The California Legionnaires’ Disease attorneys of Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers actively pursue claims against responsible property owners and business owners on behalf of patients who have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Our legal teams aggressively investigate claims of Legionnaires’ disease, working with a team of experts to determine how, where and when the victim was exposed.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease, contact our hazardous exposure lawyers now for a free and confidential consultation. Time is of the essence for these claims, as evidence can disappear quickly and must be properly preserved and protected.
Contact us now to discuss your potential case by calling 1-800-718-4658, using the live chat feature, or completing the contact form on this page.
COVID Lockdown & Legionnaires’ Risk
The COVID-19 lockdowns in California may have created an increased risk of Legionnaires’ disease transmission.
Legionella, the bacteria which cause Legionnaires’ disease, thrive in sinks, showers, hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, decorative water features, and plumbing systems. Plumbing in buildings was constantly flushed with chlorinated water before the COVID-19 pandemic, and hot water flowing through the plumbing was too hot for bacterial growth. However, the COVID-19 lockdown meant that chlorine, which disappears after a few days, was no longer being regularly flushed through pipes and that hot water was stagnating and cooling in pipes.
Legionella can grow in pipes after only a few weeks of a building’s reduced occupation or shutdown. These buildings could transmit Legionnaires’ disease to others if they are reopened without proper testing.
Call us today at 800-718-4658 if you or a loved one was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after being inside a recently re-opened building. You may be eligible for financial compensation.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a relatively new disease. The Legionella bacteria was discovered in 1976 after a convention at the American Legion in Philadelphia, hence the name. Many people in attendance became infected by a type of pneumonia that became known as Legionnaires’ disease. In 1968, Pontiac fever was discovered among those who had come into contact with the city’s health department. It was later discovered that the same bacteria caused both Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever.
Causes Of Legionnaires’ Disease
The Legionella bacteria lives outside in soil and water but rarely causes infections. It is when the bacteria live inside that it causes disease. It has the ability to multiply quickly in water systems such as air conditioners, mist sprayers and hot tubs. Legionnaires’ disease is more likely occur in large buildings because of the complex plumbing systems involved.
Infections occur when people inhale water droplets that contain Legionella bacteria. Exposure to this dangerous bacteria can occur in many ways and in many different settings. Some examples of settings where Legionnaires’ outbreaks have occurred include:
- Cruise Ships
- Amusement Parks
- Swimming Pools
- Physical Therapy Equipment
- Produce Mist Machines In Grocery Stores
- Hospital Water & Cooling Systems
- Hotel Water & Cooling Systems
If you or a loved were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, contact the Legionnaires’ Lawsuit Attorneys of Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers now by calling 1-800-718-4658. We offer a 100% free and confidential case evaluation. Don’t wait, call now.
Who Is More Likely To Develop Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is relatively rare. In 2015, there were 6,000 cases, although it is often underdiagnosed. It is most likely to occur in summer and early fall. Seniors over the age of 50, those who lung disease, those who smoke and those with compromised immune systems are most likely to get the disease.
Symptoms Of Legionnaires’ Disease
Symptoms tend to occur within 2-10 days after exposure to the Legionella bacteria, although many people do not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed. Legionnaires’ disease starts with symptoms such as the following:
- Fever above 104 degrees
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches/pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cough with blood or mucus
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mental changes such as confusion
Legionnaires’ disease primarily affects the lungs, but in some cases, can affect the heart and cause infections in other parts of the body. If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor right away for treatment. Without prompt treatment, serious complications can occur. Acute kidney failure, respiratory failure and septic shock can occur, and can sometimes be fatal.
How Is Legionnaires’ Disease Diagnosed?
Legionnaires’ disease is often confused with pneumonia. To check for Legionnaires’ disease quickly, your doctor may ask you to take a urine test to check for Legionella antigens. You may also be diagnosed through a blood test or the doctor may test your lung tissue or mucus.
A chest X-ray may also be performed to see if there is an infection in your lungs. This test, however, does not diagnose Legionnaires’ disease. If you are having mental issues, a CT scan may be helpful in pinpointing the cause.
Treatment For Legionnaires’ Disease?
If you have Pontiac fever, the disease will go away on its own and you won’t experience any lingering effects. However, Legionnaires’ disease is much more serious and cannot be ignored. If you are diagnosed with this disease, you’ll need a course of antibiotics to eliminate symptoms and cure the disease. Medications such as azithromycin or ciprofloxacin are most commonly prescribed. The sooner you start medications, the better. You may even need to be hospitalized depending on the severity of your lung infection.
Many victims of Legionnaires’ disease experience issues for many months following onset of the disease. In 63 percent of victims, neuromuscular symptoms persist. Neurological symptoms persist for 66 percent of patients, while 75 percent continue to experience fatigue.
Disneyland Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak In 2017
Between August 2017 and October 2017, fifteen people were infected with Legionnaires’ Disease in and around Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Eleven of the victims diagnosed with the disease had visited Disneyland. All of the 2017 victims were between the ages of 52 and 94. Two people died, but neither one had visited the theme park.
It is believed that the victims were exposed to the Legionella bacteria via water droplets from two cooling towers at Disneyland. The cooling towers were tested and were found to contain the Legionella bacteria. The towers were located near the New Orleans Square Train Station and were within 100 feet of guests.
How Do I Find Out If I Have A Case?
The Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit attorneys of Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers offer a free and confidential consultation. We want to learn more about your diagnosis, exposure and what happened to you. Contact our legal team now to discuss your potential case by calling 1-800-718-4658, using the live chat feature, or completing the contact form on this page.
Remember, time is of the essence for these claims to ensure that all available evidence can be collected and investigated.
