What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a respiratory illness caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria.
It is typically contracted from hotels, motels, apartment buildings, office buildings, warehouses, production facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical facilities when people breathe in small droplets of water containing bacteria which has grown in improperly designed or maintained building water systems. The name Legionnaires’ disease originates from a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia where the outbreak was first identified.
Since then, Legionnaires’ disease has surfaced occasionally in the news in Illinois and Iowa. A 2015 outbreak at a Quincy veterans’ home recently attracted news media attention when Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan launched an investigation into how Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration responded to the incident. And in July, it was reported that the McHenry, Illinois, County Department of Health officials were investigating nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease diagnosed from June 7 to July 1.
Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen has collected millions of dollars on behalf of individuals and the families of individuals who have contracted Legionnaires’ disease. On our website, we answer questions you might be asking as the disease continues to create a conversation about its severity. I invite you to read our discussion on Legionnaires’ disease to understand this illness. Note that Legionnaires’ disease cases are exceedingly rare and require a specialization that most attorneys do not have. If you or someone you know in Iowa or Illinois contracts this terrible disease, the Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen Illinois/Iowa Injury Network can help you. Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen to discuss your options.
Call (800) 535-4542 anytime, day or night for a free consultation about your case.
