Practice

Blog

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas created primarily by the burning of fossil fuels, such as gas, oil, or propane.  When you are exposed to excessive amounts of carbon monoxide without adequate ventilation, this can cause serious, long-term injuries to your brain, muscles, and internal organs.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Fatigue and weakness
•  Loss of consciousness

With pronlonged carbon monoxide poisoning, death can result.

The immediate care for carbon monoxide poisoning usually requires removing the victim from the carbon monoxide exposure and emergency room care to provide oxygen therapy in an effort to normalize the levels of oxygen in the blood which have been altered by the inhalation of the of the carbon monoxide.

Even when there is prompt care received, the victims of a carbon monoxide episode frequently suffer long-term consequences, assuming that the expsoure is not fatal.  The consequences of carbon monoxide may include:

• Brain damage, including changes in memory, behavior, and cognition;
• Damage to internal organs, in particular the heart; and
• Muscle weakness and loss of coordination

There are a number of common sources of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Automobile exhaust;
• Defective and improperly vented heating devices such as heaters, clothes dryers, and ovens;
• Fires;
• Portable generators and other power equipment; and
• Recreational equipment such as grills, lamps, or heaters

Because carbon monoxide is so dangerous and so difficult to detect, Illinois law requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors within 15 feet of all sleeping rooms within a home.   Landlords have a responsibility for providing carbon monoxide deterctors in rental dwellings such as apartments or trailers.  Local ordinances may also require additional measures be taken to ensure carbon monoxide safety at home.

When someone suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning, careful investigation is required to identify the source of the carbon monnoxide poisoning and determining who was responsible for the accident and how the injuries were caused.  Without the proper investigation we are known for, victims of carbon monoxide poisoning may not receive the compensation which they deserve.

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
100 W Monroe St.,
Ste 2100
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan, Geneva, Sycamore, Woodstock, Kankakee, Morris, Ottawa; Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Peoria, McLean, Champaign, Tazewell Counties

Blog for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• 34 sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning at church
• Carbon monoxide poisoning kills Oregon woman
• Faulty furnace causes carbon monoxide poisoning in South Side apartment building
• Unsafe carbon monoxide levels in ice rink
• Carbon monoxide leak at Center Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn results in hospitalization of several from youth hockey tournament
• Fulbright scholars stricken by carbon monoxide poisoning
• Carbon monoxide safety reminder
• Improper furnace venting results in hospitalization of 11 due to carbon monoxide poisoning
• 41 sickened at Virginia bank
• $1.5 million settlement in Connecticut carbon monoxide poisoning case
• Neighbors injured by carbon monoxide poisoning
• Sevelyor Tow Behind Quick Hitch Connector Recalled
• Carbon monoxide poisoning makes six ill at New York diner
• Carbon monoxide makes family ill in hotel
• Running engines in garage pose carbon monoxide poisoning risk
• Family dies in Aspen carbon monoxide poisoning tragedy
• Carbon monoxide poisoning wrongful death lawsuit results in settlement
• Hyperbaric treatment can limit brain damage from carbon monoxide poisoning, study shows

Web Resources for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

• Resources for Survivors of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  Description: Excellent site with information for survivors of carbon monoxide poisoning accidents

• Information on carbon monoxide poisoning

  Description: Excellent basic article containing information regarding the causes, symptoms, and treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fact Sheet from CDC

  Description: Information from the Center for Disease Control regarding symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, causes of carbon monoxide poisoning, and ways to prevent it.

• Carbon monoxide safety video

  Description: The Centers for Disease Control prepared this video with good safety tips for preventing deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide.

View All

Offices