-fueled equipment such as portable camping
stoves, ice resurfacers,[3] forklifts,[4] engine-driven generators, and
gasoline-powered tools such as high-pressure washers, concrete cutting
saws, power trowels, floor buffers, and welders used in buildings or
semienclosed spaces.
The earliest symptoms, especially from low level
exposures, are often non-specific and readily confused with other
illnesses, typically flu-like viral syndromes, depression, chronic
fatigue syndrome, chest pain, and migraine or other headaches.[15] This
often makes the diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning difficult. If
suspected, the diagnosis can be confirmed by measurement of blood
carboxyhemoglobin.
The main manifestations of poisoning develop in
the organ systems most dependent on oxygen use: the central nervous
system and the heart. The clinical manifestations include tachycardia
and hypertension, and central nervous system symptoms such as headache,
dizziness, confusion, convulsions, and unconsciousness. CO poisoning
may also produce myocardial ischemia, atrial fibrillation, pneumonia,
pulmonary edema, hyperglycemia, muscle necrosis, acute renal failure,
skin lesions, visual and auditory problems, and respiratory arrest.[16]
One of the major concerns following CO poisoning
is the severe neurological manifestations that may occur days or even
weeks after an acute poisoning. Common problems encountered are
difficulty with higher intellectual functions and short-term memory,
dementia, irritability, gait disturbance, speech disturbances,
parkinson-like syndromes, cortical blindness, and depression[17]
(depression can occur in those accidentally exposed). These delayed
sequelae occur in approximately 15 percent of severely poisoned
patients after an interval of 2 to 28 days. It is difficult to predict
who may develop delayed sequelae; however, advancing age, loss of
consciousness while poisoned, and initial neurological abnormalities
may indicate a greater chance of developing delayed symptoms. According
to the Philadelphia poison control
hotline, sequelae are generally not anticipated when exposure is not
severe enough to result in loss of consciousness.
Carbon monoxide is life-threatening to humans and
other aerobic forms of life, as inhaling even relatively small amounts
of it can lead to hypoxic injury, neurological damage, and possibly
death. A concentration of as little as 0.04% (400 parts per million)
carbon monoxide in the air can be fatal. The gas is especially
dangerous because it is not easily detected by human senses. Early
symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include drowsiness and headache,
followed by unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death. First aid
for a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning requires access to fresh air;
administration of artificial respiration and, if available, oxygen;
and, as soon as possible, medical attention.
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it takes the
place of oxygen in hemoglobin, the red blood pigment that normally
carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Because carbon monoxide binds
to hemoglobin several hundred times more strongly than oxygen, its
effects are cumulative and long-lasting, causing oxygen starvation
throughout the body. Prolonged exposure to fresh air (or pure oxygen)
is required for the CO-tainted hemoglobin (carboxyhemoglobin) to clear.
First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning is to
immediately remove the victim from the exposure without endangering
oneself, call for help, and begin CPR if needed. The main medical
treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is breathing 100% oxygen by a
tight fitting oxygen mask. Oxygen hastens the dissociation of carbon
monoxide from hemoglobin, improving tissue oxygenation by reducing its
biological half-life. Hyperbaric oxygen is also used in the treatment
of CO poisoning; hyperbaric oxygen also increases carboxyhemoglobin
dissociation and does so to a greater extent than normal oxygen.
Hyperbaric oxygen may also facilitate the dissociation of CO from
cytochrome oxidase.
Prevention
Prevention remains a vital public health issue,
requiring public education on the safe operation of appliances,
heaters, fireplaces, and internal-combustion engines, as well as
increased emphasis on the installation of carbon monoxide detectors.
Carbon monoxide alarms are usually installed in homes around heaters
and other equipment. If a high level of CO is detected, the device
sounds an alarm, giving people in the area a chance to ventilate the
area or safely leave the building. Unlike smoke detectors, they do not
need to be placed near ceiling level. The Consumer Product Safety
Commission says that "carbon monoxide detectors are as important to
home safety as smoke detectors are," and recommends that each home
should have at least one carbon monoxide detector.[38]
A carbon monoxide detector is a device that detects the presence of the
toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless compound
produced by incomplete combustion and lethal at high levels. If a high
level of CO is detected, the device sounds an alarm, giving people in
the area a chance to ventilate the area or safely leave the building.
When an alarm sounds, action must be taken
immediately. This may include evacuating the premise if experiencing CO
poisoning symptoms (confusion, headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting,
etc), ventilation of the premises, and contacting professionals to
inspect CO emitting sources. If you suspect you have suffered CO
poisoning, go outside immediately and call the emergency number. At
high levels, breathing CO gas is fatal within minutes.
Alarm Manufacturers
•
BRK Electronics(BRK Brands, Inc.)
• Dicon Safety Products
• DuPont
• FireAngel (Sprue Aegis plc)
• First Alert(BRK Brands, Inc.)
• Kidde
Other resources to help you understand carbon
monoxide injuries include:
http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/drpenney.htm
http://www.coheadquarters.com/CO1.htm
Please Note
All of the cases, set forth above are for purposes
of example, and are not and should not be construed as a guarantee or
predictor of future result.
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