Carbon Monoxide Attorney | Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Why Is There No National Law Requiring Hotels To Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Posted on 2nd February 2012 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning, hotel carbon monoxide poisoning, West Virginia carbon monoxide poisoning

A guest at a West Virginia hotel died of carbon monoxide poisoning this week, and his demise has prompted the local mayor to try to take action. He wants to require that all lodgings in his city install carbon monoxide detectors. But this tragedy is not only a lesson for him, but for states across the nation.

Tuesday construction worker William Moran, a 44-year-old Rhode Island resident, was found dead in a fifth floor room of the Holiday Inn Express in South Charleston, W. Va., according to the Associated Press. Four other men were also discovered in that room, suffering from symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/west-virginia-hotel-evacuated-after-1-guest-dies-4-others-sick-carbon-monoxide-detected/2012/01/31/gIQAgMtefQ_story.html

The hotel was evacuated, and authorities found high levels of the deadly gas. They believe the carbon monoxide came from a pool heater.

South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens was shocked by the death, and wants an ordinance drafted to mandate that hotels to install life-saving carbon monoxide detectors, according to the Daily Mail. That paper then went on to do a stellar job of explaining the ridiculousness of hotels being required to have smoke alarms, but not carbon monoxide detectors.

http://blogs.wvgazette.com/watchdog/2012/02/01/why-doesnt-w-va-require-co-alarms-in-hotels/

Some 25 states have laws requiring carbon monoxide detectors in residential businesses, including West Virginia. But only a handful of states — apparently New Jersey, Michigan, Vermont, Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Minnesota – require the monitors in hotels, according to the Daily Mail.

But the newspaper cites data from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine that says a survey of 100 hotel-chain properties found that only 11 percent of them had installed carbon monoxide detectors.

The Daily Mail also referred to statistics from 1989 to 2004, which said there were 68 incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning at hotels, with 772 sickened. Of those, 27 people died.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association recommends that its members install carbon monoxide detectors in their hotels, according to the Daily Mail.

But what is it going to take, how many senseless deaths, to get national legislation ordering hotels to have carbon monoxide detectors?

Attorney Gordon Johnson
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Carbon Monoxide Leak In Baltimore Apartment Sends Seven To Hospital

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Posted on 30th January 2012 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning

A carbon monoxide leak in a Baltimore apartment resulted in seven people being sent to the hospital Sunday, according to The Baltimore Sun.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-carbon-monoxide-20120129,0,6184580.story

The Baltimore Fire Department was called to the scene, an apartment on Edgewood Road, when someone reported an odor in the building. Residents said they had headaches, and authorities determined that the carbon monoxide level was 60 parts per million, The Baltimore Sun reported. That’s a high enough level to cause symptoms to those exposed to it.

Four residents were sent to the University of Maryland and three to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment. Their exposure wasn’t life-threatening, according to the local newspaper.

Fire officials hadn’t found the cause of the carbon monoxide leak.

Boston Mother And Three Children Hospitalized For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

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Posted on 24th January 2012 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning and boilers

A Boston mother and her three sons, suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, were hospitalized Monday morning, according to The Boston Globe.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/01/23/four-hyde-park-residents-taken-hospital-suffering-from-carbon-monoxide-exposure/ECAeoiyfWFieW7n6g7CBnM/story.html

The four victims, who live in the Hyde Park section, had to be transported from their home at Warren Avenue to Massachusetts General Hospital at roughly 8 a.m., The Globe reported.

Two of the victims of the potentially lethal gas were in serious condition, and the other two were stable.

Firefighters came to the scene in response to a report about an unconscious person, TheBostonChannel.com reported. The unconscious victim was a boy. He, two other boys and their mother were all taken to the hospital.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/30276647/detail.html

What’s perplexing about the incident is that the owner of the home, Jen Louisia, told TheBostonChannel.com that he had called 911 the day before after a carbon monoxide detector sounding off. Firefighters came to investigate, but they told Louisia not to worry about the alarm going off, that he just needed to change the battery.

Fire officials now suspect that a faulty boiler was the likely source of the carbon monoxide leak, but they don’t know why investigators hadn’t found high carbon monoxide levels in the house on Saturday.

Carbon Monoxide Sickens 42 Midshipmen At Long Island Merchant Marine Academy

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Posted on 10th January 2012 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning, Merchant marine carbon monoxide poisoning, Navien water heater recall

In one of the largest cases of carbon monoxide poisoning that we recall, 42 students at the Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, N.Y., this weekend were hospitalized following a leak of the lethal gas, according to The Los Angeles Times.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/01/carbon-monoxide-leak-sickens-42-midshipmen-on-long-island.html

A spokewoman for North Shore University Hospital told The Times that eight of the students, called midshipmen, were treated at her facility after being brought there at 11 p.m. Sunday. They were released about four hours later. The rest of the students, who are being trained to be officers in the merchant marine, were taken to other medical facilities for treatment.

Authorities suspect that a faulty water heater was responsible for the carbon monoxide leak, The Times reported.

Recently there was a recall of Navien water heaters, because of a faulty hose connection that could lead to a carbon monoxide leak. But there was no mention of what type of water heater the academy had.

The academy is located in Kings Point, some 20 miles from New York City.

The Times quoted several statistics about carbon monoxide poisoning from the Centers for Disease Control in its story. Carbon monoxide accounts for more than 20,000 emergency visits each year. In additon, 4,000 are hospitalized and 400 die from exposure to the colorless, odorless gas.

Green Bay Hotel Had Lethal Carbon Monoxide Levels In Leak That Sent 16 To The Hospital

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Posted on 7th January 2012 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

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The Hilton Garden Inn in Green Bay is apparently still keeping mum about a carbon monoxide leak a week ago that lead to about 16 people going to the hospital. At least, that what the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported Friday.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012201060552

The newspaper did a follow-up story that published information from the Green Bay Fire Department’s report on the carbon monoxide incident at 1015 Lombardi Ave. Apparently, there was no mention in the report of whether the hotel had carbon monoxide detectors, as required by Wisconsin state law.

According to the records, EMTs got to the Hilton Garden Inn at 9 p.m. on Dec. 30. They found four people, including several children, who had the classic symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Then more hotel guests came forward and complained of having similar symptoms, the Press-Gazette reported. Firefighters said that two sick people were transported to a hospital by ambulance, a 17-year-old woman and a 25-year-old woman. In addition, roughly 14 others went to the hospital in private vehicles.

The fire report on the incident said that high levels of carbon monoxide were found in a swimmng pool area, a workout room, a mechanical room, a stairway and several restrooms, according to the Press-Gazette.

The newspaper stated that fire officials found carbon monoxide levels up to 800 parts per million near the pool and 957 parts per million in an equipment room. Those readings soar above the carbon monoxide level that sometimes prompts the evacuation of buildings: 9 parts per million.

Firefighters pulled the plug on any potential sources of carbon monoxide, ventilated the hotel and had hotel employees check on other occupants at the 123-room facility. The fire crew left the scene about 11:30 p.m.

If the Green Bay Fire Department report said anything about carbon monoxide detectors, then the Press-Gazette didn’t mention it. And we doubt that.

Hilton Garden Inn general manager Michelle Lang declined to comment to the Press-Gazette. Maybe that answers the question about the carbon monoxide detectors.

Four Hospitalized For Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Green Bay Hotel

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Posted on 3rd January 2012 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning, hotels and carbon monoxide detectors, hotels and carbon monoxide poisoning, Wisconsin carbon monoxide attorney, Wisconsin carbon monoxide lawyer, Wisconsin carbon monoxide poisoning

In the second unfortunate case of this type I’ve seen recently, four guests — including two children – at the Hilton Garden Inn in Green Bay were hospitalized for apparent carbon monoxide poisoning Friday, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111231/GPG0101/111231024/4-taken-hospital-after-suspected-carbon-monoxide-leak-Lambeau-area-hotel

The incident happened at the hotel near Lambeau Field at 1015 Lombardi Ave. And this isn’t the first near-tragedy of its kind in Green Bay: I am currently handling a lawsuit that involves carbon monoxide poisoning of patrons at a Days Inn located in that city.

In the case at the Hilton Garden Inn, the two children who became sick were in the vicinity of the hotel’s swimming pool, according to the Press Gazette. Those poor kids were taken to the hospital by ambulance, while the two adults who became ill from their exposure to carbon monoxide were transported by private cars.

Green Bay fire officials are blaming a heating system malfunction for the carbon monoxide leak. There were high levels of carbon monoxide not only in the room where the heating system was located, but in the pool area, as well.

Officials at the Hilton Garden Inn couldn’t be reached for comment by the Press Gazette. And maybe there’s a reason for that. The reporter would have asked them the same question that authorities, and I, would have asked: Does your hotel have carbon monoxide detectors? And if it does, why weren’t there any near the pool?

There are 25 states that require installation of carbon monoxide detectors in various kinds of residential and public buildings, including Wisconsin. And Wisconsin requires them in hotels.

Here is what the Wisconsin law mandates:

“Requires installation of carbon monoxide detectors in certain areas of residential buildings (defined as a tourist rooming hosue, a bed and breakfast, or any public building that is used for sleeping or lodging purposes). Sets forth installation requirements, obligations and liabilities for owners of such residential buildings.”

http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=13238

If the Hilton Garden Inn had carbon monoxide detectors, why did four people get sick Friday night? And if the hotel had them, why were there none by the pool? Or did it have them, but they weren’t functioning properly?

And if the hotel didn’t have them, it would appear to be in violation of state law.

Either way, something went terribly wrong.

Will Consumers Find Out About The Navien Heater Recall, Due To Carbon Monoxide Risk?

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Posted on 31st December 2011 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning, Navien water heater recall, water heaters anc carbon monoxide poisoning, Wisconsin carbon monoxide lawyer

Earlier this week the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the voluntary recall of 13,000 tankless waters heaters. These heaters pose a threat of leaking carbon monoxide, a lethal colorless, odorless gas.

But we have to wonder, how many people are aware of this recall? And how many people could be victims of carbon monoxide poisoning from these Korean-made heaters, which were distributed by Navien America Inc. of Irvine, Calif.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12074.html

The Navien water heaters pose a hazard because “an unstable connection can cause the water heater’s vent collar to separate or detach if pressure is applied,” according to the CPCS’s press release. ”A detached vent collar poses a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the consumer,” the CPCS said.

Although there have been no reports in injuries yet, these heaters pose a serious danger.

Today we Googled ”Navien heater recall” to see how much press coverage the recall got. Although almost 200 stories came up in that search. That may sound like a lot, but most of them buried the heater recall as part of roundups of many other product recalls.

It’s too bad the CPCS doesn’t have a more comprehensive method of distributing news about its recalls, especially one involving such a potentially dangerous product, the Navien heaters.

Let’s hope word does spread and these 13,000 heaters are found and returned.

Iowa Man Dies From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Wife Still Surviving

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Posted on 5th December 2011 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning, Iowa carbon monoxide poisoning

An Iowa man died Sunday after being hospitalized for nearly two weeks for carbon monoxide poisoning, while his wife remains a survivor of the lethal gas that filled their home, according to the Quad-Cities Times.

http://qctimes.com/news/local/davenport-man-dies-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning/article_c4000e3e-1ee3-11e1-a221-0019bb2963f4.html

John Christiansen, a 59-year-old Davenport man, was at Trinity Pathway Hospice, Bettendorf, when he passed away Sunday. He and his wife Donna were discovered, unresponsive, by one of their sons on Nov. 22, the Quad-Cities Times reported.

The couple was brought to Iowa City on that date. Donna had been treated at University Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, but the Quad-Cities Times couldn’t confirm whether she is still a patient there or what her condition is.

Last week local fire officials said that the Christiansens sustained carbon monoxide poisoning because of a “improperly installed vent cap on the roof, which appears to be recently installed,” according to the Quad-Cities Times.

When EMTs came to the Christiansen home the day of the incident, John had already been taken out of the house by one or more of the couple’s sons. The medics then helped the family get Donna out of the house,

Local officials are using the tragedy as a teaching moment, telling Iowa residents that they should have carbon monoxide detectors and check fuel-burning devices, the Quad-Cities Times reported.

Donna Christiansen works for the Davenport Public Library System, and her husband had just retired from Rock Island Arsenal.

Nine People Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Hackensack, N.J., Home

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Posted on 29th November 2011 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide lawyer, carbon monoxide poisoning

Sometimes it’s a good thing when relatives stop over, uninvited. Here’s a case in point.

Three Hackensack, N.J., residents escaped death from carbon monoxide poisoning Monday when visiting relatives stopped by their house to pay a call on them, according to The Record.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/9_treated_for_carbon_monoxide_poisoning_in_Hackensack.html

A married couple and their 14-year-old son — after being made ill from the lethal fumes coming from a furnace — were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center in serious conditon, The Record reported.

They were found unconscious at their home at roughly noon by relatives who were in Hackensack to attend a wedding, according to the newspaper.

The carbon monoxide levels were so high that the four relatives who discovered the family, as well as the two police offcers who responded to the call, also had to be transported to the hospital, The Record reported. Those six had developed some of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, including nausea and headaches.

The married couple that was found by their relatives were transferred to Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, so they could be treated in a hyperbaric chamber. Their son was still at Hackensack University Medical Center.

The police officers and relatives who found the unconscious trio were all treated and released. Those relativies, two adults and two children, had only been in the house for less than an hour, and the police for a half hour, when they got sick.

The visiting relatives had been staying in a local hotel while they attended a wedding last weekend, according to The Record.

Authorities said that they detected a carbon monoxide level of 1,000 parts per million at one point in the home, the newspaper reported.

The deadly fumes apparently came from a damaged flue, which is supposed to funnel exhaust out of the house. But authorities said that flue had rotted and wasn’t properly venting the exhaust.

Chicago Thanksgiving Party Ends Up With 20 Ill From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

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Posted on 26th November 2011 by Gordon Johnson in Uncategorized

carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide attorney, carbon monoxide poisoning, Chicago carbon monoxide attorney, Chicago carbon monoxide lawyer, grills and carbon monoxide poisoning, Wisconsin carbon monoxide attorney

When are people going to learn this lesson: Don’t use a grill inside your home.

On Thanksgiving night 20 people at a party in Chicago got carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Chicago Tribune.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-24/news/chi-20-people-suffer-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-20111124_1_carbon-monoxide-poisoning-thanksgiving-party-area-hospitals

And how did they get poisoned by that potentially lethal gas?

Someone was using a grill inside a home on West Roscoe Street in the Kilbourn Park neighborhood where the incident took place. Were they trying to grill the bird like a hamburger?

Seven people were sent to West Suburban Medical Center and Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center, and another 13 were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at the scene, according to the Tribune.

The incident happened before 11 p.m.

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Why Is There No National Law Requiring Hotels To Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Carbon Monoxide Leak In Baltimore Apartment Sends Seven To Hospital

Boston Mother And Three Children Hospitalized For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide Sickens 42 Midshipmen At Long Island Merchant Marine Academy

Green Bay Hotel Had Lethal Carbon Monoxide Levels In Leak That Sent 16 To The Hospital

Four Hospitalized For Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Green Bay Hotel

Will Consumers Find Out About The Navien Heater Recall, Due To Carbon Monoxide Risk?

Iowa Man Dies From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Wife Still Surviving

Nine People Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Hackensack, N.J., Home

Chicago Thanksgiving Party Ends Up With 20 Ill From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

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