In Sonoma and throughout the rest of California, people have suffered from legionnaires' disease. When a person contracts this serious type of pneumonia, they can become quite sick and in the most tragic of cases, the disease is fatal. If you have become sick or if someone you love has died from the disease, it is important to speak to a Sonoma legionnaires' disease lawyer who will fight for your rights. Our experienced attorney will investigate your case to determine if another person is responsible for your exposure and will hold the liable entity accountable for paying full compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, and more.
What Causes Legionnaires' Disease?Legionnaires' disease is a result of people being exposed to legionella bacteria, typically through a water supply. Legionella is naturally found in damp environments, including lakes, streams, and rivers. When people are exposed in one of these environments, they rarely become sick. It is when legionella is found in artificial structures that it really poses a problem. This is because these structures contain stagnant, lukewarm water. Water cooling systems are a common source of legionella bacteria in water supply systems.
When water is stagnant, it develops a film on its surface, and legionella can start to collect within that film. When people inhale or consume droplets of contaminated water, they can develop legionnaires' disease. If you have gotten sick due to someone else's negligence, a legionnaires' disease attorney in Sonoma can help.
Where is Legionella Found?Any time there is a water supply, there is a chance the water could be contaminated with legionella. However, legionella is more commonly found in some types of water supplies than others. The most common water supplies where legionella is found include the following:
The immune system of the average person is usually very resistant to the disease, so most people do not become sick after being exposed to legionella. Individuals who have weaker immune systems are most at risk for contracting the disease, as are heavy drinkers and smokers.
What Symptoms are Associated with Legionnaires' Disease?Even when people become sick from legionnaires' disease, there is a good chance they will recover. The condition is most easily treated in its early phases, so it is important that everyone can identify the most common symptoms of legionnaires' disease. They include:
Determining who is liable for exposure to the legionella bacteria is never easy. At Brod Law Firm, our Sonoma legionnaires' disease attorney has extensive experience handling these types of cases and will put that expertise to work for you so you receive the full and fair settlement to which you are entitled. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.