One person has died and five others have been sickened after all were exposed to carbon monoxide in a two-story home in Fordham in the Bronx. According to a News 12 report, officials said there was a gas leak at the home on Walton Avenue the night of Jan. 19. Fire officials said carbon monoxide (CO) levels were extremely high in the building reaching up to 300 parts per million. In all, six people needed medical attention including two EMTs. The extent of their injuries is not clear at this time.
Hazardous Conditions in the Building
Officials say the person who died suffered a cardiac arrest. Neighbors told News 12 the deceased individual was a visitor and not a tenant at the building. The New York City Department of Buildings has issued a summons and multiple violations to the building. An order to vacate has also been issued. Officials with the Department of Buildings also told News 12 that the second floor and the basement of the home had been converted into 10 illegal single-room occupancy units.
A CBS news report said the Department of Buildings found hazardous conditions with a boiler and piping. A man who lives on the first floor told CBS his carbon monoxide detector was not working and that he was upset with the management and owner. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by this incident.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breathing carbon monoxide can cause headache, dizziness, vomiting and nausea. If carbon monoxide levels are high enough, you may become unconscious or die. Exposure to moderate and high levels of carbon monoxide over long periods of time has also been linked with increased risk of heart disease. People who survive severe carbon monoxide poisoning may suffer long-term health problems as well. Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless gas that is found in combustion fumes such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gas engines, stoves, lanterns, gas rangers, boilers and heating systems.
Property Owners’ and Property Managers’ Responsibilities
Under New York City laws, property owners and/or property managers must provide and install at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm within each dwelling unit. The carbon monoxide alarms must be installed within fifteen feet of the primary entrance to each sleeping room. This applies to all multiple dwellings and one- and two-family homes.
It is also the responsibility of building owners and managers to ensure that these carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. The law requires building owners to replace any detectors that are lost, stolen or become inoperable. Carbon monoxide detectors have the potential to save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 80,100 non-fire CO incidents in which carbon monoxide was found, or an average of nine such calls per hour. The number of incidents grew 96 percent from 40,900 incidents reported in 2003. This surge is most likely due to the increased use of CO detectors, which alert people to the presence of CO.
If you have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of equipment or appliances that have been properly maintained by the landlord, or because you don’t have working carbon monoxide detectors in your unit, you may be able to seek compensation for the damages and losses sustained.
In cases where the lack of working carbon monoxide detectors contributes to serious injuries, injured victims or families of deceased victims can file a premises liability claim against the several liable parties including, but not limited to, the landlord, property owner, property manager, etc. Property owners and/or property managers are responsible for maintaining their properties and ensuring that they are safe for tenants, visitors and guests.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of carbon monoxide exposure or as the result of a fire, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. Our firm obtained a $985,000 settlement out of a $1 million policy for two people who suffered smoke inhalation injuries because the homeowner did not have smoke detectors installed and the $15,000 was left for a person that we did not represent. One of our clients recovered $2,500,000 due to a faulty space heater.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: http://bronx.news12.com/story/39780851/officials-1-dead-5-others-affected-by-carbon-monoxide-exposure-in-bronx-building