Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in hospitals, hotels, cruise ships, and other places have resulted in multi-million dollar jury awards and settlements in recent years.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Legionnaires’ disease induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Disease Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Examples of Recent Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks
- American Cruise Lines – 3 cases in April-December 2021
- New Jersey (Union County) – 14 cases, 1 death in February 2021
- Rosemont Court Senior Living Apartments in Portland, Oregon – 1 death, 4 cases in January 2021
- NC Mountain State Fair – 4 deaths, 134 cases in September 2019
- Atlanta Sheraton Hotel – 1 death, 63 probable cases, 12 lab-confirmed cases in June and July 2019
- Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital in Ohio – 16 people infected, 1 death
- Crookston Inn and Convention Center in Minnesota – 4 people infected by February 2019
- Washington Heights Neighborhood in New York – 14 people infected by October 2018
- Disneyland and Anaheim, California – 12 people infected, 1 death in September 2017
- Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas – 2 people infected in March and April 2017
- Lenox Hill neighborhood in New York City – 7 people infected, 1 death in June 2017
- Ford plant in Claycomo, Missouri – 1 person infected in December 2017
Overview
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection with Legionella, a bacteria that is naturally found in fresh water. The infections spread when people breathe droplets of air that contain the bacteria.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease
Outbreaks are usually associated with man-made places that have complex water systems, cooling systems, fountains, hot tubs, showers and faucets. Some of the most common sources of Legionnaires’ outbreaks include:
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Long-term care facilities
- Cruise ships
- Spas and hot tubs
$1.1 Million Awarded in Legionnaires’ Disease Lawsuit
In May 2017, $1.1 million was awarded to 5 people who were infected in a Legionnaires’ outbreak at South Whitehall Medical Center in Pennsylvania in 2013. The jury decided the hospital failed to disinfect a fountain that tested positive for Legionella.
$100 Million Legionnaires’ Class Action in Flint, Michigan
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Flint, Michigan in 2014 that killed at least 12 people has sparked a $100 million class action lawsuit. At least 87 people were infected with Legionnaires’ after the city switched its water supply to the Flint River.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) that is caused by the bacteria Legionella. It spreads in the air when people breathe in tiny droplets of mist that contain Legionella. Infections can also cause Pontiac fever, a less-serious illness that causes similar symptoms as a mild case of the flu.
Warning Signs & Symptoms
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Fever
- Flu-like illness
How Do You Get Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease does not spread from person-to-person. Instead, it usually spread in buildings with cooling towers or air conditioning systems that are contaminated with Legionella.
Healthy people rarely get Legionnaires’ disease, even if they breathe in the bacteria. Most cases occur in people who are over 60 years old, or people in hospitals who are too sick to fight off the infection.
Risk-Factors for Legionnaires’ Disease
- Over 50 years old
- Smoking cigarettes
- Chronic lung disease
- Emphysema
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Weak immune system
- Having diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure
- Medications that decrease activity of the immune system
Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease may be diagnosed as pneumonia or the flu at first, and then later correctly diagnosed when doctors find Legionella bacteria growing in a sample of sputum (phlegm). Patients may also need chest X-rays, blood tests, or urine samples.
Treatment of Legionnaires’ Disease
Antibiotics (medications that kill bacteria) are the best treatment for Legionnaires’ disease. Hospitalization is usually necessary because the infection can be very serious and quickly become life-threatening. Most people recover, but Legionnaires’ is deadly in 10% of people.
Do I have a Legionnaires Disease Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Legionnaires’ disease induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Disease Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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