Smoke Inhalation
Smoke inhalation injuries happen when an individual breathes too many toxic chemicals and fumes from a fire. These injuries can result in very serious conditions as smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fires. To discuss your case please contact our team of fire accident lawyers handling smoke inhalation claims across the country. All case consultations are free of charge and no fees are due if we do not recover on your behalf. Please click here to email our smoke inhalation injury lawyers or visit @burnaccidentattorneys to begin your free and in depth case analysis.
Injuries Caused By Smoke Inhalation
Statistically smoke exposure is the leading cause of death from fires, even before burns. Smoke inhalation may result in injury by several different mechanisms of the body, including:
- Upper airway injuries;
- Irritation of the airways;
- Chemical injury to airways, typically due to soot;
- Asphyxiation; and
- Carbon monoxide toxicity and toxicity from other gasses, such as cyanide.
The severity of the smoke ingestion injury will depend upon an number of factors, including:
- The type of fire involved;
- The length of exposure to the fumes and smoke;
- Whether or not the individual was in an enclosed space; and
- Other factors.
It is important to note that smoke inhalation injuries may occur in a relatively short period of time.
Smoke injuries are what happens when you breathe in the products of combustion during a fire. Combustion results from the rapid breakdown of a substance by heat (more commonly called burning). Smoke is a mixture of heated particles and gases. It is impossible to predict the exact composition of smoke produced by a fire. The products being burned, the temperature of the fire, and the amount of oxygen available to the fire all make a difference in the type of smoke produced.
Smoke Inhalation Causes
Smoke inhalation damages the body by simple asphyxiation (lack of oxygen), chemical or thermal irritation, chemical asphyxiation, or a combination of these.
Liability In Smoke Inhalation Injury Claims
A smoke exposure injury may lead to seeking recourse by filing an injury lawsuit. A common cause of smoke inhalation injuries is negligence on the part of utility companies, your landlord, leasing company, contractor or electrician.
For example, if an individual negligently starts a fire, they may be liable for smoke inhalation injuries which result from the fire. A product manufacturer may also be held liable for smoke inhalation injuries which are connected to product defects.
Common product defects related to smoke inhalation injuries include:
- Automobile-related fires;
- Cooking or grilling implements;
- Volatile chemical substances; and
- Other similar types of products.
Smoke inhalation injuries are also frequently connected with occupational injuries and work injuries.
Contact Our Fire And Smoke Exposure Attorneys
If you have suffered any sort of injury caused by a fire, gas explosion, chemical or smoke exposure you need the help of our nationwide team of fire accident lawyers. Please feel free to reach out to them for a complimentary case analysis. Our legal team will thoroughly review the details and events leading to your fire accident and identify all liable parties. From there they will conduct an in depth investigation and make all liable parties accountable for your financial losses, injuries, lost wages, property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/lung/smoke_inhalation_treatment_firstaid.htm