Legionnaires' disease is a serious illness. It is a severe type of pneumonia that causes the lungs to become inflamed. People can contract Legionnaires' disease after inhaling or consuming contaminated water containing the legionella bacteria. Some people become ill after working with contaminated soil. Most people who are exposed to the bacteria will never become sick from it. For one in 10 people who are exposed, though, the condition is fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Simply contracting the disease does not automatically mean that another person is to blame. However, if someone else's careless or negligent actions caused the exposure that resulted in sickness for you or someone you love, you can hold them liable for paying damages. Our Riverside legionnaires' disease lawyer can help you claim the maximum damages you justly deserve.
Who is Liable for Legionnaires' Disease?If you have become sick with legionnaires' disease, one of your first steps should be to determine if another person is liable for your exposure to the bacteria. In the majority of cases of legionnaires' disease, liability lies with the owner of a property, such as a nursing home, cruise ship, hospital, or hotel. Under California's premises liability laws, all property owners have a legal duty to ensure their premises are safe and free from danger so that those who enter them are not harmed. The legionella bacteria is just one such danger property owners must ensure are not present on the premises.
It is not always property owners who are liable when someone contracts legionnaires' disease. Other parties are also sometimes to blame, particularly entities who developed, constructed, engineered, installed, manufactured, inspected, or maintained water systems. These entities also have a legal duty to make sure that the products they create and use are not defective and will not result in anyone suffering harm. If you are not sure who is responsible for your illness, reach out to a legionnaires' disease lawyer in Riverside today.
Proving Liability After Contracting Legionnaires' DiseaseAfter establishing which party is responsible for your sickness, you must then prove four important elements of your case. The four elements you have the burden of proof to establish are as follows:
Proving the above elements of any personal injury case is never easy. A Riverside legionnaires' disease attorney will investigate the case, including the dangerous condition on the property. A lawyer will also identify the liable party and know how to hold them fully accountable for paying the maximum damages you deserve.
Call Our Legionnaires' Disease Attorney in Riverside TodayAt Brod Law Firm, our Riverside legionnaires' disease lawyer is dedicated to helping individuals who have become sick due to another person's negligence, and we can help you, too. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or reach out to us online to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about your legal options.