Thousands of Britons are affected by carbon monoxide poisoning every year, often caused by the negligence of a landlord, letting agent or gas engineer. If you’ve been affected, speak to our expert carbon monoxide lawyers about claiming compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that is usually produced by badly serviced gas boilers, car exhaust pipes and blocked flues. Also known as 'the silent killer', it is responsible for thousands of cases of carbon monoxide poisoning every year, a few of which result in permanent brain damage or even death.
In most of these cases, the cause is a failure of landlords or letting agencies to get boilers serviced and flues checked, though some cases are also caused by faulty workmanship by plumbers and gas engineers.
Under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, landlords have a legal duty to ensure that all gas fittings and flues are maintained to a safe condition. Where this duty is breached, and you become ill as a result, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
It can be difficult to identify the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, as many of its common symptoms are issues you may experience normally or due to a much more common illness, such as a cold or the flu. Symptoms may also come and go, becoming worse when you spend time in the affected areas and getting better again when you leave.
The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Headaches
Dizziness or confusion
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle pain and feeling weak
Shortness of breath or chest pains
If you think you could have carbon monoxide poisoning, you should try to turn off any appliance you think may be the cause of the issue (for instance, your boiler, cooker or heater) and open the windows and doors to let fresh air in. If possible, you should take yourself outside, and do not try to re-enter the property until you’ve sought medical advice.
If you experience symptoms of severe carbon monoxide poisoning – such as difficulty breathing – seek medical advice immediately.
What is the treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning?
The treatment for carbon monoxide will depend upon how ill you are. If you have very mild symptoms, it may resolve on its own if you are able to turn off the source of the carbon monoxide and stay in fresh air for a while. You should also seek medical advice from your GP as soon as possible.
However, if your symptoms are severe – for instance, you are struggling to breathe or have lost consciousness – or you are pregnant, have a condition that affects your lungs, heart or blood vessels, or the person affected is a child or elderly, you should attend your local A&E department for further checks.
This will involve a blood test to determine how much carboxyhaemoglobin you have in your blood (this occurs when the haemoglobin in your blood is exposed to carbon monoxide). It is treated by providing oxygen through breathing apparatus, until the level of carboxyhaemoglobin drops to a safe level. How long this takes will depend upon how much carbon monoxide you have been exposed to and for how long.
How do I make a carbon monoxide claim?
Call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online today for a no-obligation conversation about your claim with one of our specialist carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers
We’ll assess your claim and help you collect all the necessary evidence, working with medical experts and witnesses to support your case
As part of your claim, we will need to access your medical records and arrange an examination with an independent medical expert who specialises in providing legal evidence
Your solicitor will also arrange for any additional treatment or care that could help your recovery and future independence, securing interim payments to cover the cost where liability has been established
We’ll work hard to secure the best possible compensation in negotiations. Rarely, a claim may go to court, in which case your solicitor will represent you through proceedings
What evidence do I need to bring a carbon monoxide poisoning claim?
To support your carbon monoxide poisoning claim, we will need to collect evidence to prove that someone else is responsible for your illness through negligence, as well as the impact the illness has had on your daily life and finances. Evidence will usually consist of:
Medical records that detail your diagnosis and prognosis
Any financial losses you have suffered due to your illness
Witness statements, such as those who identified the fault with the gas appliance or someone who can attest to the impact the illness has had on you
How much compensation can I claim for carbon monoxide poisoning?
As you might expect, the level of compensation you might receive depends on the extent of the poisoning and seriousness of the effects. There is no set figure for carbon monoxide compensation claims, though where lasting after-effects such as brain damage or death have occurred, judgements in the millions of pounds have been made.
What’s more, while there are rarely quick and easy resolutions to these cases, we often seek interim payments to support our clients while a final compensation figure is being agreed.
Why should I choose Slater and Gordon’s carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers?
Carbon monoxide can be incredibly dangerous and, at its worst, have fatal consequences. If you or a loved one has been made to suffer due to someone else’s mistake or negligence, you may be entitled to claim carbon monoxide poisoning compensation.
Our industry-leading team of solicitors have earned top ranking from independent legal guides (Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500), as well as esteemed accreditations from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
We know that moving forward involves more than just legal advice and compensation, which is why we work closely with medical professionals to determine the impact of your injuries long-term and identify any additional support and rehabilitation you may need.
To discuss your case in more detail and find out how we can help you gain access to the compensation and support you deserve, get in touch with our specialist carbon monoxide lawyers today.
Speak to our carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers today
Overall, Slater and Gordon provided a very good service to me. From the first phone call through to the last correspondence they were so helpful and understanding towards me. Always listened to me and acted on my wishes. Would definitely use them again!
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Excellent staff! As well as keeping me well informed at all times on my claim, the communication was first class. Staff should be commended on their work commitments and service to public.
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I would like to say a big thank you to you and your team for an outstanding job, and I will be advising everybody to use you. Once again, thank you.
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If you believe that someone else is responsible for your carbon monoxide poisoning, or that of a loved one, you could be entitled to make a carbon monoxide claim. This could be due to negligence on behalf of an employer, a landlord, or a manufacturer if the carbon monoxide poisoning was caused by a faulty product.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is almost always the result of somebody else's negligence. If you have been exposed to it in a rental property, the person with legal responsibility to you is your landlord. They are required by law to have a working carbon monoxide detector in every room where solid fuel is burned, and to ensure that gas appliances are annually serviced and properly ventilated.
How long do I have to start a carbon monoxide claim?
As with many other personal injury claims, you have three years from the date you first realised you were ill to make a claim for carbon monoxide poisoning compensation.
There are exceptions to this rule; for instance, if you are claiming on behalf of a child, a loved one who has died, or someone who lacks the mental capacity to be able to make a claim for themselves.
Can I make a No Win No Fee carbon monoxide poisoning claim?
Yes, you can. We take on most of our carbon monoxide poisoning claims on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to you, and no legal fees to pay if your claim is unsuccessful. Find out more about making a No Win No Fee claim.
Overall, Slater and Gordon provided a very good service to me. From the first phone call through to the last correspondence they were so helpful and understanding towards me. Always listened to me and acted on my wishes. Would definitely use them again! Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
Excellent staff! As well as keeping me well informed at all times on my claim, the communication was first class. Staff should be commended on their work commitments and service to public. Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
I would like to say a big thank you to you and your team for an outstanding job, and I will be advising everybody to use you. Once again, thank you. Client testimonial (Personal Injury)