Was Negligence the Cause of the Carbon Monoxide Leak at Stephens College?
On the very first day you dropped your child off at kindergarten, you put your trust in the institution to provide a safe learning environment. Although the schools changed over the years, your concern for your child’s safety never wavered. After a carbon monoxide leak at Stephens College, many parents of students are asking whether their children are truly safe.
The incident occurred in late January, when firefighters responded to a 911 call at Searcy Hall. The call was made by RA Sophia Freena. It began on a Tuesday in the last week of January, when Freena got a call from a resident who said a friend’s carbon monoxide detector had started going off.
The next day, she bought her own detector, and when it was installed, it immediately started beeping. What happened next is where the concern about negligence arises.
Freena called campus security. “They said they didn’t know what to do and would ask their supervisor,” she told the Columbia Missourian. “They called me back, said their supervisor didn’t know what to do, and said they’d call facilities for me.”
A Smart and Responsible Response
At that point, Freena decided not to take any further risk. She turned off her heating, packed up her cat, opened a window, and left the building, but not before calling 911.
The fire crews arrived in minutes and shortly thereafter ordered the evacuation of Searcy and Prunty halls.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration prohibits carbon monoxide exposure of more than 50 parts per million (ppm) in any given eight-hour period. The firefighters discovered carbon monoxide at 100 ppm in all living areas and 300 ppm in Searcy Hall’s basement.
127 students were placed in temporary housing, which, in some instances, was less than desirable.
“Two students were sent to a room in Columbia that has zero appliances, a non-working toilet, and hasn’t finished being cleaned after a serious roach infestation,” Freena said. “They gave me a key to a room that had someone living in it, but they did get me a second one.”
The leak was traced to failing boilers in the basement. They were quickly replaced with brand-new, energy-efficient models, but there is no telling how long the exposure lasted. Staff and residents are undergoing tests for signs of exposure. That same staff is also going through training to better understand situations involving carbon monoxide exposure.
While that’s reassuring, it leaves some parents wondering what other training the staff need to undergo to protect the students.
Cause for Concern
The Environmental Protection Agency found that prolonged carbon monoxide exposure can trigger headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or nausea. In extreme cases, it can also lead to fatalities. Although no one appears to be hurt in this incident, there is cause for concern.
It is a reminder to be proactive about carbon monoxide monitoring in your home and workplace. If you rent, then your landlord should provide certified detectors and keep them in good working order.
The same applies to your work environment, where it is your employer’s responsibility to create a safe environment. Failure to do so could trigger serious injuries or worse. It can also be a case for a premises liability claim.
Thomas Law Offices is a team of experienced Columbia premises liability attorneys. We have helped many clients hold property owners and institutions accountable for negligent actions that caused harm. If you’ve been injured on someone’s property, we want to hear from you. Call to schedule a free consultation today.
