Los Angeles Legionnaires Disease Lawyer

Legionnaires disease is a very serious form of pneumonia. The condition is caused by the legionella bacteria, which is sometimes found in both water and soil. When a person inhales or consumes water droplets containing legionella, they may start to develop symptoms in the following two to 10 days. Not everyone who is exposed to legionella will become sick. However, for one in 10 people who contract the condition, it is fatal. In some cases, a person contracts the disease due to another person’s negligent actions. When this is the case, negligent parties can be held liable for paying damages. A Los Angeles Legionnaires disease lawyer can help you claim the full settlement you justly deserve.

Legionnaires disease left untreated can be fatal, so you must know the signs and symptoms. The most common symptoms of Legionnaires disease are as follows:

• High fever
• Cough
• Chills
• Headaches
• Muscle pains

The above symptoms usually appear on the first or second day after exposure. Symptoms that appear after the second day are more serious and include:

• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

Again, while not everyone becomes sick after being exposed to the legionella bacteria, others can become very ill. Individuals with weakened immune systems and chronic lung disease are most likely to suffer complications after exposure, as are people over the age of 50 and smokers.

If you start experiencing symptoms of Legionnaires disease, it is critical that you seek medical attention right away. The condition is fairly easy to diagnose through chest x-rays, a physical exam, and multiple types of laboratory tests. The urinary antigen test is especially useful when diagnosing Legionnaire’s.

Legionnaires disease is treated fairly easily with antibiotics. Antibiotics attack the legionella bacteria and destroy it. Using this treatment, most people make a full recovery within ten days. When antibiotics do not work, patients usually have to be admitted to the hospital and extensive treatment in the Intensive Care Unit is often necessary.

After recovering, most individuals will not experience any other symptoms, unless they are exposed to legionella again. In some cases, however, the symptoms go away temporarily only to return and create long-term respiratory issues. No one should have to pay the high cost of medical treatment, lost time from work, and sustain other losses after becoming sick due to someone else’s negligence. A Legionnaires disease attorney in Los Angeles can help injured individuals recover damages for their losses.

You may be entitled to monetary compensation if you have contracted Legionnaires disease, but determining which party is liable for paying damages is not easy. At Brod Law Firm, our Los Angeles Legionnaires disease attorney can advise on your case and identify any liable parties so you can claim the maximum damages that are justly yours. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or reach out to us online to schedule a free case evaluation.