Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyers Pennsylvania
Each year, during the winter, the media often airs a story about a family who lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning after their furnace malfunctioned or because of poor ventilation. Sadly, these types of tragedies are often preventable through implementing basic precautionary measures including the utilization of a carbon monoxide detector and also having an understanding of this poisonous gas.
The Pennsylvania carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers at Wieand Law Firm, LLC are well aware of the hazards that can be associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. When we involve our firm in a carbon monoxide poisoning case, we rely upon our due diligence, skill, and resources to find out what happened and who might have been at fault. Rest assured, if we believe negligence had a role in carbon monoxide poisoning, we will be prepared to hold all those liable responsible for their actions.
Contact us to speak with Pennsylvania carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers, call Wieand Law Firm, LLC
Understanding Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CP) is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. It is also known as a silent killer and is responsible for thousands of deaths every year. Carbon monoxide is released when fossil fuels are burned in an open fire, furnace, or oven. If the area in which the gas is being released is not properly ventilated, all people within that area could become ill. Failure to leave the area or ventilate it could result in suffocation and death. The way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is to avoid any sort of exposure to the toxic gas, as Pennsylvania carbon monoxide lawyers can attest.
How Carbon Monoxide Affects the Body
When any type of fossil fuel, including charcoal or oil, is not thoroughly combusted while burning, it turns into carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide. If the former gas is inhaled, it combines with hemoglobin which is found in human blood and turns into carboxyhemoglobin. After this combination, the body cannot carry oxygen to other cells. Shortly after this happens, the body starts to suffocate from oxygen deprivation, even if air is still being taken in.
Depending on how much carbon monoxide is present, the symptoms of CO poisoning can be noticed within a few minutes or hours. A person can be poisoned from low amounts in a long period of time or high amounts in a short period of time. In serious cases, death can occur within minutes. As carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers in Pennsylvania, we have had clients who experienced symptoms including:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Inability to concentrate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Stomach pain
- Convulsions
- Respiratory arrest
- Brain damage
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of life
The effects of being exposed to carbon monoxide can include cognitive impairment and other neurological damage which may be noticed within a few days or weeks. Delayed effects may include memory loss, dementia, amnesia, vision loss, hearing loss, Parkinsonism (not the same as Parkinsons), heart disease, and more.
In severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, 100% oxygen will be administered through a very tight-fitting ventilation mask. Other treatments may also be given for the deprivation of oxygen and brain damage.
Has You or a Loved One Been Harmed By Carbon Monoxide?
Whether you have been poisoned by carbon monoxide or are seeking legal action on behalf of a family member who has, we at Wieand Law Firm, LLC are ready to listen to you. These is a small window of opportunity to collect evidence which is why it is important that you avoid any delays. Call the Pennsylvania carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers at Wieand Law Firm, LLC now.
