Carbon monoxide poisoning claim after engineer leaves off boiler cap
Charlotte Thorpe recently settled a claim against Premier Heating UK Ltd on behalf of a claimant who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning over six months after a gas engineer failed to properly secure her boiler following a routine check.
The Premier Heating engineer performing the annual check at the client's property failed to replace the cap on the boiler flue that carries the combustion gases out and instead left it inside the boiler. As a result, carbon monoxide blew from the boiler into our client's property. Despite the engineer taking a picture showing the discarded cap, this was not noted or checked by any employees and no further action was taken to rectify the error.
By chance, our client's partner noticed emissions coming from the flue and black soot, corrosion and residue around the top of the boiler. This led to an emergency gas engineer discovering carbon monoxide emissions who then issued an Important Gas Safety Warning Notice and disconnected the boiler the same day.
Exposure to carbon monoxide is dangerous and can be fatal. When inhaled, carbon monoxide enters the blood through the lungs and attaches to the body’s oxygen carrier, haemoglobin. This reduces the amount of oxygen carried round the body. Even low levels of exposure can cause symptoms such as a headaches, nausea and dizziness. Exposure to higher amounts can cause fatigue, confusion, loss of consciousness and death.
Our client inhaled carbon monoxide over six months as she worked from home in the same room as the boiler. Throughout this time, she suffered from distressing symptoms including irritability, headaches, brain fog, confusion, and suicidal thoughts. She could not care for her family properly due to frequently feeling exhausted and disoriented. This was particularly distressing for her as she did not know what was causing her symptoms for six months. She suffered from anxiety and depression as a result.
Charlotte obtained expert reports evidencing the physical and psychological symptoms our client suffered as a result of the defendant's negligence. The defendant subsequently admitted liability.
Court proceedings had to be issued and served against Premier Heating UK Limited, and Charlotte was ultimately able to negotiate a five-figure settlement for her client, which will help her move on with her life and progress her recovery.
Following settlement, the client said:
'Charlotte has always been very informative and understanding. Even on days she wasn't working, she still got back to me when I phoned.
'Charlotte fought my corner and got me what I felt I deserved. I'm extremely happy that I had Charlotte as my solicitor and I couldn't recommend her highly enough.'
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