Our lawyers are filing lawsuits for people who developed Legionnaires’ disease — a deadly form of pneumonia spread through contaminated airborne water — after staying in a hospital, hotel, or long-term healthcare facility.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.
Update: Legionnaires Outbreak Linked to Minnesota Hotel Spa
February 19, 2019 – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has narrowed down a cluster of at least 4 cases of Legionnaires disease to a hotel spa in northwestern Minnesota. Hotel management has temporarily closed the pool and spa pending results of the investigation.
What’s the problem?
Legionnaires’ disease is a devastating disease that can be fatal. Unfortunately, the majority of cases are caused by negligence. Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’, thrives in moist environments such as hot tubs, decorative fountains and building cooling towers.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a bacterium known as legionella. Most people get the disease from inhaling the bacteria. Older adults, smokers and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ Symptoms
Legionnaires’ typically develops from 2 to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. Initial signs and symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Fever that may be 104 F (40 C) or higher
By the second or third day, other symptoms may appear:
- Cough, which may bring up mucus and sometimes blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Confusion or other mental changes
1 Dead, 10 Sick in Legionnaires Outbreak at Wisconsin Hospital
December 20, 2018 – One person died and at least 10 others developed symptoms of Legionnaires disease at UW Health University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. The Director of Infection Control there says the outbreak is related to a reduction in water-flow at the facility during times of low usage.
Plumbing In Hospitals and Nursing Homes Can Spread Legionnaires’ Disease, CDC Finds
Nursing homes and hospitals need to do more to protect their patients from catching Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water systems in their buildings, according to a recent analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The researchers looked at over 2,800 cases of Legionnaires’ that occurred in 2015 and determined that 553 definitely or possibly occurred in a healthcare facility such as a nursing home or a hospital. At least 66 patients died from the disease, according to the analysis.
“We know if those facilities have an effective water-management system they can prevent these infections,” said Anne Schuchat, the CDC’s acting director. “Nobody wants their loved one to go into a hospital or a long-term care facility and end up with Legionnaires’ disease.”
The researchers determined that 6,079 Legionnaires’ cases occurred in the U.S. in 2015. They focused on 2,809 cases that occurred in 20 states and New York City. Among those, 468 were potentially linked to healthcare facilities and 85 definitely were.
Among the 85 cases that were definitely associated with health care facilities, 68 or 80%, were associated with long-term care facilities and 15, or 18%, were associated with hospitals.
Yale Study Finds Legionella Bacteria Increased Near Watersheds, Drainage Basins
January 25, 2018 – The number of new cases of Legionnaires’ disease has increased in recent years, and a new Yale University study indicates that people living near watersheds have the highest risk of developing the illness. Natural reservoirs were also found to have a greater affect on the development of sporadic legionellosis, a respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria, than previously estimated.
Illinois Veterans’ Home Sued After Deadly Legionnaires’ Outbreak
January 4, 2018 – The families of 11 U.S. veterans who died due to complications of Legionnaires disease at an Illinois nursing home have filed a lawsuit against the facility for negligence. Since July 2015, the disease has claimed the lives of 13 residents of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Ill., and sickened another 61, according to an investigation by the Chicago public radio station WBEZ.
Legionnaires’ Outbreak at Disneyland Forces Emergency Closure of 2 Cooling Towers
November 13, 2017 – Disneyland has temporarily closed down 2 water cooling towers at its park in Anaheim, California, after at least 9 visitors there developed symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease. The patients ranged in age from 52 to 94, lived or had visited Anaheim, and visited Disneyland in September. One patient, a 94-year-old woman who hadn’t visited the park, died since contracting the disease.
Legionnaires’ Outbreak Reported in New York Nursing Home
November 3, 2017 – Health officials have confirmed at least 2 cases of Legionnaires’ disease at the Sky View Rehabilitation and Health Care nursing home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. One of the patients, a 96-year-old woman, died as a result of her complications, according to ABC News.
Sixth Case of Legionnaires’ Disease Confirmed at Texas Hotel
October 13, 2017 – Texas health authorities have identified at least 6 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in guests who stayed at a hotel in Round Rock. The most recent case occurred in a guest at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, who reportedly became sick within the last 10 days and is currently in the hospital undergoing treatment for his symptoms.
Legionnaires’ Disease Found at Ohio Prison Hospital
July 6, 2017 – Two inmates at the Franklin Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to FOX 8. The cases caused the facility to cut off use of its tap water and install new faucets and filters.
New York City Legionnaires’ Outbreak Kills 1, Sickens 6
June 20, 2017 – At least one person is dead and another 6 have fallen seriously ill in an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Lenox Hill, an affluent neighborhood in New York City. As of Friday, 4 of the patients remained hospitalized, and 2 had recovered and been released. The deceased was over 90 and suffered from other health problems, according to New York City health officials.
Legionnaires’ Outbreaks Up 450%, CDC Study Finds
June 16, 2017 – A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that there are currently about 6,000 new diagnoses of Legionnaires’ each year in the U.S., and that rates of the disease are up a staggering 450% since 2002. The researchers cautioned that a portion of the observed increase is likely due to advanced diagnostic techniques and monitoring by hospitals.
Legionnaires’ Confirmed at Florida Retirement Home
June 15, 2017 – The Duval County Health Department has confirmed a case of Legionnaires’ disease at a senior living center in Florida. The case was reported at Watercrest Senior Living on San Jose Boulevard in Jacksonville, according to ClickOrlando.
Legionnaires’ Outbreak Reported in Florida LA Fitness Clubs
June 12, 2017 – Two LA Fitness health clubs in Florida are being investigated following reports of at least 4 customers developing Legionnaires’ disease after exercising at the gyms. Two of the cases are linked to the LA Fitness club in MetroWest at 4792 Kirkman Road, Florida, and the other 2 were reported at 12700 S. Orange Blossom Trail, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
2 Sickened with Legionnaires’ Disease at Las Vegas Hotel
June 12, 2017 – Two recent guests at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The Rio is disinfecting the system with chlorine and has relocated guests to rooms serviced by different water systems; guests who stayed at the hotel more than 2 weeks ago and have not developed symptoms are not at risk for the disease.
Do I Have a Legionnaires’ Disease Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Legionnaires’ disease lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you developed Legionnaires’ disease, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.