While public outbreaks of deadly diseases are extremely rare in the United States thanks to modern sanitation and health procedures, there remain a few situations in which dangerous infections can affect large numbers of people very quickly through specific vectors. The bacterial infection caused by Legionella pneumophilia is commonly known as Legionnaire’s disease and has a mortality rate of between 5 and 30 percent of victims according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacterium thrives most commonly in large water systems that have not been adequately maintained to protect against dangerous infections, and the property owners responsible for these systems have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to keep individuals who use their premises safe.
If you have become infected with Legionnaires’ disease, the proximate cause of your injury may have been the negligent actions of a property manager or owner who failed to take adequate steps to protect against unsafe populations of Legionella pneumophilia. For a free consultation with an experienced Chicago Legionnaires’ disease attorney, call LaMarca Law Group, P.C., today at (515) 420-1612.
How Legionnaires’ Infections Spread
While it is possible to contract the disease through contact with soil, the most common source of infection for Legionnaires’ disease is the inhalation of microscopic water droplets containing the bacteria, or “aspiration”. Aspiration most commonly occurs when an individual coughs or otherwise inhales water from any of the following sources:
- Swimming pools
- Decorative fountains
- Hot tubs
- Spas
- Hotel water systems
Recently in Chicago, several cases of Legionnaires’ have been connected to exposure at the JW Marriott hotel on W. Adams St., and it is possible that the hotel’s negligence has lead directly to the injury suffered by these individuals.
Contact Us
At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., our experienced legal team has a long history of successfully protecting the rights of personal injury victims by helping them to obtain full and fair compensation for their injuries through competent and aggressive litigation. If you have contracted Legionnaires’ disease and are in need, our JW Marriott Legionnaires’ disease lawyers will work diligently to help you fight for compensation. Call us today at (515) 705-0233 to learn more about your rights and options.