Police in Texas believe that a 15-year-old girl who died after she was found unresponsive in her mother’s car may have succumbed to carbon monoxide exposure, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 after the girl’s mother got off work. Police said the teen met her mom outside and the two stayed outside to talk and fell asleep in the vehicle while it was still running. Authorities told reporters that falling asleep in the car was “normal” for the family because they were recently unhoused and the “car is familiar to them.”
The mother discovered her 15-year-old when she later got up to wake her other daughter inside the home and came back to the car to find the girl unresponsive. The mother then started driving to the hospital and met first responders on the way. Tragically, the girl died at the hospital.
The teenager’s name has not been released as of Monday, Aug. 11.
Leesfield & Partners
Leesfield & Partners has a long history of representing victims of carbon monoxide poisoning with the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, playing a key role in the passing or protective laws involving the toxic gas. Senate Bill 1822 requires certain public lodging establishments to have a carbon monoxide detector installed in buildings that were constructed after a certain date. These detectors must be installed within 10 feet of each sleeping room.
This made Florida among the first in the United States to pass such a law. While there had been laws requiring private residences in some states to come equipped with these detectors, SB 1822 was among the first to address this issue within public accommodations. Thanks to the involvement of Leesfield & Partners and other advocacy groups, the issue of carbon monoxide and its lethal effects was highlighted, making it a primary concern for lawmakers who passed this legislation to protect the public.
The firm has remained committed to raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and, in 2024, Mr. Leesfield and Trial Lawyer Evan Robinson co-authored an article discussing ways people can keep their families safe from carbon monoxide exposure.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning isn’t just a subtle threat; it’s the second most common cause of non-medicinal poisoning death,” they said.
Because carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, it can be incredibly difficult to detect before it builds up in an enclosed space. When someone breathes it in, it can quickly bind to the hemoglobin in their blood and inhibit the body’s ability to carry oxygen. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness and confusion before a person loses consciousness. If this person does not seek immediate medical attention, carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal.
It is estimated that approximately 400 people in the United States die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning every year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. Over 100,000 people visit the emergency room annually for carbon monoxide exposure and more than 14,000 people are hospitalized every year.
“Every casualty from carbon monoxide poisoning has been unnecessary,” Mr. Leesfield said previously. “We have successfully represented numerous victims of carbon monoxide poisoning for 48 years and fought hard for the passage of Senate Bill 1822.”
Previous Cases
The firm obtained an
over $11 million recovery for a woman exposed to carbon monoxide while at a resort.
While representing an Iowa family exposed to carbon monoxide while staying at a Key west hotel, Leesfield & Partners attorneys obtained a $1.4 million settlement for the family. Luckily, in that case, the family was able to call for emergency services before passing out from breathing in the poisonous gas.
A student who was visiting a college campus and staying at an accommodation owned by the university had to be hospitalized after being exposed to carbon monoxide as the student slept. In an investigation, attorneys found that there was over 200 ppm inside the house. The maximum carbon monoxide level that is considered “safe” while indoors is 9 ppm over eight hours, according to gas measurement specialists. The cause of the leak in that case was found to be an exhaust pipe in from the house’s furnace.
A confidential settlement was reached in that case.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
- Install a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home.
- Appliances such as dryers, water heaters, and gas stoves should be inspected by a professional annually.
- Some of the things to check for include ensuring the appliances are properly vented and are free from rust or corrosion.
- In South Florida, where hurricanes have been known to leave entire blocks without power for weeks on end, homeowners should make sure not to use their portable generators in enclosed spaces like a garage. All portable generators should be used in well-ventilated areas and be kept away from doors, windows and vents.
- Keep air ducts and ventilators clean and unobstructed to maintain proper ventilation.