FAQ
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning FAQ
Q. What is carbon monoxide (also called CO)?
A. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel, including natural gas, propane and even firewood. Appliances fueled with these fuels may produce CO. Since CO is a deadly gas, it is important to properly ventilate all areas where people may be present.
Q. Where does CO come from?
A. Carbon monoxide is produced when a device fails to completely burn fuel. Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance in your home is a potential CO source. Under normal circumstances, CO should not be detectable in the typical home or workplace.
When appliances are kept in good working condition, they produce little CO, and this CO should be vented away from people. But improperly operating or improperly vented appliances can produce excessive carbon monoxide. Long-term exposure to low levels of CO can be just as deadly as short-term, high-level exposure to this poisonous gas. Common sources of CO include the following wood or gas fueled appliances: Room heaters, Furnaces, Charcoal grills, Cooking ranges, Water heaters, Automobiles run in closed garages, Fireplaces, Portable generators, Wood burning stoves, and Boilers.
Q. Who is at risk of CO poisoning?
A. Any person or animal in space shared with a device capable of generating CO should be considered at risk of CO poisoning. CO exposure is even more dangerous for unborn babies, infants, and people with anemia or a history of heart disease. Breathing low levels of the chemical can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. CO poisoning can even result in permanent damage to your heart.
Each year, nearly 5,000 people in the United States are treated in hospital emergency rooms for CO poisoning; however, this number is believed to be an underestimate of CO poisoning because many people with CO symptoms mistake the symptoms for the flu or are misdiagnosed.
Q. What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
A. Because CO gas has no warning properties; that is, it has no odor and has no color, even at toxic or life threatening levels, it is considered a silent killer.
Although not always experienced, the initial symptoms of CO are similar to the flu (but without the fever). But it can also mimic other ailments like the flu or an stomach upset. The symptoms of CO poisoning include: Dizziness, Fatigue, Headache, Nausea, Blurred Vision, Irregular Heartbeat, and Difficulty Breathing.
Q. How can I prevent CO poisoning?
A. Dangerous levels of CO can be prevented by making sure that any appliance in or around your home that burns fuel is regularly serviced and cleaned. Also, make sure to have an annual inspection of the ventilation system that is designed to remove CO from your home, including the fireplace chimney. You can minimize risk of CO poisoning by purchasing CO detectors and placing them throughout the living space of your home and next to your bedroom. Be sure to purchase CO detectors with battery back-ups.
Q. To avoid CO poisoning, follow these tips:
Installation:
Proper installation is critical to the safe operation of combustion appliances. All new appliances have installation instructions that should be followed exactly. Local building codes should be followed as well.
Appliances designed to be vented should be vented properly, according to manufacturers' instructions. All appliances that burn fuel should be installed by licensed professionals. Ask the technician if he or she is licensed to install your appliance, furnace, etc.
Maintenance:
A qualified service technician should perform preventive maintenance on homes with central and room heating appliances (including water heaters and gas dryers) annually. The technician should look at the electrical and mechanical components of appliances, such as thermostat controls and automatic safety devices. Also, have the technician check burners to ensure they are working properly.
Chimneys and flues should be kept free of blockages, corrosion, and loose connections.
Appliance Use:
Follow manufacturers' directions for safe operation. Make sure the room where an unvented gas or kerosene space heater is used is well ventilated; doors leading to another room should be open to allow added ventilation. Never use an unvented combustion heater overnight or in a room where you are sleeping. Never use charcoal grills inside a home, tent, camper, or unventilated garage. Don't leave vehicles running in an enclosed garage, even to "warm up" a car on a cold morning.
Inspections:
In addition to professional preventive maintenance on a potentially CO-producing appliance, timely inspections should be performed by the homeowner to identify signs of possible CO problems. Look for the following conditions, and if detected, have a professional service technician fully examine the unit for safe and continued use:
rusting or water streaking on vent/chimney; loose or missing furnace panel; sooting on internal or attic spaces; loose or disconnected vent/chimney connections; debris or soot falling from chimney, fireplace, or appliance; loose masonry on chimney.
In addition, there are signs that might indicate improper appliance operation which include:
- Decreased hot water supply;
- Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly;
- Sooting, especially on appliances;
- Unfamiliar or burning odor; increased condensation inside windows.
Q. How do CO alarms work?
A. A CO detector sounds an alarm because it detects an elevated level of CO in the household. Different brands of detectors are designed with different options and features. Some are made to sound an alarm at persistent, low levels of CO while others will sound an alarm only at life-threatening levels. Some detectors are more sensitive than others and will detect an alarm sooner than other varieties of alarms. The best detectors on the market today are digital and provide digital read outs.
CO gas distributes evenly and fairly quickly throughout the house; therefore, a CO detector should be installed in sleeping portions of the house, but outside individual bedrooms, in order to alert all occupants who are sleeping in that part of the house. We also recommend that a detector is fitted in the general living area of the house, the area in which you spend most time.
Q. What should I do if my CO detector alarm sounds?
If your alarm sounds, immediately leave the home, even if you are not feeling symptoms of CO poisoning (headache, dizziness, or other flu-like symptoms). Immediately call first responders, and tell them your CO detector has sounded the alarm. When they arrive, ask them to measure the CO levels in your home. Your first responder should place you and your family on 100% oxygen to counter the effects of CO poisoning.
If you are transported to the hospital, request a COHb blood test. This measures the levels of carbon monoxide in your blood. Tell your doctor how long you were on oxygen before you arrived at the hospital, so he or she will know how to interpret the COHb levels in your blood.
To Learn More About Carbon Monoxide go to http://www.carbonmonoxidelawhelp.com/
Auto Accident FAQ
Q: Should I seek the assistance of a lawyer if I am involved in an auto accident?
A: Absolutely. If you have questions about your rights or need advice, a lawyer can answer your questions and give you advice. For instance, it is best to consult with a lawyer if an insurance company attempts to offer you money in exchange for the signing of a release.
If you have a significant injury, are out of work for a significant period of time, or are having a difficult time dealing with an insurance company, it is wise to retain an experienced lawyer to represent you. The sooner you retain a lawyer the better so they can investigate your case, gather all necessary evidence and protect your rights.
Q: Do I need any money to retain a lawyer?
A: No. A lawyer from the Overchuck & Byron, P.A. law firm will represent you on a contingency fee basis whereby the law firm only gets paid if it obtains a settlement for you. The client is not responsible for costs if there is no recovery.
Q: Can I get money for my injuries?
A: Yes. If you are injured in an accident caused by someone else and you have suffered some type of significant injury, you could receive compensation for your injuries. Under these circumstances, it is wise to retain an experienced lawyer to represent you in presenting a claim for compensation for your injuries. The amount of money that you can receive is based on the facts of the accident and the severity of your injuries and damages. For more information concerning the qualifications and experience of our attorneys please visit OverchuckByron.com.
Q: If I am contacted by the insurance company for the person driving the car that hit me, should I consent to an interview?
A: No. While you are required to cooperate with your own insurance company, you are not required to talk to a representative of the company that insures the person who injured you. You should seek the advice of an experienced lawyer before talking with the insurance company. Never sign a document given to you by the insurance company without having your lawyer first review the document.
Q: If I go to the hospital and/or see a doctor for medical treatment, how will my medical bills get paid?
A: Under the Florida no-fault statute, your auto insurance company pays for medical bills when you are in an auto accident up to your coverage amount. This is the meaning of “no-fault” insurance. Your insurance company pays the medical bills regardless of who is at fault for the accident provided you have personal injury protection coverage, more commonly known as PIP. Should your injuries be so severe that you exhaust your PIP coverage, your health insurance can be used as secondary insurance to pay what your no-fault insurance does not cover.
Q: Will my insurance company raise my rates if they pay my medical bills?
A: Most likely no. Your insurance company can raise your rates for any reason other than discriminatory reasons based on your race, religion, or national origin. However, insurance companies rarely raise their rates because they have paid an insured’s medical bills. Insurance companies most likely will raise an insured’s rates if they are at fault in an automobile accident or have history of causing automobile accidents.
Q: What about my deductible or co-payments?
A: If you have a deductible on your no-fault insurance or if your no-fault insurance only covers 80% of your medical bills, you can make a claim to the insurance company of the person that caused the accident for payment of the balance of your medical bills.
If you are at fault in the accident or if the person who caused the accident does not have any insurance, your health insurance can be used as secondary insurance to pay what your no-fault insurance does not cover.
Q: How do I get money for lost wages, mileage and/or prescription reimbursement?
A: Your no-fault insurance can reimburse you for up to 60% of your lost wages depending on the coverage you chose and reimburse you for your prescription expenses, mileage expenses and other expenses such as domestic services as long as they are prescribed by a physician. There are certain forms that need to be completed and submitted to your insurance company to facilitate payment.
Q: What does a “letter of protection” mean?
A: A letter of protection is a letter from your attorney to your doctor promising to pay the doctor the balance owed out of the money from your future settlement. If our lawyer issues a letter of protection to the doctor, you will not need to pay the doctor each time you visit the office as the doctor will be paid his balance in full at the time of settlement. A letter of protection protects the doctor by promising to pay the balance while making it convenient for the patient by arranging payment through the patient’s attorney. Regardless of whether a settlement occurs, the patient is ultimately responsible for the medical bills.