Legionnaires Disease Attorney Tampa Bay
Helping Legionnaires’ disease victims and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve
Speak with a Legionnaires Disease Attorney now. Call (813) 774-3433 for a free consultation.
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10% of people who contract Legionnaires’ disease will die from it.1
Since 2002, reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease have risen more than 650%.2
In 2020, Florida accounted for 60% of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks nationally.2
If you or a loved one contracted or was exposed to Legionnaires’ disease, it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal. It is caused by strains of Legionella bacteria that are typically found in manmade bodies of water, such as hot tubs, pools, fountains, and plumbing systems. Outbreaks generally occur in places like hotels, hospitals, water parks, and office buildings, where proper and regular maintenance of water systems is neglected.
Since Legionnaires’ disease is often caused by property management negligence, individuals who are affected may be able to file a lawsuit against the property owner or operator. At Darrigo & Diaz, our Legionnaires’ Disease Attorneys specialize in this unique and complex area of law, providing expert legal representation for victims seeking justice and compensation. Led by Attorney Andy Steingold, our Legionnaires’ Disease Attorneys are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the harm and devastation they have caused.
On this webpage, you will find important information about Legionnaires’ disease, including what to do if you suspect exposure and how to file a lawsuit with our firm. However, you must take legal action quickly to ensure your rights are protected. If you or a loved one have contracted Legionnaires’ disease, contact our Tampa Bay Legionnaires’ Disease Attorneys immediately at (813) 774-3433 for a free consultation.
Important information on this page:
• What is Legionnaires’ disease?
• Where have there been recent outbreaks in Florida?
• How to file a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit?
• Can I sue if a family member died from Legionnaires’ disease?
• Can I sue a hotel for Legionnaires’ disease?
• Can I sue a hospital for Legionnaires’ disease?
• What damages are covered in a Legionnaire’s disease lawsuit?
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What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia—lung inflammation usually caused by infection. The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria and can be contracted through the inhalation of contaminated water or soil. Older individuals, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease. Although Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics, some people continue to have problems after treatment.
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What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease typically manifests within two to 10 days after exposure to contaminated water. The first signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
- Fevers of 104°F or higher
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
By the second or third day, additional signs and symptoms may appear, including:
- Coughs, which may contain mucus and blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea
- Mental confusion
Although Legionnaires’ disease primarily affects the respiratory tract, the disease can cause infections in other parts of the body, including the brain and heart. If you believe you were exposed to contaminated water and present with any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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How do you contract Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionella bacteria are naturally occurring in soil and water and rarely cause infections. However, legionella bacteria can multiply in manmade water systems, such as hot tubs, fountains, and air conditioners. While it is possible to contract Legionnaires’ disease from home plumbing, it is highly unlikely. Most outbreaks occur in large public buildings, where the bacteria has a greater chance of growing and spreading.
It only takes a microscopic drop of water containing legionella bacteria to be infected. Typically, the infection spreads from water spraying from a shower, faucet, whirlpool, fountains, or vapor from a contaminated ventilation system.
Legionnaires’ disease has been linked to:
- Hot tubs and whirlpools
- Swimming pools
- Cooling towers in air conditioning systems
- Hot water tanks and heaters
- Decorative fountains
- Birthing pools
- Drinking water
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Recent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Florida
While Legionnaires’ disease can manifest anywhere in the United States (and globally), Florida, with its numerous water systems, seems to be a hotspot for the infection. Below are a few of the recent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Florida.
- Coleman Federal Correctional Complex – In February 2020, more than 23 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex near Wildwood, Florida.
- Mayo Clinic – In October 2019, the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida reported multiple cases of Legionella.
- LA Fitness – In the summer of 2017, multiple members of an LA Fitness club in Orange County, Florida tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease.
- Florida Hospital Orlando – In January 2016, the water system at Florida Hospital Orlando tested positive for Legionella bacteria and was undergoing remediation.
Again, Legionnaires’ disease can happen anywhere. If you or a loved one contracted Legionnaire’s disease at a public institution, such as a gym, hotel, hospital, or water park, you may have the legal right to sue the negligent property owners. Continue reading to learn more about how to file a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit.
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How to file a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit?
Legionnaires’ Disease cases, like other infection cases, are complex and scientifically and legally demanding. If you believe you have the right to file a lawsuit for negligence, you must contact an attorney with experience handling these types of cases. At Darrigo & Diaz, we are a Tampa Bay personal injury law firm that represents individuals who have been harmed by the negligence of others. Attorney Andy Steingold, a senior trial attorney at our firm with over 37 years of experience practicing in the areas of medical negligence, personal injury, and wrongful death, will be the lead counsel of your case. He has handled multiple Legionnaires’ disease cases in Florida and has successfully secured compensation for victims and their loved ones.
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How do you know if you have a potential Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit?
If you contracted Legionnaires disease, there are five steps you must take to determine if you have a potential Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit.
- Contact a Legionnaires’ Disease Attorney: Once a doctor has confirmed that you have Legionnaires’ disease through bloodwork, scans or x-rays, contact an experienced Legionnaires’ Disease Attorney (like Attorney Andy Steingold at Darrigo & Diaz).
- Confirm where you contracted the disease: Once you receive confirmation of the pathogen, the next step is to determine where you contracted it. Think back about two to 18 days from when your symptoms first appeared.
- Determine if you are part of an outbreak: Check news outlets and the internet to see if other reports of Legionnaires’ disease cases have emerged from the site you visited. That’s usually strong evidence of an outbreak. If a person is part of an outbreak, the individual is considered a “case-patient.” However, you do not need to be part of an outbreak to pursue a lawsuit.
- Report the infection and/or review investigation results: In Florida, confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease must be reported to local and state health departments so they can investigate the source and/or outbreak. Part of this process is an epidemiologic investigation, which involves hypotheses about how the contamination happened and contacting people who were exposed or got sick. Once the source of the infection has been identified, investigators will take water samples and test it for the presence of Legionella bacteria. They will also collect records of site maintenance, operations and sanitation to determine if negligence is involved.
Your attorney will prepare your case and file a lawsuit on your behalf: Depending on the results of the investigation, as well as the impact of your health, your attorney will prepare your case and file a lawsuit against the negligent party. This process can be complex and time-consuming. However, having an experienced Legionnaires’ Disease Attorney ensures your case is properly investigated and prepared to give you the best possible chance of securing justice and compensation.
Can I sue if a family member died from Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious infection that can lead to death. This is not only emotionally devastating, but financially devastating as well. If your loved one died from Legionnaires’ disease and the exposure is believed to be from the negligence of a property owner, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Families in these situations deserve justice and compensation. Wrongful death lawsuits can be brought against gyms, hotels, hospitals, and any other type of public institution.
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Can I sue a hotel for Legionnaires’ disease?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit against a hotel if it is believed that you were infected while visiting. Over the years, hotels have been the source of several Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks across the United States. A report published in 2016 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that hotels were the most common setting of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks from 2000 to 2014.
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Can I sue a hospital for Legionnaires’ disease?
Yes, you can sue a hospital and any other healthcare organization, including a VA medical center, nursing home, and outpatient clinic, for Legionnaires’ disease. However, these are often large, complex buildings and finding the source of the illness requires a team of experienced investigators. You may also have a medical malpractice case if your doctor fails to diagnose Legionnaires’ disease and that error leads to severe illness of death.
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What damages are covered in a Legionnaire’s disease lawsuit?
In a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit, several types of damages may be covered to compensate victims for the harm they have suffered due to exposure to Legionella bacteria. Here’s a breakdown of the damages that are typically covered:
- Medical expenses: Costs associated with hospitalization, emergency room visits, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to time away from work while recovering from the illness. You may also recover future lost earnings if the illness results in a long-term or permanent disability that affects your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the illness, including symptoms like severe pneumonia, fever, muscle aches, and respiratory issues. This can also include emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, fear, and other emotional consequences related to the illness and its effects on daily life.
- Punitive damages: In cases where the responsible party’s actions were particularly reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
- Wrongful death damages: If Legionnaires’ disease results in death, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim, which can cover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and survivors’ pain and suffering.
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Are you or a loved one a victim of Legionnaires’ disease?
Speak with a Legionnaires Disease Attorney now. Call (813) 774-3433 for a free consultation.
At Darrigo & Diaz, our Tampa Bay Legionnaires’ Disease Attorneys will work tirelessly to help victims and their loved ones get the compensation, justice, and answers they deserve. Our law firm is one of the few firms in Florida that specialize in Legionnaires’ disease cases. We will investigate your case and hold negligent parties accountable. We help clients in all parts of Florida and we are not paid anything unless we secure a settlement for you.
If your husband, wife, parent, or other family member died, your family may have a wrongful death claim and have the right to sue for compensation and justice.
Take the first step. We offer free consultations and you do not have to pay anything unless we win your case.
Call 813-774-3433 now to schedule your complimentary meeting with our experienced Legionnaires’ Disease Attorneys.
