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Legionnaires’ Lawsuits Filed After Illinois VA Home Outbreak

Legionnaires’ Lawsuits Filed After Illinois VA Home Outbreak

January 23, 2018 — Lawsuits have been filed by the families of 11 veterans who died of Legionnaires’ disease during an outbreak at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois.

The outbreak occurred in July 2015 and infected at least 61 other residents and visitors to the long-term care facility for veterans. One of the visitors died of Legionnaires’ disease, for a total of 12 deaths.

The state of Illinois spent $6.4 million in water-treatment investments for the VA facility, but there were more outbreaks in 2016 and 2017.

At least 6 residents of the Illinois Veterans Home were sickened by Legionnaires’ disease in 2017, including 1 who died. The person who died was a Korean War veteran. The coroner blamed a Legionella infection as a contributing factor in his death.

In December 2017, a sample of water from the Illinois Veterans Home tested positive for Legionella bacteria — yet again.

The lawsuit over the 2015 outbreak accuses the state of Illinois of negligence. The families were upset because public health officials waited at least a week before warning residents about the outbreak.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of bacterial pneumonia (lung infection) that occurs when people breathe Legionella bacteria into their lungs on tiny droplets of water in the air — often from showers, hot tubs, fountains, spas, or older buildings with complex air-conditioning.

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 infected with Legionella, 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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