We obtained a $2 million settlement on behalf of the surviving mother of a university student who was killed when the family’s pool heater generated excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, which entered the student’s bedroom via forced-air heating ducts. Although advertised as including “fail-safe” components that would prevent the generation of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, the heater malfunctioned when installed, in a way contrary to the instructions.
The installer, who was uncertified, failed to vent the unit to the outside air. When the heater malfunctioned internally, burning a too-rich mixture of fuel and air, the improperly vented system recirculated CO-filled air that had already become contaminated, further elevating the CO levels to ultimately fatal limits.
