Smoke inhalation is a serous, life-threatening
situation that can result from being in
a fire for just a few minutes. When a
person breathes in extremely hot air and
the gases, vapors, and particulate matter
present in smoke, physical damage can
include burning or swelling of the air
passages and the lungs.
- Smoke inhalation symptoms may not
appear for 24-48 hours after the fire.
That can mean a delay in seeking medical
help and starting treatment.
- The worse the victim is burned, the
worse the smoke inhalation symptoms
are likely to be.
- Those most vulnerable to smoke inhalation
are young children (under 11) and elderly
people (over 70).
In residential fires and in fuel-fed
car fires, the carbon monoxide poisoning
from smoke inhalation can be deadly. While
skin burns are more obvious and more likely
to receive treatment, oxygen therapy is
needed for the smoke inhalation injury.
Smoke inhalation damage can occur any
time there is prolonged exposure to smoke-as
little as a few minutes. If you have suffered
from smoke inhalation, talk to a burn
injury lawyer about the circumstances.
You have the right to compensation from
the person or entity responsible for the
fire.
Recovery from burn injuries and smoke
inhalation can take years. Even then,
the smoke inhalation victim may have chronic
pulmonary problems for a lifetime. At
the Keller & Keller law firm, our
attorneys understand the long-term consequences
of smoke inhalation and burn injuries.
Contact Keller & Keller for a free
consultation with a personal injury attorney
experienced in smoke inhalation injury
litigation.
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