New York and New Jersey Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Construction Accidents

Every year, 800 construction workers are killed on the job. Many of these deaths occur when the workers are exposed to harmful chemicals, especially carbon monoxide. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), carbon monoxide poisoning is leading cause of chemical inhalation deaths.

Carbon monoxide is an especially dangerous gas because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. At the same time, carbon monoxide poisoning is entirely preventable. For these reasons, various laws and regulations have been enacted that require employers to protect workers from carbon monoxide poisoning by providing a safe work environment and protective equipment.

The Ginarte law firm is one of the biggest firms in the NJ / NY metro area representing victims of carbon monoxide poisoning and other construction accidents. Experience matters when choosing a construction injury attorney. The Ginarte law firm’s attorneys have more than 150 years of combined experience. Our construction accident lawyers are ready to review your case and help you get the justice you deserve. We only collect fees if you win your case, so call today for a free consultation!

Call 1-888-GINARTE (1-888- 446-2783) today or complete our online contact form. 

Risks from Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas composed of one carbon atom bonded to one oxygen atom. It is slightly lighter than air and is highly is toxic to humans. Even small amounts can be harmful or deadly.

Carbon monoxide can be found almost anywhere, but construction sites are notoriously full of dangerous carbon monoxide sources. Line ruptures, gas leaks and portable gas-powered equipment are common sources of carbon monoxide. Compressors can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning by generating contaminants and hydrocarbons when in use. Even processes like iron smelting produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct. 

Carbon Monoxide Exposure Symptoms

Carbon monoxide poisoning at low levels can be confused with food poisoning, the flu or other illnesses.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Flushing
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Light-headedness
• Shortness of breath

Depending on the severity of exposure to carbon monoxide, a victim may make a full recovery, or may never fully recover. Chronic exposure to carbon monoxide may cause persistent symptoms including headache, dizziness, and ataxia (lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements). High levels of exposure can lead to death within minutes. 

Protective Measures for Carbon Monoxide

OSHA has established a number of workplace standards and regulations, including respiratory protection programs, to ensure employers protect their employees from exposure to carbon monoxide. In 2011, OSHA produced a series of videos detailing safety measures that should be taken to make construction work safer, including one that focuses on prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning. You can view the video here.

If an employer fails to provide protection against carbon monoxide poisoning, or if their protection efforts fail, a carbon monoxide victim may be able to hold their employer or the manufacturer (of the ineffective equipment) responsible for their suffering. 

New York Carbon Monoxide Accident Lawsuits

The New York’s labor laws protect employees that are injured in New York construction accidents, including employees exposed to carbon monoxide. These laws require a safe jobsite and allow property owners, site developers, prime contractors, subcontractors, vendors and other parties to be held liable for carbon monoxide leaks that poison workers.

Our construction injury lawyers have used NY labor laws to win money for many construction workers who were injured on the job and are ready to review your case and help you get the justice you deserve. We only collect fees if you win your case, so call today for a free consultation! 

New Jersey Law and Carbon Monoxide Accidents

Compared to New York labors laws, those of New Jersey tend to offer less remedies for employees injured at work. However, there are other New Jersey laws, like the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (“CEPA”) that may provide an injured employee relief. An OSHA rule violation is often at the center of a construction injury (including carbon monoxide poisoning) case in New Jersey. The Ginarte law firm specializes in these types of cases, and often works with experts to ensure employees injured at work are afforded all the remedies that New Jersey law provides. 

Carbon Monoxide Construction Accident? Talk With Our Experienced Lawyers

Both New York and New Jersey have strict deadlines for when a lawsuit must be filed, so don’t wait another minutes to talk to the Ginarte firm about you or your loved one’s carbon monoxide accident.

Call 1-888-GINARTE (1-888- 446-2783) today for a free consultation, fill out our online contact form, or visit us at any of our seven offices in Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton or Perth Amboy.  And remember, firm will only collect fees if you win your case!