From New York to California, populations across the United States have an increased risk of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Health officials are increasingly concerned about the continuous uptick of Legionnaires’ disease cases, which have risen steadily since 2000. While the waterborne bacterial disease is relatively rare ― with 6,238 cases nationwideso far this year ― there has been a 13.6 percent increase in cases since this time last year. That’s nearly double the increase of 7.8 percent from 2015 to 2016 in the same time period. The disease is not contagious. It’s contracted when people breathe in water droplets contaminated…
ASHRAE 188 is an industry standard dealing with preventing Legionnaires’ disease in water systems in buildings in the United States. Unfortunately, the standard does not go far enough. While it does require the development of a water management plan, it does not require testing for the presence of legionella (the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease) in the water supply. This often leads to a person contracting Legionnaires’ disease and then testing for the presence of the bacteria. This is the proverbial canary in the coal mine scenario, where the miners only knew there was gas after it had spread throughout…
Even the happiest place on Earth is immune from the potentially lethal bacteria called Legionella. Orange County, CA health officials isolated Cooling towers located in Disneyland as the common source that caused at least 12 cases of legionnaires’ disease over the last three weeks. Most of those who were affected were visitors of the park while at least three were resident living closely to the cooling towers in question. At least 10 individuals were hospitalized. Legionnaires’ is a severe lung infection caused by exposure to contaminated water or mist. In other cases handled by Jules Zacher, we have seen cooling…
Five guests and one employee of the Springhill Suites Austin Round Rock hotel in Williamson County, Texas, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The earliest cases were reported to the State Department of Health Services on September 29, 2017. The hotel has enlisted the help of a third-party firm in attempt to identify any possible source of Legionella bacteria and eliminate it from the property. The first three cases all reported being in or around the hot tub at the hotel, as well as the employee who had access to that area of the property. The hotel opted to close…
Drackett Tower at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio is now taking precautions after a student associated with the dorm hall was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. This bacteria tends to thrive in water environments, and can cause illness when it is inhaled in the lungs through a mist or spray form of the contaminated water. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include nausea, vomiting, coughing, confusion, and lethargy. Reportedly, the dorm had a water drain line collapse last month which required the line to be shut…
A patient of St. Patrick Hospital recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Subsequent tests of the water supply at the hospital revealed its water was contaminated with the bacteria. The hospital’s remediation plans include installing medical-grade water filters on the faucets and shower heads. Not everyone who is exposed to Legionella bacteria is at risk for becoming ill. Most susceptible individuals tend to be of advanced age and/or have underlying medical conditions. The hospital is also providing patients with bottled water and keeping them up to date on remediation developments. If you believe you or someone you know has been…
A 62 year old woman died on June 21, 2017, after staying at the Guest House at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee from June 10-13, 2017 with three members of her family. Legionnaires’ disease was reportedly listed as her cause of death by the medical examiner on her autopsy. Her accompanying family members also fell ill and tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. The family filed a lawsuit, alleging that the Guest House at Graceland did not properly maintain its water systems, and thus caused the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. She and her family reportedly used the pool and hot tub at…
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested the water supply of Lindenwood apartment complex in Queens, NYC after two residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. One diagnosis came last month, while the other was last year. A notice was issued to warn residents to take precautions, but it is not yet clear whether or not the tests performed at the building came back positive for Legionella bacteria. Both residents that fell ill have since been released from the hospital. More information is available at the link below: If you believe you or someone you know has…
How many of you have used Scott’s Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables? My client did, and in a lawsuit brought in federal court he is alleging he contracted Legionnaires’ disease from using the product. The evidence that has been provided so far shows that the same type of Legionella bacteria found in the bag he used was also found in his body while in the hospital. Other evidence shows that Legionnaires’ disease has been associated with manufactured soils in the United States and overseas. Yet no warnings about the dangers associated with Legionnaires’ disease existed on the bag…
A “Notice to Tenants” was posted in the lobby of Hampton House at 93-10 Queens Boulevard, advising residents that the agency is working with the building management to test the water for legionella, the Legionnaires’ disease causing bacteria. This comes after multiple Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in the NYC area. Since 2015, Legionnaires’ disease has sickened 120 people and killed 12 in the nation’s economic capital. If you believe you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see what we can do to help. Jules Zacher is an attorney in Philadelphia who has tried Legionnaires’ disease cases…