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Portable Generator Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Portable generators run on gasoline, producing exhaust filled with carbon monoxide. This invisible, odorless, and deadly gas can accumulate within minutes in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces.

Signs of CO poisoning include:

• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion, weakness, or blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Death

Because CO cannot be seen or smelled, victims often have no warning until it’s too late.

Excessive Carbon Monoxide Emissions

A portable generator can emit hundreds of times more CO than a car’s exhaust, making it one of the most hazardous consumer products sold today.

Lack of Effective Warnings

Many manufacturers fail to provide clear, prominent warnings about CO risks. Instructions are often buried in manuals or displayed in small print, leaving consumers unaware of the real danger.

While product design and labeling should be safer, consumers can take precautions:

• Never use a generator indoors — including garages, basements, crawlspaces, or sheds.
• Place generators at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents, with the exhaust facing away from the home.
• Install battery-operated CO detectors inside your home, especially near sleeping areas.
• Do not use generators under covered porches or carports, even if they’re “outside.”
• Follow weather alerts and seek safe shelter if outages last for days.

Remember: These safety tips reduce—but do not eliminate—the danger. Generators remain inherently risky, and safer designs are possible.

• Hurricane Beryl (Texas, 2024): At least 2 deaths and nearly 400 hospitalizations from generator-related CO poisoning during widespread power outages.
• Buffalo Blizzard (New York, 2022): Several storm-related deaths were tied to generators running in enclosed spaces during the multi-day blackout.
• Houston Derecho (2024): At least one confirmed generator-related CO death; many others hospitalized.
• National Statistics (CPSC, 2012–2022): 872 CO deaths from engine-driven tools; 749 (86%) were caused by portable generators.
• Average Annual Toll: Portable generators are responsible for about 100 U.S. deaths every year, plus thousands of emergency room visits.

Various news outlets, including NPR have covered the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators.

If you or a family member has suffered due to a generator CO injury or death, you may have a valid legal claim. Possible claims include:

• Product liability lawsuits for unsafe design or defective warnings
• Wrongful death claims for families who have lost loved ones
• Compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

At Schiffman Firm, LLC, our attorneys have the knowledge and dedication to investigate these cases and fight for the justice you deserve. If you or a loved were injured from by carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a portal generator, contact us for a free evaluation of your case.

Who can be held liable if a portable generator caused injury or death?
Both the manufacturer and the store or retailer that sold the generator may be liable. Manufacturers are responsible for designing safe products and providing adequate warnings. Retailers can also be held accountable for selling defective or unreasonably dangerous products.

Can I sue if my loved one died from generator-related carbon monoxide poisoning?
Yes. Families can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship.

What types of compensation are available?
Victims and families may recover for medical bills, lost wages, permanent disability, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in some cases, punitive damages if the company’s conduct was reckless.

Do I need to prove I used the generator correctly?
Not necessarily. Even when consumers follow instructions, portable generators can still be unsafe. If warnings were inadequate or the product was defectively designed, you may still have a valid claim.

How long do I have to file a claim?
Time limits (statutes of limitations) vary by state, but it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.