Brain Damage from Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Carbon monoxide, also commonly referred to as CO, is a colorless, odorless gas produced during the combustion of materials containing carbon. Many common household appliances produce this poisonous gas. Every year, carbon monoxide claims the lives of hundreds of victims and makes thousands more seriously ill. CO is a leading cause of both morbidity and mortality poisoning throughout the United States. Victims may have been exposed to low amounts of carbon monoxide over an extended period or during a random event that was not their fault. Construction companies, contractors and landlords, have been held liable through personal injury lawsuits when it can be shown that they knew, or had reason to know, that carbon monoxide exposure was likely to arise, or the leak was caused by their negligence.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team of Buffalo, New York carbon monoxide exposure injury attorneys is highly experienced, aggressive, tenacious and hardworking. Time and time again, former clients of the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. have said that Jed Dietrich, Esq. is the best personal injury lawyer in Buffalo, New York. View our clients’ testimonials by clicking here. Our firm, recognized as an American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Personal Injury Law Firm, will fight to obtain the best result for your injuries and health problems caused by carbon monoxide exposure. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. over $175 million to compensate his clients for their injuries and illnesses. Call us today at 716-839-3939 for your free consultation.

Even breathing in low levels of carbon monoxide can build up over time in the bloodstream. Carbon monoxide poisoning may result in severe damage to the brain. Unfortunately, cases of CO poisoning often go undiagnosed. Some doctors struggle in properly identifying carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of brain damage, even when patients have not experienced any accidents or traumatic events. The level of brain damage has a direct impact on the prognosis of victims fortunate enough to survive CO poisoning.

Doctors may be unable to fully predict all of the long-term damage and specific types of chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms that victims will suffer from exposure to carbon monoxide. The long-term brain damage suffered by victims often results in various chronic cognitive or executive complications such as parkinsonism, memory loss, trouble thinking, akinetic mutism, dystonia, loss of motor functioning and other neurologic or psychiatric complications. Additionally, victims may experience personality changes, mood disorders and clinical depression. It is difficult to compare the severity of brain damage among victims displaying different symptoms. Although MRIs and CT-scans are valuable in understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms in victims, at this time there is no known optimal therapy for brain damage caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.

In New York State, most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning happen during the cold winter months due to frequent use of various heating sources, such as unvented space heaters or furnaces.

Further, those that face an increased chance of carbon monoxide exposure may include:

1. Children riding in the cargo bed of an enclosed pickup truck;
2. People starting or warming up their cars in garages, even with the door open;
3. Industrial workers at steel plants, pulp foundries and mills that produce formaldehyde or other fuels;
4. Firefighters and others at the scene of a fire;
5. Those operating electric generators and heating sources during electricity outages;
6. Employees working around combustible gases or combustion engines; and
7. People swimming close to boats with the engine running.

Effective safety measures and ways you can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning include:

1. Installing a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home; 
   
2. Having your car’s exhaust system inspected yearly;
3. Never running your car inside a garage, even if the door is open;
4. Routinely replacing the batteries in your CO detectors;
5. Placing the CO detector where it will wake you up if activated;
6. Replacing your CO detector every couple of years;
7. Having your water heater, heating system and any other gas-burning appliances inspected and serviced annually;
8. Ensuring that all fuel-burning appliances are adequately vented;
9. Angling all horizontal vent pipes for appliances upwards as they lead to the outside;
10. Never cover vent pipes;
11. Never burn charcoal indoors;
12. Never use portable gas stoves inside your home; and
13. Never use generators indoors, even in a garage or basement.

Every day Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his top rated team of carbon monoxide poisoning injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. strive to provide the highest level of personal injury service to victims whose exposure to carbon monoxide has caused illnesses and other health complications in Western New York. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has witnessed the ravaging impact that a carbon monoxide poisoning can have on a victim’s life, and ultimately their loved ones. In addition to suffering agonizing pain and possible loss of life, victims face exorbitant medical expenses. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. recognizes the impediments carbon monoxide poisoning can cause. We aim to help ease the financial burdens that you will face so that you can focus on recovering. Call us today at 716-839-3939 so that we can help you.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!