Legionnaires' disease is a severe type of pneumonia that causes inflammation in the lungs. The illness is caused by legionella bacteria, which can be found in soil and water. People usually become exposed to the bacteria because careless property owners fail to ensure their water sources are safe. When water systems are not properly manufactured and maintained, people can also become exposed to legionella and become very sick. If you or someone you love has become sick and you believe it was due to another person's carelessness, you can file a claim against them to collect monetary compensation. These cases can be quite complicated, however. Our Fairfield legionnaires' disease lawyer can help ensure you receive the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Who is Liable for Legionnaires' Disease?Contracting legionnaires' disease does not always automatically mean another person is liable for paying damages. To hold another person liable after contracting the disease, they must have acted carelessly, or negligently. That negligence must have also resulted in legionnaires' disease and subsequent harm.
In the majority of cases involving legionnaires' disease, property owners are to blame when someone becomes sick. All property owners in Fairfield have a legal duty to make sure their premises are safe so that no one becomes hurt. This includes making sure the water systems are safe by using appropriate disinfectants and ensuring the water has proper pH levels to destroy legionella and other harmful bacteria.
Water systems must also be properly engineered, designed, and manufactured. The parties responsible for these tasks can also be held liable if they do not ensure they handle these tasks properly and someone is exposed to legionella as a result. Any parties responsible for inspecting and maintaining water systems must also ensure the systems are safe and when they do not, they can also be held liable with the help of a legionnaires' disease lawyer in Fairfield.
Important Evidence in Cases of Legionnaires' DiseaseLike with any other type of personal injury case, you will need to present strong evidence when trying to hold someone liable after you have contracted legionnaires' disease. Your medical records will be some of the strongest evidence that can prove that you have contracted the disease, which is why it is so critical to seek medical attention as soon as you start experiencing symptoms.
Expert testimony is also often used in cases of legionnaires' disease. An expert can examine the water system and establish causation. Eyewitnesses can also testify as to how sick a person became and the root cause of the illness. For example, if many people in a nursing home became sick after consuming contaminated water, each of the residents can testify for the others.
Obtaining the necessary evidence to prove your case is not easy, particularly when you are trying to recover from this serious sickness. Our Fairfield legionnaires' disease attorney will collect the evidence for you so you can collect full damages while focusing on getting better.
Call Our Legionnaires' Disease Attorney in Fairfield for Sound Legal AdviceAt Brod Law Firm, our Fairfield legionnaires' disease lawyer can provide the strong legal counsel you need after you or someone you love has become sick. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or reach out to us online to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about how we can help.