A recent New York Times article reported that Michigan state officials have been charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of an 85 year old resident of Flint MI. Conviction could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison. According to the article, the state officials knew about Legionnaires’s disease being associated with the Flint water supply as early as 2014 but did not respond to the problem in a timely fashion, and, more importantly, failed to tell the public about the growing number of Legionnaires’ disease cases. This newspaper article points up a number of issues surrounding Legionnaires’ disease.…
According to a news report dated June 10, 2017, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) ordered environmental testing of the Rio All-Suites Resort & Casino after only one confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease had been associated with the hotel. Environmental testing consists of obtaining samples of the water at a facility such as the Rio and then testing for the presence of the legionella bacteria, again according to the news report the test came back positive for the presence of the legionella bacteria. SNHD is to be commended for taking this proactive response after only one case has been associated with a…
In Orange County, FL, 4 members of an LA Fitness gym have contracted Legionnaires’ disease. The Department of Health has begun investigating whether the spas and showers located at the LA Fitness location could have been the source of the legionella bacteria. News of the Florida cases comes on the heels of several other outbreaks around the country. The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ was found in a New York City police precinct where an officer was hospitalized with symptoms of the disease. Last week, the Southern Nevada Health District announced it is investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ in guests who stayed…
There have been numerous recent reports about two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease of persons associated with the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Unfortunately, Las Vegas has been the scene of a number of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in past years. Jules Zacher, Esq. has represented persons who had stayed at the Aria Resorts and Casino who had contracted Legionnaires’ disease. This representation included two lawsuits, one brought in state court in Nevada and the other in the U.S. District Court for Nevada. The litigation included significant investigation of the reason for the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease…
An unidentified East Harlem police officer has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease. This diagnosis prompted NYC Department of Health officials to investigate the source of this illness. Following an investigation, Department of Health officials stated that Legionella, the Legionnaires’ Disease causing bacteria, was found in the workplace of the officer. This comes after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease killed 12 people and sickened 128 others in the South Bronx section of New York City in the Summer of 2015. For more information about the Legionnaires’ Disease case involving the police click here to red a New York Times article. If you…
Positive findings of Legionella bacteria were found throughout the water system in the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The investigation came about after two guests contracted Legionnaires ’ disease following their stay at the Rio Hotel in March and April. Test results conducted by The Southern Nevada Health District following the second reported case of the disease showed the presence of the bacteria. The company is now taking action to remediate the problem and disinfect the water. Guests are being alerted and are being relocated while remediation is taking place. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia…
Modern life gives soon-to-be mothers a range of options to chose from when preparing to bring her child into the world. Increasingly, mothers are opting for a natural birth with some choosing to delivery their babies at home as opposed to at a hospital. A method of delivery known as water birthing has grown increasingly popular as part of this trend. During these births, a mother sits half submerged in a pool or tub of warm water as she delivers her child. As a form of natural birth, proponents claim that water births provides the mother with some small comfort…
Legionnaires’ Disease is on the rise across the United States. This serious infection can be transmitted to humans via contact with inadequately maintained or treated water supplies. While the disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person, Legionnaires’ Disease can be fatal especially for individuals who already have compromised immune or respiratory systems. Click Here to read an article by the consumer reports organization detailing what you need to know about Legionnaires’ Disease. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see what we can do to help.
Two weeks ago, a resident of the St. Paul’s community tested positive for presence of Legionella antigen. The community has since tested their facilities and are awaiting results to see if their community was the source of the bacteria. Community leaders have expressed in a statement released in the Record Argus that “At this time, we are taking an abundance of caution as we investigate.” The CEO of St. Paul’s, Chris Wright, advised that the efforts being taken include enlisting the assistance of consultants and discussing as a group about where any of the community’s risks for the bacteria may…
Dr. Joseph Mollura began working full time as the medical director at the SCI Pittsburgh about four years ago. However, Dr. Mollura died on August 8, 2016 after he developed Legionnaires’ disease. His family filed a lawsuit on May 4, 2017 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, alleging that Dr. Mollura developed Legionnaires’ disease from working at SCI Pittsburgh. The family filed suit against the state Department of Corrections and Capital Technologies, the company that was hired to provide water services to the prison. The family claims wrongful death, suggesting that the prison first detected high levels of Legionella bacteria in…