Legionnaires disease is a serious illness that sickens thousands of people every year across the United States. Here are just some of the reasons you should take a Legionnaires outbreak seriously, if it happens to you or someone close to you:
- Legionnaires is a waterborne illness
- Unlike many other types of respiratory illness, Legionnaires disease is not spread by air. Instead, the bacteria that causes the disease is waterborne, with victims often getting sick from infected sources of water such as showers, drinking fountains, cooling towers, or swimming pools.
- Legionnaires is often mistaken for pneumonia
- The symptoms of Legionnaires disease are often mistaken for more mundane respiratory infections, including pneumonia. As a result, it can often go undetected if not tested for.
- Legionnaires disease can be dangerous
- Like any other serious respiratory infection, Legionnaires disease can be dangerous, particularly to the elderly and those with certain chronic medical issues. As a result, people who show signs of infection should see a doctor as soon as possible.
- Legionnaires is often a sign of poor hygiene
- The Legionella bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease is easily destroyed by regular hygiene practices. Thus, a Legionnaires outbreak is often a sign of poor hygiene from whoever is responsible for keeping the infected water source clean.
- Legionnaires outbreaks tend to happen in clusters
- Because Legionnaires disease is caused by infected water sources, people who are exposed to that same source of water are likely to be infected. This means people tend to get infected in clusters, with victims all emerging around whatever caused them to get sick.
- Only medical testing can confirm Legionnaires
- Due to how much it mimics other types of respiratory illnesses, the only real way to confirm a case of Legionnaires is to get tested by a doctor. They can help determine if you are infected with Legionella, allowing you to take appropriate steps to address the problem
- You may be able to get compensation
- If you or someone you love has contracted Legionnaires disease, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling personal injury cases. They can advise you on your rights and help you get compensation for the harm you have suffered.
If you or someone you know has been injured or sickened as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at the Katter Law Firm. We will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 212-809-4293, or visit our contact page.