Carbon monoxide poisoning compensation

Carbon monoxide poisoning impacts thousands of people each year; in fact, some 4,000 people per year end up in Accident and Emergency in the UK. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by multiple things, either in the home or the workplace, and can have serious consequences. In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning may even lead to death. Landlords and employers have a duty to ensure that their properties are well maintained and that appliances comply with safety regulations. If you have had carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the negligence of others, then you may be able to make a successful carbon monoxide poisoning compensation claim. Graysons’ team of Sheffield and Chesterfield  solicitors answer some of the most common questions regarding carbon monoxide poisoning compensation, including how you can make a claim for carbon monoxide poisoning.

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by breathing in an excess amount of carbon monoxide. It has no smell or taste, so it can be hard to detect. Faulty or poorly installed household appliances that burn wood or fossil fuels, including heaters, central heating boilers, and cookers, are amongst the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Other things that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning include open fires, particularly ones with blocked flues and chimneys, gas fires, excessive paint fumes, faulty or blocked car exhausts, or burning fuel in an enclosed space without sufficient ventilation.

What are carbon monoxide symptoms in the home?

Carbon monoxide symptoms in the home can often at first seem like food poisoning. Symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, and unexpected drowsiness. In more extreme cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, symptoms may include seizures, breathlessness, chest pain, and even loss of consciousness. If you believe you have been exposed to excess levels of carbon monoxide and are exhibiting carbon monoxide symptoms in the home or in the workplace, you should immediately go to your local Accident and Emergency hospital. Prior to returning home or to the workplace, the premises should be checked to ensure they are safe.

What are the long-term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Most people recover from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, long-term exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to heart problems and brain damage, including difficulty concentrating and memory problems. The long-term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning also include hearing and vision loss, as well as Parkinsonism, which is characterised by slow movement, tremors, and stiffness. Long-term carbon monoxide poisoning can also cause harm to unborn babies. In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning may cause death.

What carbon monoxide treatments are there?

There are several carbon monoxide treatments, including standard oxygen therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. People suffering from mild carbon monoxide poisoning are unlikely to require hospital treatment but should still seek medical advice.

Are carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in rental properties?

Yes, carbon monoxide detectors are mandatory in rented residential properties and must be installed in every room that is used as living space in properties that use solid fuel. Landlords must ensure that they are installed and working on the first day of the tenancy and must replace the alarms in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Non-compliance by landlords may result in fines up to £5,000. Landlords have a duty of care to ensure their premises are safe for their tenants.

Can I sue my landlord for not having a gas safety check?

Yes, if you have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and the landlord has been negligent and not had the required gas safety inspection, then you may be able to sue them and make a successful carbon monoxide poisoning compensation claim. If you are a tenant and have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning due to the negligence of others, then you should contact an experienced carbon monoxide claims solicitor, such as Graysons’ team of solicitors in Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Can I sue my employer if I have become ill because of carbon monoxide in the workplace?

Yes, employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for their employees. The law states that employers must install carbon monoxide  detectors that are fit for purpose where appropriate and that they must also ensure adequate ventilation to avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide. If you have become ill due to carbon monoxide in the workplace, you should contact an experienced carbon monoxide poisoning solicitor, such as Graysons’ team of solicitors in Sheffield and Chesterfield. Our team will be able to assess your claim and advise if you will be able to claim carbon monoxide poisoning at work compensation.

Who is liable for carbon monoxide poisoning?

Liability for carbon monoxide poisoning will be with whoever is negligent. If you have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in a rental property, there is a chance that the landlord is liable, if the cause is a defective appliance or especially if they have failed to install a carbon monoxide detector or failed to check that the carbon monoxide detector was working at the start of the tenancy. Employers will also be liable if you suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in the workplace. Both employers and landlords have a duty to ensure that you are protected from carbon monoxide poisoning.

What compensation am I entitled to for carbon monoxide poisoning?

The amount of compensation you are entitled to for carbon monoxide poisoning will depend on the extent of your injuries, the likelihood of a full recovery, and the impact it has had on your day-to-day life. Compensation is designed to cover your financial losses, including future earnings, the cost of any medical treatment, including future medical treatment, travel expenses, adaptations you may have to make to your home, as well as providing  for your pain and suffering. An experienced carbon monoxide poisoning solicitor, such as Graysons’ team of Sheffield and Chesterfield solicitors, will be able to assess your claim and advise how much compensation you would be likely to recover.

How long will a carbon monoxide poisoning claim take?

It is difficult to accurately state how long a carbon monoxide poisoning claim may take as each claim is individual.  Some claims where liability is accepted may take just a few months to settle. However, in more complex cases and in cases where liability is disputed, the claim will take significantly longer. An experienced solicitor will be able to advise how long a claim is likely to take  and they will work to try and ensure a swift settlement.

How can Graysons’ solicitors in Sheffield and Chesterfield help me make a claim for carbon monoxide poisoning?

Proving negligence in a carbon monoxide poisoning compensation claim can be complex and time-consuming, which is why you will need an experienced personal injury solicitor. If you have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning due to the negligence of others, our team of solicitors in Sheffield and Chesterfield can expertly help you make  a carbon monoxide poisoning compensation claim, ensuring you remain aware of your rights while working diligently to secure you the very best outcome. Our specialist Sheffield and Chesterfield solicitors will work with expert engineers, relevant medical experts,  and toxicologists to ensure your claim is successful on a no win no fee basis. If you want to make a carbon monoxide compensation claim, then contact our team today.