Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

While hard to determine exactly how frequently carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in hotels, resorts, and restaurants, it does happen and unfortunately, can often be fatal. While there isn’t a clearinghouse or agency that monitors and tracks carbon monoxide poisonings in these establishments, it is a problem that deserves pause, possibly even more so since there is no real universal data collection system on the issue.

One recent report originating from the hotel industry estimated some 95 guests were poisoned in 115 separate incidents, which included 22 fatalities. These incidents were tallied within a 13-year period. However, often times, guests and patrons can experience carbon monoxide poisoning, go to the hospital but never report the incident. For this reason, the true scope of the problem is difficult to pin point.

The carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys at Hollis Wright have experience in handling these difficult cases. In fact, HWC Managing Partner Josh Wright has handled several hotel, resort, and/or restaurant carbon monoxide poisonings and recovered damages for the victims. Notably, Mr. Wright settled a case for an undisclosed amount for his clients (seven ladies) who were carbon monoxide poisoned while staying at the Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge. “Our intent was to find out what caused the poisoning, why there were no working carbon monoxide detectors at the Lodge and to make sure this event never happens again,” he said. “We are pleased to have been able to raise awareness as to the importance of maintaining working carbon monoxide detectors.”

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a carbon monoxide poisoning incident in a hotel, a motel, a restaurant, or a resort, call the skilled carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys at Hollis Wright for a free and confidential consultation. Because of the nature of the claim, it is important that you have someone on your side who has handled this type of case in the past and is well versed in the laws relating to this type of personal injury. Because these cases involve technology and engineering, experts are almost always required. Having the right attorney with the resources to fully and completely investigate your claim is critical to success. Call us as soon as you have received medical attention for a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning incident at 205.324.3600 or 844.LAW.TALK or online here.

Carbon monoxide is deadly and is undetectable without the proper equipment. It’s a colorless and odorless gas. In hotels, resorts, and restaurants, a carbon monoxide leak is usually caused by three things: problems with a hotel pool heater, problems in a furnace in the actual guest room, or problems with hot water heaters and boilers. It is imperative that all rooms have carbon monoxide detectors, but this isn’t always the case.

Poisoning from carbon monoxide presents itself as headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. The symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” Enough carbon monoxide will cause you to pass out and will lead to death. The scariest part about carbon monoxide poisoning is that the symptoms seem flu-like and common place until they progress into irreversible brain damage, cardiac conditions, and death.

It is imperative that should you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel, resort, or hotel, that you go immediately to an emergency room. As soon as you are able, call the us at 844.LAW.TALK or 205.324.3600 or contact us online here. If a family member has died due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a hotel, resort, or restaurant, be sure you call us as soon as possible so that we can begin collecting evidence and investigating. Let us help you during your time of grief and healing.