Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claims

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by a range of things, such as:

• Gas boilers and other household appliances
• Blocked chimneys
• Burning fuel in an enclosed space
• Faulty or blocked car exhausts
• Paint fumes.

This isn’t a complete list—if you have had carbon monoxide poisoning from something else, contact our team to see if you can claim.

Employers, landlords and other building owners all have a responsibility to make sure that appliances comply with safety regulations and that properties are well maintained. If your health has been endangered because someone has neglected this duty of care, we could help you bring a compensation claim.

The symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide exposure can be like food poisoning or the flu. Unlike the flu, however, carbon monoxide poisoning doesn’t cause a fever.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Headaches, especially tension-type headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness and confusion
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

When carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, it prevents oxygen from being carried around the body, which causes vital cells and tissues to fail and die. Breathing in high levels of the gas can have more serious consequences, such as:

• Impaired mental state
• Vertigo
• Breathlessness and chest pain
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness.

While these symptoms are usually temporary, prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide could lead to long-term health complications, such as problems with memory and concentration, vision and hearing loss and even heart disease.

Carbon monoxide has no smell or taste, making it hard to detect. It's very important to identify a leak as soon as possible. This is because the longer you are exposed to the gas, the more severe your symptoms will be and the greater the risk of developing long-term complications.

Many homes are fitted with carbon monoxide detectors and landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure they’re fitted in rooms with solid fuel appliances. However, it’s good to be aware of the symptoms in case detectors aren’t fitted or are faulty.

You should suspect carbon monoxide poisoning if:

• Other people in your house, flat or workplace fall ill with similar symptoms
• Symptoms disappear when you leave the property and come back when you return
• You get headaches more often when the central heating is on, such as during winter
• Pets also become ill.

You can also look out for visual evidence of carbon monoxide. These might include:

• Black, sooty marks on the front covers of gas fires
• Sooty or yellow/brown stains on or around boilers, stoves or fires
• Smoke building up in rooms (due to a faulty flue)
• Gas appliances give out yellow flames instead of blue ones.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, you should switch off appliances immediately and seek medical attention.

Contact us today to find out more about your legal rights if you have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.

Yes, you can claim if your loved one has passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning. We can help you claim compensation for their death and get any support you need.

Contact our team and we will advise you how we can help.