Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia that can cause some people to become very sick. For one in 10 people, the condition is even fatal. If you or someone you love has contracted legionnaires' disease as a result of another person's negligence, or carelessness, you can take legal action against them. By filing a personal injury claim, you can hold the responsible party fully accountable for paying the financial compensation you deserve. Below, our Torrance legionnaires' disease lawyer explains the steps to follow when filing a claim.
Contact a Legionnaires' Disease Lawyer in TorranceIf you have been diagnosed with legionnaires' disease after a blood test or chest x-rays, it is important to call a Torrance legionnaires' disease attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will get to work on your case right away and will investigate the cause of the sickness and determine who is liable for paying the damages you deserve.
Confirm the Place of ExposureAfter receiving your diagnosis, you then must identify where the exposure happened. Create a list of any place you have visited within the past 18 days, as this is the incubation period for the disease. The list you create will provide a good starting point for your attorney when they start their investigation.
Determine if There Was an OutbreakIn many instances, legionella bacteria cause more than just one person to become sick. For example, if the water in a hot tub at a hotel is contaminated with legionella, any guest who uses the hot tub might become sick. When many people become sick from the same location, it is known as an outbreak, which can strengthen your case. Still, it is important to know that you can still file a lawsuit even if you were not part of an outbreak.
Review the Results of the Epidemiological InvestigationOnce there is a confirmed case of legionnaires' disease in Torrance, you or the facility that diagnosed you should report the case to the LA County Health Department. The department will then investigate the incident, which includes an epidemiological investigation. During this process, the department will generate hypotheses about the potential source of exposure, question people who became sick or who may have been exposed, and analyze the information collected.
Review the Results of the Environmental InvestigationOnce the likely source of exposure has been determined, samples of water will be taken from the suspected system or product, and they will be tested for the presence of legionella. The records of the facility will also be examined to determine whether proper maintenance, cleaning, and disinfecting procedures were being followed. You should obtain the report written after this investigation, as it can help strengthen your case.
Call Our Legionnaires' Disease Attorney in Torrance Before Filing a ClaimThere is a lot of documentation to collect before you file a claim to collect damages for legionnaires' disease. While you are recovering is not the time to try and collect it. At Brod Law Firm, our Torrance legionnaires' disease lawyer has the necessary experience to collect the evidence important to your case and to negotiate aggressively for 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.