Miami Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyers
Legal help when you or a loved one suffers injury from carbon monoxide in a commercial building in Florida
When you check into a hotel, rent a vacation condo, or move into an apartment complex, you expect the property to be safe. However, hidden behind the walls and ceilings of these buildings could be a silent, deadly threat – carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the “silent killer” for good reason. It’s an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning often don’t see it coming, and exposure can cause serious health problems, including brain damage, long-term neurological deficits, and even death.
At Hickey Law Firm, we represent individuals and families harmed by carbon monoxide poisoning in hotels, condominiums, apartment buildings, and other commercial properties. These cases can be complex, but they’re important for holding negligent property owners accountable and preventing future tragedies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is carbon monoxide and why is it so dangerous?
- Where can carbon monoxide poisoning occur?
- Is carbon monoxide poisoning preventable?
- What are the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning?
- What should I do if I suspect carbon monoxide poisoning?
- Who is responsible for my Miami carbon monoxide poisoning claim?
- Why should I hire a Miami carbon monoxide injury lawyer?
- Why choose Hickey Law Firm for my carbon monoxide injury case?
- Do you have a Miami carbon monoxide injury lawyer near me?
What is carbon monoxide and why is it so dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. This means it’s produced when fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, boilers, fireplaces, or generators don’t burn fuel completely. This gas can accumulate to dangerous or lethal levels in a tightly sealed or poorly-ventilated environment.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it’s undetectable without proper equipment. Unlike natural gas, which has a telltale odor added, carbon monoxide has no scent or warning signs. Victims might feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, or confused. If they are asleep, or if the gas builds slowly over time, they may never wake up.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 400 people in the United States die each year from unintentional CO poisoning, and more than 100,000 visit the emergency room due to exposure.
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Where can carbon monoxide poisoning occur?
One of the more alarming realities of CO poisoning is how often it occurs in multi-unit dwellings and commercial buildings – places where people live, sleep, and may be unaware of faulty systems. HVAC units, gas-powered water heaters, or improperly vented appliances can all create a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide.
Hotels, motels, and apartment buildings often rely on shared or centralized systems for heat and hot water. When an HVAC system is not properly maintained, CO can leak into rooms and common areas. Poor building design and lack of ventilation can increase these dangers.
Is carbon monoxide poisoning preventable?
The truth? Carbon monoxide poisoning is almost always preventable. Commercial building owners and property managers are responsible for making sure that their buildings are safe for occupants and guests. This includes:
- Regular HVAC inspections
- Proper installation of fuel-burning appliances
- Ventilation system maintenance
- Installing and maintaining CO detectors
Many states, including Florida, require carbon monoxide detectors in newly constructed buildings or buildings that use fuel-burning appliances. But in practice, compliance is often spotty, especially in older properties. In hotels and apartments, landlords and property managers frequently cut corners to save money, putting lives at risk.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Even brief exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can cause serious brain injury. CO binds with hemoglobin in the blood more effectively than oxygen, effectively suffocating the brain and other organs. Symptoms can range from mild to catastrophic.
Short-term effects of CO poisoning include headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, and fainting. Long-term or permanent injuries include memory loss, loss of motor function, speech problems, personality changes, permanent brain damage, coma, or death.
Survivors of CO poisoning, especially children, often suffer lifelong cognitive impairments. These injuries require extensive medical treatment, therapy, and ongoing care, costs that negligent building owners should be held accountable for.
What should I do if I suspect carbon monoxide poisoning?
If you or someone you love may have been exposed to CO, take these steps:
- Get medical attention immediately. Blood tests can confirm carbon monoxide levels. Document your symptoms and diagnosis.
- Report the incident by notifying building management, the fire department, and/or local code enforcement.
- Preserve the evidence by taking photos, saving hotel receipts, and gathering witness statements.
- Call the experienced lawyers at Hickey Law Firm. We can begin investigating right away.
Don’t wait. Early investigation is key to proving negligence and securing compensation.
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Who is responsible for my Miami carbon monoxide poisoning claim?
Carbon monoxide poisoning cases fall under premises liability law. Property owners and managers have a duty of care to maintain safe premises for their occupants and guests. If they fail to do so, by neglecting HVAC systems or failing to install CO detectors, they can be held legally responsible. In commercial settings, multiple parties may share liability, including:
- Property owners
- Management companies
- Maintenance contractors
- HVAC technicians
- Equipment manufacturers, if a defect is involved
These types of cases often involve intensive investigation to determine the source of the leak and what steps were (or weren’t) taken to protect building occupants. Building codes, maintenance records, inspection logs, and fire department reports can all be critical pieces of evidence.
Why should I hire a Miami carbon monoxide injury lawyer?
Carbon monoxide poisoning cases can be complicated and high-stakes. At Hickey Law Firm, we know how to:
- Work with HVAC experts and toxicologists to establish the source of exposure
- Obtain your medical records to document the full extent of your injuries
- Calculate the full lifetime costs of care, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Hold insurance companies and corporate defendants accountable
We understand how difficult it can be for families to work through the legal system while also dealing with devastating injuries. That’s why we handle the legal battle – so you can focus on healing.
Why choose Hickey Law Firm for my carbon monoxide injury case?
At Hickey Law Firm, we have decades of experience standing up to large property owners, insurance companies, and corporations. We represent people, not powerful entities. We have the resources, the network, and the courtroom experience to win the tough cases, including those involving brain injuries and wrongful death.
If you or a loved one has suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel, condo, or apartment building, you may be entitled to significant compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care needs
- Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)
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Do you have a Miami carbon monoxide injury lawyer near me?
Hickey Law Firm meets with victims of CO poisoning at our Miami office located at 12150 SW 128th Ct, Suite 225. We meet clients who cannot come to our office at their homes or other convenient locations when necessary.
Talk to an experienced Miami carbon monoxide injury lawyer today
Carbon monoxide poisoning is silent, but the consequences are deafening. At Hickey Law Firm, we don’t let negligent property owners get away with cutting corners. We fight for justice. We fight for safety. And we fight for you. If you or a loved one has been injured by carbon monoxide poisoning, contact Hickey Law Firm today. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we win. To schedule your free consultation, call our offices or complete our contact form. We represent CO poisoning victims throughout Florida and across the United States.