Smoke inhalation can be deadly for Texas accident victims

When many people think of fires, they worry about burn injuries. However, half to four-fifths of all fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation – not burns. Smoke inhalation can be very dangerous for Texas accident victims, not just because it can starve a victim’s body of oxygen, but also because smoke can contain toxic chemicals.

Fact: Smoke inhalation kills around 5,000 to 10,000 every year, and another 23,000 people are injured (including around 5,000 firefighters.)

How does smoke inhalation damage your body?

There are three main ways that smoke inhalation can damage your body or lead to death:

• Asphyxiation: the fire may use up all the air you need to breathe, leaving you with nothing. Without oxygen in the air, you can die. In addition, some products in smoke – like carbon dioxide – take up space needed for oxygen.
• Complex asphyxiation: like regular asphyxiation, complex asphyxiation happens when your body cannot get the oxygen it needs. In this case, smoke that contains carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide or hydrogen sulfide can be inhaled. These compounds bind to your blood, taking the place of oxygen in your body. However, since your body needs oxygen to live, you can die from breathing smoke that contains these compounds.
• Chemical irritants: depending on what is burning, the resulting smoke can contain all kinds of noxious and dangerous substances. Compounds like sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, ammonia and chlorine can skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract – leading to injury or death.

Smoke inhalation damage can happen anywhere

You can be injured or killed by breathing in toxic smoke after a car crash, tractor trailer wreck, house fire, workplace accident, or in a dangerous public or private building. You can also be subject to smoke inhalation if you are in an accident involving a dangerous or defective consumer product.

Justice for smoke inhalation and burn victims

Our skilled and determined Texas accident lawyers have dedicated their practice to helping accident and injury victims. If you or someone you love was hurt by smoke inhalation, please contact our office immediately for a free and confidential case review.

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C

1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800

Fax: 713.224.7801