$10 Million Georgia Settlement in Carbon Monoxide Death from Defective Furnace Installation

The family of Catherine Harris, a LaGrange, Georgia woman who died of carbon monoxide poisoning, has reached a $10 million wrongful death settlement with the heating company that allegedly installed and serviced her furnace improperly. The settlement, reached June 5, 2026, resolves Harris, et al. v. Extreme Heating & Air, LLC, filed in the State Court of Troup County, Georgia. Harris's adult children, LaTonya Harris and Robert Harris Jr., brought claims for wrongful death, negligence, and gross negligence against the company, its owner Christopher Lentz, and technician Michael Smith. The family was represented by Matt Kahn of Butler Kahn, along with Caroline W. Herrington and Virgil L. Adams of Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C.

Case at a Glance

• Settlement: $10 million
• Case Type: Wrongful death (carbon monoxide poisoning)
• Court: State Court of Troup County, Georgia (Civil Action No. 25-CS-567)
• Settlement Date: June 5, 2026
• Plaintiffs: LaTonya Harris and Robert Harris Jr. (adult children of Catherine Harris)
• Defendants: Extreme Heating & Air, LLC; Christopher Lentz (owner); Michael Smith (technician)
• Plaintiff Attorneys: Matt Kahn (Butler Kahn); Caroline W. Herrington and Virgil L. Adams (Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C.)

What Happened to Catherine Harris?

According to the complaint, Extreme Heating & Air installed a new furnace at Catherine Harris's LaGrange home in June 2024. When the system malfunctioned in November 2024, a technician allegedly turned the gas supply back on without completing necessary safety steps, including venting system checks and gas leak inspections.

The plaintiffs alleged that the failure caused exhaust to discharge into the basement and throughout the home. Harris died two days later. Her death was attributed to acute carbon monoxide toxicity.

The lawsuit also alleged the company failed to complete the furnace's venting system conversion to liquid propane, leaving the home exposed to dangerous levels of the gas.

What Did the Plaintiffs Allege?

The complaint asserted that the defendants were responsible for the death through negligence and gross negligence, faulting both the original installation and the later service call. Central to the case was the claim that the technician restored the gas supply without checking for leaks or confirming the venting system was safe.

"Homeowners trust heating contractors with their safety," said Matt Kahn of Butler Kahn.

Caroline Herrington of Adams, Jordan & Herrington emphasized the hidden nature of the hazard. "Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and families often have no warning until it is too late," she said.

Why This Settlement Matters

Carbon monoxide deaths tied to heating equipment are often preventable, which is part of what makes cases like this one resonate. The legal team advocated for proper installation procedures, qualified professionals, exterior venting, and functioning carbon monoxide detectors as basic safeguards for any home with gas appliances.

For the plaintiff bar, the result shows how a contractor's documented departure from safety procedures, especially during a service call, can establish liability in a wrongful death claim. The $10 million figure reflects both the preventability of the death and the strength of the negligence theory in Georgia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you sue an HVAC contractor for a carbon monoxide death?

Yes. When a heating contractor's improper installation, inspection, or repair allows carbon monoxide to enter a home, the family of a person who dies can bring a wrongful death claim for negligence. In this case, the family settled for $10 million against the company, its owner, and a technician.

Q: What is the difference between a settlement and a verdict?

A settlement is an agreement to resolve a case before or during trial, while a verdict is a decision reached by a jury. This $10 million resolution was a settlement, meaning the parties agreed to it rather than having a jury decide the outcome.

Q: Why is carbon monoxide so dangerous in the home?

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so people often have no warning before they are affected. That is why exterior venting, proper installation by qualified professionals, and working carbon monoxide detectors are critical safeguards in any home with gas appliances.