Carbon Monoxide Claims

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Compensation Claims

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Compensation Claims

No Win No Fee Claims for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Compensation

Duncan Lewis is one of the UK’s leading firms of personal injury and Legal Aid solicitors – and can advise on how to make a no win no fee claim for carbon monoxide poisoning compensation.

Recognising Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless but extremely poisonous gas which is emitted from faulty heaters, water heaters, boilers, camping and cooking equipment – and even cigarettes. Burning carbon fuels like gas, wood, coal or oil results in CO emissions.

Gas boilers or water heaters must be fitted or repaired by a registered Gas Safe engineer in the UK – but sometimes bogus gas fitters with fake Gas Safe Certificates carry out work and CO poisoning can be the result. Gas Safe engineers should always be checked online to make sure they are genuine.

Carbon monoxide poisoning has sadly also caused deaths and injury among holidaymakers staying in apartments abroad which had poorly maintained or incorrectly fitted gas boilers or water heaters.

CO poisoning can also occur if camping gas cookers or barbecues are used near the open flap of a tent or open door of a caravan – CO accumulates inside the small enclosed space undetected. For this reason, camping gas cookers and barbecues must never be used in or near enclosed spaces such as balconies, near tents or caravans, or indoors – and car engines should never be left running in a garage, or as a means of heating up a tent or caravan.

CO monitors should also be used in the home and taken on holiday.

Signs of CO in a room are:

• Heavier than usual condensation including on walls
• Dark or sooty deposits round a boiler or water heater
• Dark or sooty edging to a ceiling
• Yellow/orange flame in boilers instead of a blue flame.

Symptoms of CO poisoning are:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Nausea
• Shallow breathing
• Sleepiness
• Slow pulse
• Stomach ache
• Unconsciousness.

CO poisoning can result in permanent brain injury or death if help is not sought. If you suspect CO is present in your home or holiday apartment, turn off the cooker, heater, boiler or water heater, open the windows and leave immediately and then call a Gas Safe engineer for help or inform your holiday company rep or the manager of your holiday apartment.

It is always a good idea to leave a window open while you are cooking and/or smoking cigarettes at home or on holiday – and check your CO alarm batteries are working every week.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Compensation Claims

If you are injured as a result of CO poisoning, you can make a claim for compensation if Faulty Goods or faulty or fraudulent workmanship were to blame – or the CO poisoning was caused by the negligence of someone else, such as a holiday apartment rental company.

If you booked a package holiday and suffered CO poisoning as a result of negligence, you can make a Holiday Accident & Illness Claim under the Package Travel Regulations 1992.

If CO poisoning happened in a public place such as a leisure centre, you can make a Public Liability Claim for carbon monoxide poisoning compensation.

Claims for fatal Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

In the case of fatalities as a result of CO poisoning, the dependants of a loved one who has died could make a Fatal Injury Claim against the party liable for the CO poisoning.

Contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors for advice on making a claim.

How long do I have to claim for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Compensation?

Claims for carbon monoxide poisoning compensation fall under the area of law known as personal injury.

Personal injury claimants usually have three years from the date of the injury to make a claim for carbon monoxide poisoning compensation.

Claims can sometimes be made outside the three-year limitation period, however – and minors have three years from the age of 18 to make a claim.

Because of the limitation period for personal injury claims, it is important to seek legal advice from Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors as soon as possible if you are ill as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Family members can call Duncan Lewis for advice on making a claim if a loved one has suffered CO poisoning and is still recovering in hospital.

How much compensation can I claim for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Compensation for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claims includes:

• General Damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
  The exact amount will be assessed according to the extent of injury, estimated recovery time and rehabilitation needed – and whether further medical treatment or even lifelong care is needed.
• Special Damages to cover medical fees and out-of-pocket expenses
  Expenses might include physiotherapy if permanent disability or brain injury has resulted from CO poisoning – as well as loss of earnings, travel expenses to hospital or damage to personal items. In more serious cases, ongoing care, loss of future salary and pension or adaptations to your home would be included.

Who pays the compensation for carbon monoxide poisoning claims?

The insurance company of whoever is liable for carbon monoxide poisoning will settle any claim – such as a tour operator’s insurer, a gas fitter’s professional liability insurer or a gas company’s insurer.

In cases of CO poisoning which results from fraudulent workmanship by bogus gas fitters, claims can be made under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme – and a no win no fee claim against the bogus gas fitter could also be made.

Will I have to go to court to claim compensation?

Your Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitor will keep you fully informed at all stages of the case.

Some carbon monoxide poisoning compensation claims are settled out-of-court – Duncan Lewis personal injury lawyers negotiate hard to get the best settlement for you.

But if a court hearing is necessary, Duncan Lewis instructs leading barristers who specialise in personal injury cases, to make sure you have the best legal representation possible.

In the case of minors, compensation settlements have to be approved at an Infant Settlement Hearing at the local County Court – and the child and their “Litigation Friend” (usually a parent or guardian) have to attend.

Why Duncan Lewis is the best solicitor for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Compensation Claims

• Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors understand just how devastating carbon monoxide poisoning can be – we believe in putting you and your family first to obtain the best results for you
• Duncan Lewis is one of the leading firms of Personal Injury and Legal Aid solicitors in the UK
• Our initial advice on making a claim for carbon monoxide poisoning compensation is free
• Duncan Lewis accepts carbon monoxide compensation claims on a no win no fee basis, so you will not have to worry about legal fees
• We will visit you at home if you are recovering from carbon monoxide poisoning – and can arrange expert medical opinions to help back up your claim
• Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors will make sure you understand every stage of your carbon monoxide claim
• We will handle negotiations for you, so you do not have to worry while you are recovering from the effects of CO poisoning.

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors have a successful track record in personal injury claims – and will make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to if you have suffered CO poisoning as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Contact Duncan Lewis for free advice on making a carbon monoxide poisoning compensation claim by calling 020 7923 4020.