Carbon Monoxide Exposure Lawyers Reviewing Cases Nationwide
Carbon monoxide can cause different symptoms and severity of injury at different levels of exposure. However, to even low amounts of the toxic gas may pose a potential risk of permanent brain damage and neurological problems.
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While low levels of carbon monoxide exposure typically cause mild problems, such as headaches and nausea, high concentrations can cause immediate death. Since symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often not immediately recognized, the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood may build up over prolonged exposure times.
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential carbon monoxide exposure lawsuits for individuals nationwide who have been hospitalized following gas leaks that could have been prevented. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Carbon Monoxide Levels and Poisoning Risk
Carbon monoxide injures and kills by depriving the body’s internal organs of oxygen. The higher the concentrations of carbon monoxide that builds up in the body, the more severe the damage, known as hypoxia.
Even though an individual may appear to be breathing fine, exposure to carbon monoxide may in fact be causing them to suffocate due to lack of oxygen in the blood.
The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning progresses at different rates depending on the levels of carbon monoxide in the air and how long carbon monoxide builds up in the victim:
- 35 ppm (parts per million): Victims suffer headaches and dizziness after six to eight hours of exposure.
- 100 ppm: Headache occurs within two to three hours of constant exposure.
- 200 ppm: Loss of judgment as well as headache occurs within two to three hours of exposure.
- 400 ppm: A frontal headache develops in just one to two hours of exposure.
- 800 ppm: Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions occur within 45 minutes, victims insensible after 2 hours.
- 1,600 ppm: Lethal levels. Headaches, nausea after just 20 minutes of exposure. Death in less than 2 hours.
Different federal agencies and interest groups have set different carbon monoxide exposure limits that they consider risks to human health, though it is generally agreed that carbon monoxide is lethal at 1,000 ppm. The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygenists have set a carbon monoxide threshold at 25 ppm, while the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sets an exposure limit of 35 ppm and recommends immediate building evacuation at 200 ppm.
By comparison, many local governments make firefighters wear self-contained breather units at 35 ppm and orders the evacuation of any building at 100 ppm.
The newest generation of carbon monoxide detectors have a sensitivity level minimum of 70 ppm and will go off at between one to four hours of exposure at these levels.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure Lawsuits
The carbon monoxide lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals or family members of victims who suffered serious injury after exposure to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide.
In many cases, permanent and disabling neurological damage from carbon monoxide poisoning may have been prevent if adequate safety measures had been followed by a property owner, builder, contractor or other individual who caused the leak.
All cases are reviewed and evaluated on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are never any attorney fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained for injuries caused by carbon monoxide. In addition, after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the carbon monoxide exposure with our lawyers, there is no obligation to hire our law firm.