Colorado Police Officer Injured in Crash Possibly Caused by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Robert Chamberlain, a police officer in Lone Tree, Colo., says the seizure he suffered while behind the wheel of his Ford Explorer police cruiser was because of carbon monoxide poisoning due to exhaust leaks. According to a CBS4 news report, the incident occurred Nov. 30, 2017. He says he looked to the left to turn out on a local roadway and that’s all he remembers. Chamberlain had suffered a severe seizure causing him to crash.

Officer Loses Dream Job and Career

When his wife, Shanna, arrived at the ER, she says her husband looked like he had passed away. He was actually still alive, but had five fractured vertebrae, a bruised heart and bleeding in his brain. Chamberlain spent nearly one week in the intensive care unit. He said he has no previous health conditions and had never suffered a seizure. However, on Nov. 29, the day before the crash, Chamberlain said, he and his partner had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. They were in a Ford Explorer, which had a history of carbon monoxide issues.

When he was in the hospital, Chamberlain said, a doctor told him carbon monoxide poisoning could cause seizures like the one he suffered behind the wheel. Chamberlain is still recovering, but says he suffers excruciating pain and feels like he is getting stabbed in the back by knives. The department hasn’t been helpful either. He has been denied workers’ compensation benefits and was forced to resign from his job. The police chief told CBS that Chamberlain had exhausted all of his leave time and it was not feasible for the department to hold his position vacant. Chamberlain has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against his department.

Ford Should Also Be Held Liable

Our law firm is representing police officers and civilians who have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of exhaust leaks from Ford Explorer SUVs. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in the process of investigating these vehicles, no recall has been issued yet. Ford is making repairs based on consumer complaints and on a case-by-case basis, which still puts more than a million of these defective vehicles on our roadways.

If you have suffered injuries or have become sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning from these Ford Explorer vehicles, while you may be able to recover workers’ compensation benefits, you may also be able to file an auto defect lawsuit against Ford seeking damages. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to advise you regarding your legal rights and options.