Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

Over the last few weeks with temperatures dropping, carbon monoxide, the silent and often odorless killer, has taken the lives of a number of Philadelphia residents as well as their animals. Many other victims were poisoned by carbon monoxide to the point of physical and mental debilitation, requiring hospitalization and hyperbaric oxygenation chamber inhabitation.

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and notably is the most common cause of accidental poisoning and related deaths. The intake of carbon monoxide fumes decreases the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and low levels of oxygen will frequently lead to cell death including brain and heart injury. Each year the Pennsylvania carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers of Reiff and Bily are called upon to represent victims of carbon monoxide poisoning and our investigations and experience reveal that most times carbon monoxide poisoning is related to an unvented supplemental heater, blocked flue, or improperly maintained heating system.

Our office was recently retained to represent individuals who resided in an older Philadelphia apartment building and fire investigators noted that the heating system had faulty ventilation and a blocked flue. Many victims suffered from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and had to be transported by emergency crews to local hospitals.

Other causes of carbon monoxide poisoning are faulty gas and water heaters, clothes dryers, auto exhaust in a closed garage, kerosene and gasoline generators/space heaters, and tobacco smoke and fires. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include but are not limited to dizziness, headaches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of cognitive function, shortness of breath, chest pains, blurred vision, seizures, cardiac arrest, and loss of consciousness. Many times the symptoms easily mimic the flu or food poisoning and require that you immediately seek medical attention which may include oxygen therapy. If you or a loved one has sustained carbon monoxide poisoning, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com for a free, no obligation consultation.

As a result of a recent rash of storms and severe weather across the United States, many people turn to power generators during resulting power outages.

Recently the CPSC warned consumers never to use a generator indoors including basements, garages, crawl spaces, and sheds even with ventilation as exhaust fumes contain high levels of carbon monoxide which can become deadly if inhaled. Carbon monoxide is often referred to as a silent killer. Inhalation can quickly lead to full incapacitation and death. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include but are not limited to dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, vertigo, and a general feeling of malaise. As chance favors the prepared mind, it is probably not a bad idea to have properly operating smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

The carbon monoxide poisoning and exposure law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death due to defective consumer products. Over the past three decades, our lawyers have successfully litigated cases involving defective toys, defective vehicles, defective tools, and defective electrical devices.

The City of Philadelphia stepped to the plate and temporarily shut down two center city restaurants and a high rise apartment building on Monday, February 1, 2010 due to high levels of an odorless but deadly gas known as carbon monoxide. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the restaurants Capital Grille and Olive Garden will be closed for three to four days due to the fact that Philadelphia inspectors found carbon monoxide readings as high as 3,800 ppm in one of the eateries. Levels of carbon monoxide above 70 ppm can cause headache, fatigue and nausea and a sustained carbon monoxide concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm disorientation, unconsciousness and even death are possible according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

At the Philadelphia premises liability law firm of Reiff & Bily, we have learned of many tragic situations involving failure of carbon monoxide monitors and death and illness of unsuspecting victims. If you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, it is important to get proper and prompt medical attention. It is also very important to retain the services of a trained professional to determine the source of the carbon monoxide and have it repaired as soon as possible before returning to the premises.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning death in the United States and this odorless, tasteless and colorless gas is known as the silent killer. If you have been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning, early symptoms include but are not limited to headaches, nausea and fatigue which are often mistaken for the flu. In one of the cases we were consulted on last year, a number of people were visiting a hotel at the Jersey shore when they claimed they were feeling lethargic, tired and exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Medical examinations revealed that they were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty heating system and lack of proper ventilation. Some individuals are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than others namely infants, elderly people and those suffering from anemia, respiratory or heart disease.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, the experienced Philadelphia premises liability lawyers of Reiff & Bily can help you. Please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation evaluation of your claim.

Carbon Monoxide is a deadly gas that often goes undetected in a home. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, nausea, and fatigue and sometimes we mistakenly calculate these symptoms as the flu. Over the years, I have learned of many tragic situations involving the failure of carbon monoxide monitors and the death and illness of the unsuspecting victims. It is extraordinarily important to have a reliable carbon monoxide detector in your home. Make sure that it is installed in the proper area according to the manufacturer’s specifications. A carbon monoxide detector that is put away in a closet will not do you any good.

Last year our office was contacted by a number of guests who vacationed at a seashore hotel where they sustained carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty heating system and improper ventilation. Additionally, the carbon monoxide monitors were not working properly.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, we can help you. If you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, it is important to get proper and prompt medical attention. It is also important to obtain the services of a trained professional to determine the source of the carbon monoxide and have it repaired as soon as possible before returning to your home. It is important to install a carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas. There are hundreds if not thousands of fatalities every year from carbon monoxide poisoning and even a small amount of carbon monoxide in your living area can cause you major health issues. It is important to recognize that carbon monoxide detectors often have a limited life span and should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

If you believe that someone sustained carbon monoxide poisoning and the carbon monoxide alarm/detector was not operating properly, you should seek the services of an experienced carbon monoxide poisoning attorney specializing in defective products for a full investigation of your claim.