One Person Injured In Chicago Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Accident At Gage Park Apartment on West 54th Place
Unsafe Premises - December 1, 2022
One Person Hospitalized In Carbon Monoxide Accident At Apartment In Gage Park, Chicago On West 54th Street
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (December 1, 2022) – One person injured in Chicago carbon monoxide poisoning accident at apartment building in Gage Park on West 54th Street.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident began around 8:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the two story apartment in Gage Park after getting reports about a possible leak.
Residents inside the building were evacuated and gas was shut off. One person was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.
It was later determined carbon monoxide was leaking in the building and reached levels over 400 ppm which can potentially be fatal. A malfunctioning furnace is believed to be the source of the carbon monoxide leak.
A full investigation remains ongoing a this time.
Liability For Chicago Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Accidents
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that is commonly produced when fossil fuels are being burned. Exposure to CO at 70 ppm can lead to someone becoming sick. There are numerous symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning including headache, dizziness, upset stomach and chest pain. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide at 150 – 200 ppm can lead to unconsciousness and death. There are many steps that people should take if they suspect that there might be a CO leak.
- People exposed to CO should get to fresh air as quickly as possible.
- Anyone that suspects a CO leak should call 911 after they are safe outside.
- People exposed to CO should seek medical attention as early as possible.
The owner of an apartment could potentially be liable for a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code (740 ILCS 130/1), property owners must maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action to correct the dangerous condition. Apartment owners will need to do periodic maintenance on appliances. Failing to perform periodic maintenance on furnaces or other devices that could leak CO could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after a carbon monoxide leak.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Maintenance records should be examined.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
Victims of carbon monoxide accidents may suffer very serious and lasting injuries. It can be difficult to know what to do after any accident. But it is important for accident victims to know that they do have rights. They have the ability to seek damages through a civil claim if that is what they choose. However, property owners will often fight hard to deny liability for any accident. This is why it is so important that all evidence is properly preserved after any accident.
Investigating A Chicago CO Poisoning Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the person injured in the carbon monoxide poisoning accident at this Gage Park apartment. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Steps should be taken to prevent other incidents like this.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about an incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
