Most people never give a second thought to the water or amenities they use in a public building or property. The public trusts hotels, apartment complexes, cruise ships, and other institutions to provide a hospitable, clean, and safe environment for occupants. Those who own and operate these facilities have a responsibility to regulate and manage the systems within the establishments. Unfortunately, many guests have fallen ill with Legionnaires’ disease due to the poorly maintained infrastructure of buildings and other spaces. Legionnaires’ disease lawsuits accuse building owners and maintenance contractors of exposing innocent individuals to dangerous bacteria that cause hazardous and potentially life-threatening injuries. Reach out today to learn more about how a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit can help you.
Our law firm is currently handling claims on behalf of those who have contracted Legionnaires’ Disease from contaminated water and cooling systems. Lawsuits against various institutions and businesses allege that the lack of adequate maintenance of their heating, plumbing, and cooling systems has led to outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, that can cause serious and prolonged illness. Described as one of the deadliest waterborne diseases, Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Legionella bacteria grow outdoors in warm water or soil, but these deadly bacteria increase in human-made water systems. Oftentimes, Legionella bacteria spread in:
When an individual inhales mist or vapor contained with the bacteria, they may contract Legionnaires’ disease. Symptoms usually occur two to fourteen days after exposure and include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. If left untreated, Legionnares’ disease can result in long-term health complications and even prove fatal.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease have occurred across the country in different environments. According to the CDC, the rate of reported cases has increased by nearly nine times since 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported nearly 10,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in 2018 alone. This was roughly a 33% percent increase from the 7,458 cases in 2017. Legionnaires’ disease is not limited to specific states, but rather is on the rise nationwide. For instance, North Carolina State Health officials concluded that there were 136 cases of Legionnaires’ disease that killed four people at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Additionally, an outbreak at a Washington county apartment complex that infected six people has been linked to contaminated hot tubs.
Researchers have not identified the exact cause of the increase in Legionnaires’ disease, but many have pointed to inadequate building management and design as a factor. The State of Michigan reported a significant rise in Legionnaires’ disease during the summer of 2021, which experts attributed to bacterial growth in the water of building pipes that were stagnant during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Legionnaires’ disease can range in severity from mild pneumonia to serious, life-threatening illness. Anyone can get sick from the disease, but older or immunocompromised populations are at an increased risk of developing complications. The disease can lead to serious conditions including:
Over the last few decades, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, cruise ships, and condominiums have all witnessed outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease. An isolated outbreak can lead to serious infection for dozens or even hundreds of people exposed to the bacteria. Individuals and companies responsible for the development, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and maintenance of the systems that are the sources of the outbreak may be held liable for injuries. Lawsuits may compensate the survivors of deceased victims or reimburse those who have contracted the disease.
There have been multiple favorable settlements and verdicts for plaintiffs in Legionnaires’ disease lawsuits. For example, in 2011, a jury awarded $4.5 million to two men who contracted Legionnaires’ disease from an inn’s hot tub. Recently, the family of an 87-year-old man who died from Legionnaires’ disease received a $3 million settlement. The family alleged that he developed the disease after using a contaminated hot tub at a California hotel.
If you or a loved one contracted Legionnaires’ disease, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Sadly, one in ten people who get sick from Legionnaires’ disease will die. Lawsuits allege that inadequate maintenance practices have jeopardized and ended the lives of numerous individuals. By failing to take preventative measures, owners have fostered the growth of the Legionella bacteria on their property and betrayed the trust of visitors. Our attorneys can assist you in filing a lawsuit against the reckless party that exposed you to Legionella bacteria.
To bring a claim against a company that may be liable for a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, a plaintiff should show that:
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.