Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer in Tennessee 

Legionnaires’ disease is a rare lung infection caused by naturally occurring bacteria. Unfortunately, when these bacteria grow and thrive in artificial water systems, the outcome for unsuspecting individuals can be devastating.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates nearly 10,000 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States each year. Many patients may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and financial losses. If you have been diagnosed with the disease, it’s time to discuss your situation with a skilled Tennessee Legionnaires’ disease attorney.

Contact us online or call The Terry Law Firm today to get started with a free and confidential consultation. We want to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for an illness someone’s careless or even reckless behavior caused you.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia infection caused by the legionella bacteria. People can become infected with this potentially deadly bacteria by inhaling droplets of contaminated water or coming into contact with tainted soil.

Legionella bacteria was discovered in 1976 after a pneumonia outbreak at a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion. As a result, subsequent legionella infections were called Legionnaires’ disease. However, the origins of legionella bacteria extend back further. In 1968, medical professionals in Pontiac, Michigan, identified mild cases of fever and pneumonia caused by a specific but unknown type of bacteria. Later, scientists realized that the legionella bacteria are responsible for causing both Pontiac fever and Legionnaires’ disease.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionnaires’ disease shares many symptoms with other lung infections like pneumonia. The most common signs of a Legionnaires’ infection include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Fever
• Chest pain

Although the disease primarily affects the lungs, some people experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases, an individual may suffer from confusion and other mental disorders. Legionella bacteria also cause Pontiac fever, whose symptoms include muscle aches and fever. Generally, Pontiac fever causes much milder symptoms that only last a few days to one week.

Where Do Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks Occur?

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater bodies like lakes and streams. People who enjoy the outdoors and recreational activities can be exposed to the bacteria when they swim in contaminated water. Legionella bacteria can also live in soil and potting mix. However, environmental exposure infections are rare.

Many people contract Legionnaires’ disease when the legionella bacteria grow and spread in human-made water systems. The plumbing systems in large buildings are complex and may allow the bacteria to grow and spread more easily. Systems that rely on water for cooling purposes are also at risk of developing legionella bacteria contamination.

Human-created water systems that may foster the spread of Legionnaires’ disease can include:

• Hot tubs
• Swimming pools
• Complex plumbing systems, particularly in large buildings
• Showerheads
• Sink faucets
• Cooling towers
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks
• Birthing tubs

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak generally starts when people inhale microscopic water droplets contaminated with legionella bacteria. Most people develop symptoms two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.

The infamous first outbreak of the disease may have started in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel’s air conditioning cooling units. Over 600 members of the American Legion organization had been staying at the hotel, celebrating the country’s bicentennial. At least 200 American Legion members reported becoming ill with pneumonia-like symptoms shortly after their stay. Eventually, medical professionals pinpointed the infection to the legionella bacteria, but not before 29 American Legion members died of the then-unknown disease.

Who Could Be Liable for Legionnaires’ Disease in Tennessee?

One reason that cases involving Legionnaires’ disease can be complex is that more than one party may be liable to cover the medical expenses of someone they infected. Often, liability rests with one or more of the following:

• Hotel owners or operators
• Premises managers
• Cruise ship companies
• Apartment complex management
• Employers
• Maintenance contractors
• Water or cooling system manufacturers
• Water system installers or tradespeople

In some circumstances, the architect or designer of a specific plumbing or water system may also bear some responsibility for causing a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.

Proving Liability for a Legionnaires’ Disease Infection

Proving liability for a Legionnaires’ disease infection can be challenging and takes compelling evidence. To mount a strong compensation claim, you need to establish you were exposed to the legionella bacteria at a particular time and place and that the exposure resulted in a Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis. You must then establish how the negligence of another party allowed the bacteria to spread and infect you.

Recovering the evidence necessary to establish all this is seldom easy. However, talking to an attorney as soon as possible improves your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve. An experienced attorney has the knowledge and resources to conduct an investigation into the cause of your infection and to collect valuable evidence before it is lost or destroyed.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Legionnaires’ Disease Case in Tennessee?

Legionnaires’ disease can be debilitating. In rare cases, the infection can cause medical complications in individuals with compromised immune systems and may even result in death. Did a careless individual or organization cause your infection? You may be entitled to valuable compensation for losses such as the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Disability from permanent medical complications
• Pain and suffering

An experienced Legionnaire’s disease attorney can evaluate your claim and determine the amount of compensation you may be able to recover.

Talk to Our Experienced Tennessee Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer Today

Have you been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in Tennessee? Do you believe someone else is to blame? You could be owed significant compensation. Discuss your legal options today with a skilled Tennessee Legionnaires disease lawyer with The Terry Law Firm.

At The Terry Law Firm, we have dedicated our careers to protecting the rights of people who’ve been hurt due to the carelessness of others. Contact our office today to set up a free consultation with our Legionnaires’ disease lawyers and find out what we can do for you.