Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been affected by Legionnaires’ disease or has been exposed to Legionella bacteria, you may be entitled to compensation. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, which is an infection of one or both lungs.  Protect your rights and make sure you obtain the justice that you deserve for your injuries by contacting our highly skilled team of Legionnaires’ disease lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC today.

Why Choose The Lange Law Firm PLLC?

Legionnaires’ claims require you to prove who was responsible for exposing you to Legionella. This requires a deep understanding of how to represent clients in cases involving water contamination. The Lange Law Firm is the place to turn in these complex cases because:

• Our entire focus is on cases involving contaminated food and water. While many firms handle a wide range of injury claims, our mission is representing clients exposed to dangerous bacteria due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others. Because we handle so many of these food poisoning claims, we’ve developed a deep knowledge of the law, the science, and the investigative process.
• Jory Lange is a trusted advocate in water contamination claims: When other firms need an attorney to help victims of water contamination, they refer them to our team. The media has also turned to our team for insight into outbreaks because of our in-depth knowledge of Legionnaires’ disease and related illnesses. The trust placed in us is justified by our proven ability to conduct investigations, and present complex scientific evidence on source tracing, epidemiology and microbiology in understandable ways
• We have a proven track record: Our team has recovered millions of dollars for individuals harmed by unclean water or contaminated food. We have been named among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and earned an AV Preeminent rating because of our past successes and demonstrated skill in winning complex claims.
• We provide personalized support: While we’ve handled hundreds of cases involving victims harmed by bacterial exposure, we still remain committed to treating every case as our most important case. We understand how devastating your damages can be and we will fight for the funds you need to rebuild after Legionnaires’ disease makes you sick or takes the life of your loved one.

How Do I Know if I Have a Legionnaire’s Claim?

Legionnaires’ disease is preventable by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting water sources, but a claim can only be successful if you have proof that shows you were harmed due to the other party’s negligence in not doing so.

Here is what you must be able to show evidence of in order to have a legionella claim:

• You were exposed to legionella bacteria that causes disease
• The exposure to legionella led you to contract Legionnaires’ disease (confirmed diagnosis). This is typically proven with a urinary antigen test (UAT) that detects bacterial proteins, called antigens, in a urine sample. You may also need a sputum culture to isolate the bacteria and subtype, or a polymerase chain reaction test which is a molecular test that identifies bacterial DNA.
• The exposure to legionella bacteria happened while at the premises belonging to the defendant. Often, multiple parties are exposed when Legionella bacteria are present. This can lead to a class action or mass tort case as all of the people who were made sick come together to take legal action. It’s a good idea to check with public health authorities about outbreaks in your area, as well as to research claims brought by other exposed victims to see if there are existing claims.
• The exposure occurred due to negligence on behalf of the owner or operator of the premises (failing to clean/test water sources for legionella bacteria)

Legal Grounds For a Legionella Lawsuit

Most cases related to Legionnaires’ disease are based either on negligence or breach of an express or implied warranty. If a defective product was the cause of the exposure, then a strict liability claim could be made against the product manufacturer, but this isn’t usually as common.

Negligence claims require you to prove that the defendant was unreasonably careless or violated a safety rule and that your exposure occurred because of it. Typically, you could demonstrate negligence by showing:

• The defendant failed to implement a standard water management plan
• The defendant failed to maintain proper biocide or chlorine levels
• The defendant ignored complaints about water quality
• The defendant failed to respond to positive test results
• The defendant did not respond to “dead legs” in plumbing, which means they did not remove or flush stagnant, capped, or infrequently used pipe segments where water sat idle and developed bacteria
• The defendant failed to remove physical debris from cooling towers, allowing organic material to accumulate and provide a breeding ground for bacteria

These are just some of many examples in which a defendant’s failures could result in exposure to contaminated water that leads to Legionnaires’ disease.

Breach of express or implied warranty, as well as strict liability claims, could be asserted if you were exposed to contaminated water due to a defective commercial product such as a humidifier or defective whirlpool sauna. You’d need to show that the product caused harm when used as intended, or that it was not safe for its intended purpose.

What Steps to Take if You Think you Have a Legionnaires’ Disease Case?

To pursue a claim for compensation, you will need to demonstrate both that you have suffered damages because of Legionnaires’ disease and also that the defendant caused you to get sick. Generally, the CDC recommends focusing on your locations during the 14 days before symptoms begin.

Here are some of the key steps you should take to both preserve your claim and to help protect the public health by identifying a source of contaminated water.

• Undergo the proper medical testing. You must confirm that you specifically have Legionnaires’ disease as opposed to another bacterial infection. This is done through tests like a urinary antigen test, PCR testing, or taking a sputum culture. Ensure that your testing confirms the specific strain so you can match your illness to an environmental source.
• Create a detailed exposure timeline: Write a detailed description of all locations visited in the 14 days before becoming sick. Include your home or apartment, workplace, healthcare facilities, spas, swimming pools, and other locations and focus on any water exposure such as the use of nebulizers, misters, humidifiers, cooling systems, decorative fountains, or any other sources of water mist.
• Preserve physical evidence: Take pictures of posted water safety notices, faucets and shower heads, water stains, rust or corrosion, mold buildup, maintenance notices, pools, or any other evidence that there may have been a potential problem with the water.
• Make sure your condition is properly reported. Legionnaires’ disease is a nationally reportable disease so make sure your doctor has followed the proper process for notifying the authorities.  If a health department investigates, aim to obtain records including laboratory reports, notices issued to the facilities, environmental sampling reports, and inspection reports.
• Speak with a Legionnaires’ disease attorney: Your Legionella attorney can help you gather evidence and make sure it is preserved. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can also assist you in interfacing with public health authorities and conducting source tracing investigations as we have extensive experience helping identify sources of contamination.

Client Experience

“I cannot say enough great things about Lange Law Firm. Mr. Lange and Candess go out of their way to explain the process and keep their clients informed. Their team is caring and hard working. It was obvious their firm cares about their clients on a personal level.”

Tommie Yeiter

Google Review

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Legionnaires’ Disease Case?

A variety of different defendants could be held liable in a Legionnaires’ disease case. Some of the past defendants who have been held responsible include:

• Property owners
• Architects and engineers
• Cleaning companies
• Water system manufacturers
• Plumbers
• Employers
• General maintenance contractors
• Hotel owner and manager
• Spas
• Hospitals
• Health clubs
• Prisons
• Assisted living facilities

Some major cases in recent years include a lawsuit against a Las Vegas hotel, against contractors in New York City, and a claim against a Chicago medical center. But these are just a few of many. Any company or individual who allowed water contamination that resulted in the development of Legionnaires’ disease could be held responsible for their negligence.

Where Do Legionella Outbreaks Occur Most Often?

In the U.S., the CDC monitors legionella outbreaks and offers access to selected data.  While not a full accounting of cases of Legionnaires disease, it does give us a general idea of where the problem is greatest. From 2009 – 2023,  the database contains 770 Legionella outbreaks that led to 3,927 illnesses, 2,406 hospitalizations, and 280 deaths.

Florida reported more than twice as many legionella outbreaks as the next closest state.  However, more people fell ill or were killed in Illinois than in any other state.

When a setting was listed on a reported outbreak, hotels and hospitals were the most common setting for legionella outbreaks to occur.

1. Hotel/Motel – 195
2. Hospital – 160
3. Long-Term Care/Nursing Home/Assisted Living – 132
4. Apartment/Condo – 40
5. Fee-Based Facility/Membership Club – 33
6. Assisted Living – 23
7. Community/Municipality – 20
8. Factory/Industrial Facility – 17
9. Residence – Multi-Unit Housing – 15
10. Resort – 15

$3.5 Million recovered on behalf of 9 people who were hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease.

What Are Some Common Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease?

Symptoms tend to develop within two to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. The following signs and symptoms is how Legionnaires’ disease typically begins:

• Muscle pain
• Fever (can be 104 F or higher)
• Headache
• Chills

Around the second or third day, other signs and symptoms may develop:

• Cough, which may bring up mucus and sometimes blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Confusion or other mental changes
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Occasionally, the disease can cause infections in wounds and other parts of the body, including the heart

Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics, but it will develop into pneumonia for most who contract it and will require a hospital stay to fully recover.

Unfortunately, as the Cleveland Clinic explains, Legionnaires’ disease can also cause life-threatening complications including:

• Respiratory failure: Legionnaires’ disease can cause severe pneumonia and, in some cases, lung inflammation can prevent the lungs from transferring a sufficient amount of oxygen into the bloodstream. The use of a ventilator or breathing machine may become necessary.
• Acute kidney injury: Legionnaires’ disease can result in AKI or acute renal failure as a result of the body’s intense inflammatory response to the infection. The kidneys may become unable to filter waste, leading to a need for temporary dialysis.
• Encephalopathy: This condition develops when normal brain function is affected by the bacteria, causing symptoms including confusion, balance problems and trouble talking
• Inflammation in or around your heart: When the bacterial infection spreads beyond your lungs, it can affect the heart muscle and lead to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart) or endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart including the heart valves)
• Rhabdomyolysis: This condition involves the skeletal muscle tissue breaking down and releasing myoglobin and other cellular contents into the bloodstream. This can damage the kidneys and contribute to kidney failure.

The disease is also fatal in around one in 10 people. And even those who recover fully may experience months of symptoms including fatigue, difficulty walking, problems with balance and coordination, and slurred speech.

These symptoms can have a serious impact on your ability to work and on your quality of life for months or years.

You could also experience Pontiac fever, which is a mild form of Legionnaires’ disease. The difference being that Pontiac fever doesn’t infect the lungs. Symptoms include a fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. They will last anywhere from two to five days.

$1.5 Million recovered on behalf of an 85 year old woman who was hospitalized with Legionnaire’s disease.

Recent Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks

Below are a sampling of recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks and investigations from across the United States.  Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and not all investigations could determine the source of the outbreak. Recently, The Lange Law Firm has filed cases in Harlem and Upper East Side, New York regarding a Legionnaire’s outbreak.

Get Experienced Legal Representation For Your Legionella Case

If you think you or a loved one has been contaminated by Legionella bacteria, then time is of the essence. Contact The Lange Law Firm, PLLC to speak with a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer who has a reputation for success in handling these types of cases. Call (833) 330-3663 or fill out our online contact form. We offer free, no obligation legal consultations to discuss your potential case.