Chlorine and Ammonia Gas Poisoning Lawyer

If You Suffered Chlorine or Ammonia Poisoning, You Deserve Justice

We often don’t think about how severe chlorine and ammonia can be. Used primarily in swimming pools and cleaning products, if you are exposed to chlorine and ammonia in small doses, you may not experience much more than an irritation to your skin or eyes. But when you are exposed to dangerously high levels of chlorine gas, you could experience lifelong complications or even death.

Victims of chlorine gas poisoning may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries if the exposure was caused by a negligent property owner.  If you suffered chlorine gas poisoning, call an experienced chlorine gas poisoning lawyer at Munley Law today to schedule a FREE consultation regarding your legal options. You may also complete our easy-to-use contact form or use our online chat to immediately speak with a premises liability lawyer.

What is Chlorine Gas?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen widely used in fertilizers and pharmaceuticals. It helps prevent bacteria growth in water and is commonly used for sanitation. Chlorine can be used in household cleaning products and can be found in drinking water, swimming pools, and industrial sewage plants.

What is Ammonia Gas?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlorine is a yellowish-green noncombustible gas with a very strong and irritating odor. It’s a toxic gas or liquid that is corrosive to human tissue upon contact. It’s also commonly used in liquid mixed with water, such as household ammonia.

How Does Chlorine Gas Poisoning Occur?

Because there are many products and uses for chlorine, there are multiple ways that victims are poisoned by chlorine gas. According to the CDC, chlorine gas poisoning commonly occurs due to:

• The release of chlorine gas into the air. In such an instance, chlorine exposure to victims’ eyes, skin, or lungs causes the poisoning.
• Liquid chlorine in the water poisons victims who drink or touch it.
• The consumption of chlorine-contaminated food by unknowing victims.

Chlorine is not flammable but can become unstable and explosive when mixed with other chemical compounds. Serious injury may occur in an industrial setting such as a chlorine plant fire or explosion, or at a hotel, spa, or health club with an indoor pool.

Chlorine helps prevent bacteria growth in water and for sanitation, but can be deadly when inhaled or ingested.  Extremely high levels of chlorine in swimming pools can release gas off the surface, and cause chlorine poisoning, or severe burns to the skin. This usually occurs in an indoor pool, or in places like health clubs and gyms that have a swimming pool or hot tub. If you or a loved one have been exposed to extremely high chlorine levels resulting in chlorine gas poisoning,  contact the attorneys at Munley Law today for a FREE evaluation of your chlorine poisoning case.

What Are the Symptoms of Chlorine and Ammonia Gas Exposure?

Chlorine and ammonia gas poisoning can cause painful symptoms throughout the body. Respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing and fluid in the lungs. Digestive system symptoms include burning in the mouth, swelling of the throat, throat pain, stomach pain, vomiting, and blood in the stool. Chlorine exposure may also damage the circulatory system or cause low blood pressure. Additionally, chlorine can cause serious eye damage, including burning and irritation. In the worst cases, victims of chlorine poisoning may experience temporary vision loss. Excessive chlorine exposure can also damage your skin, potentially resulting in tissue damage, burns, and irritation.

Some common symptoms of chlorine gas poisoning include:

• Coughing
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Skin Irritation
• Eye irritation
• Loss of vision
• Difficulty breathing
• Lung tissue damage
• Coughing up white to pink-tinged fluid

Chlorine gas exposure may result in a condition called reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), which is described as a sudden onset of asthma-like symptoms.

Additionally, chlorine exposure produces serious long-term health effects. Because chlorine vapor can also become deadly, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Death can occur in a matter of minutes.

Lung damage and death may occur after exposure to high concentrations of ammonia.

What Should You Do If You Are Exposed to Chlorine Gas?

In addition to calling 911 right away, the CDC recommends that chlorine-exposure victims take the following steps:

• To reduce the amount of exposure, leave the chlorine-exposed area right away. Get to fresh air as soon as possible. If it is an indoor chlorine release, get out of the building.
• Because chlorine is heavier than air and will sink to low-lying areas, go to the highest ground possible.
• Remove your clothing and any items covered in chlorine. If possible, seal these items in a plastic bag. If necessary, cut off clothing to avoid touching the chlorine.
• Rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water.
• If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them before rinsing your eyes, and place them in the bags with the contaminated clothing. Do not put the contacts back in your eyes. You should dispose of them even if you do not wear disposable contacts. If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water.
• If you swallow or ingest chlorine, do not induce vomiting or drink fluids.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Once you have received medical attention and are in a safe place, your next step is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you with a lawsuit. For more than 60 years, Munley Law has been helping toxic exposure victims throughout Pennsylvania. We understand the hardship you and your family are going through and will do what we can to make sure you get justice. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

What Compensation is Available for a Chlorine Gas Exposure Victim?

You may be legally entitled to damages for your chlorine exposure injury, depending on who is responsible for the exposure and how the accident occurred. For example, let’s say you’re visiting an amusement park. As you’re enjoying the wave pool, a water jet that sprays water instead sprays chlorine gas. You immediately experience coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation. After being taken to the hospital, you notice chemical burns throughout your body.

In a situation such as the one above, the accident victim could be entitled to the following compensation:

• Economic damages: Any expenses you had to pay as a result of the injuries you sustained are considered economic damages. This includes, but is not limited to, medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning potential, rehabilitation costs, etc.
• Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages refers to damages that are the result of any pain or suffering you may have experienced because of the accident. Mental, physical, and emotional pain, along with loss of enjoyment of daily activities or loss of companionship.

In some rare situations, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish individuals or companies for their behavior in the accident.

Contact Our Chlorine Ammonia Gas Poisoning Lawyers Today

At Munley Law, we will make things right. If you were exposed to chlorine gas and are now suffering long-term health issues, now is the time to contact our chlorine gas poisoning lawyers. The first consultation is always free and we will not charge a fee until your case is settled. If we are unable to win your case, then you do not owe us anything. It’s that simple.

Contact the personal injury attorneys at Munley Law today to schedule your free consultation. Habla Espanol.