Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause severe injury and death to people exposed to it. In many cases, victims suffer significant harm before even realizing something is wrong, and the symptoms of CO poisoning can be mistaken for a variety of other illnesses and conditions.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries caused by carbon monoxide poisoning in Greeneville, Tennessee, contact The Terry Law Firm for a free consultation about your potential personal injury lawsuit. One of our knowledgeable and experienced carbon monoxide attorneys will review your situation and discuss who could be liable for your injuries.

Do I Have a Valid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claim in Greeneville?

While not every carbon monoxide poisoning leads to a legal claim, many do. In Tennessee, you may have a valid claim if your poisoning was the result of someone else’s negligence.

For example, your landlord could have been negligent if they failed to install or maintain carbon monoxide detectors or did not remedy known hazards on the property, such as a faulty furnace or gas water heater. It is crucial that you be able to connect their negligent actions to your carbon monoxide poisoning through robust evidence. Our lawyers can help with that.

In defective product cases, rather than proving negligence, you must prove only that the defect existed and caused your injuries. That means demonstrating that, for example, a carbon monoxide detector was faulty or that a water heater or other appliance had a defect that caused it to emit dangerous levels of CO.

What Compensation Can I Get for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

The carbon monoxide poisoning compensation you could receive through a personal injury case against the responsible party may cover the following losses:

  • Medical expenses – Covered medical costs include emergency treatment, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future medical care you may need.
  • Lost income – You can seek compensation for the wages you lost while recovering from your injuries and the reduction in earning capacity your injuries will cause.
  • Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, and the impact your injuries have on your overall quality of life may make up a significant portion of your settlement or award.
  • Wrongful death – If a loved one passed away due to carbon monoxide poisoning, surviving family members may be able to seek fair compensation for funeral expenses and burial costs, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Legal Process FAQ

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuits in Greeneville, TN.

How do you prove carbon monoxide poisoning was caused by negligence?

Proving carbon monoxide poisoning was caused by negligence requires gathering various types of evidence, such as maintenance records, product defect reports, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony. Our carbon monoxide lawyers can gather this evidence while you recover from your injuries.

What if I did not realize I had carbon monoxide poisoning right away?

CO poisoning symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses, making it challenging to identify CO poisoning as the cause. However, if you later learn that carbon monoxide poisoning is what caused your harm and can establish a connection between your symptoms and the exposure event, you may still be able to seek compensation.

Can I sue my landlord for carbon monoxide poisoning in Tennessee?

You could have a valid claim against your landlord for carbon monoxide poisoning in Tennessee if they failed to maintain the appliance that caused the CO leak, provide proper ventilation for gases to leave the property, or install working CO detectors, for example.

What if multiple family members were poisoned?

When multiple family members experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, each of them can have their own legal case and seek compensation for the harm they suffered. If one of your loved ones passed away due to poisoning, your family may also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

How long do I have to file a carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuit?

Under Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit is only one year from the date of injury. However, because it can be difficult to identify CO poisoning as the cause of your injuries, the time limit may not begin until you realize what caused your illness, or reasonably should have realized it.

It is essential to speak to an experienced carbon monoxide injury lawyer about your case to determine the exact amount of time you have to file your lawsuit.

What if the carbon monoxide detector was present but didn’t work?

If a carbon monoxide detector was present but did not work, it could be the result of poor maintenance, improper installation, or a product defect. Our lawyers can investigate the detector’s failure to identify the cause, so we can help you hold the proper party liable for the injuries you sustained.

What Makes Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases Complex?

Carbon monoxide poisoning cases are complex for the following key reasons:

  • Detecting difficulties – Because CO is colorless and odorless, it can be difficult to detect and prove when the exposure occurred, particularly if a significant time has passed.
  • Multiple potential defendants – Identifying who is responsible for your CO poisoning injuries can be tricky, as landlords, property managers, manufacturers, contractors, maintenance providers, and others could all share liability.
  • Medical complications – CO poisoning can lead to long-term brain damage that may not be immediately clear, making it harder to estimate your future medical needs and the complications that could arise.
  • Evidence preservation – Appliances, carbon monoxide detectors, and property conditions should be inspected before they are repaired or replaced to identify the cause of the poisoning.
  • Insurance challenges – The liable party or their insurance company may attempt to reduce your payout by shifting blame onto other parties or downplaying the severity of your injuries. You must get legal representation from a highly qualified carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer to fight back against these tactics and protect your rights and interests.

Our Experienced Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyers Want to Help You

If you sustained injuries due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Greeneville, TN, contact The Terry Law Firm for a free consultation with an experienced carbon monoxide poisoning attorney. Our law office has been providing legal services to people in Greeneville and throughout East Tennessee since 1960. We are ready to help you seek a full financial recovery for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses.