LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE

Legionnaires' Disease can be a devastating disease; killing some and leaving others with severely weakened lungs and a future life without the ability to do tasks once easily accomplished. Unfortunately, the majority of cases are caused by negligence! Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires', lives naturally in moist environments such as hot tubs, decorative fountains and building cooling towers. However, when the environment becomes dirty the bacteria begins to multiply. When a person happens to be in the vicinity of the airborne mist coming from the legionnella infested water they can breathe in the bacteria which then also begins to grow inside their lungs. The first signs of the disease can be up to two weeks after ingestion and mimic pneumonia.

Legionnaires' Disease was first reported in 1976 after many people became ill following an American Legion conference in Philadelphia, hence the name Legionnaires. Because the incubation period can be up to two weeks, finding the source of the bacteria ingestion can be difficult. Consulting with an attorney as soon as the diagnosis is made is imperative so that the source can be tracked down and other people will not get ill and potentially die. 

In many cases a negligence suit can be brought against a business or entity since the disease outbreaks are commonly caused by either lack of cleaning or improperly cleaning water systems. The award a lawsuit may bring can help provide justice for families and a means to pay medical bills that can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The lawyers at Cherry and Irwin have successfully litigated for Legionnaires' Disease clients and have won millions of dollars for them.

Don't procrastinate! Contact the attorneys of Cherry and Irwin in Dothan, Alabama right away. 

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