Redwood City Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
If you or a loved one has contracted Legionnaires’ disease, you need legal advice. Our Redwood City Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can determine if someone else is responsible for your sickness and help you hold them liable for recovering compensation for your injuries and other losses. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, mental anguish, and other losses.
How Does a Person Contract Legionnaires’ Disease?Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the legionella bacteria. The bacteria can be found in both natural and man-made structures. Legionella bacteria that is found in natural sources such as rivers and lakes do not usually cause a person to become sick. When the bacteria is found in man-made systems and structures, though, it is much more likely to cause harm. These systems can include hot tubs, decorative fountains, sinks, showers, cooling towers, and air conditioning systems.
When a person comes into contact with a contaminated water source, they may inhale or ingest droplets of contaminated water. Certain conditions can increase the chance that a water system is contained with water. These are as follows:
- Water temperatures between 68 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit
- Scale, biofilms, sludge, and rust that allow the growth of legionella bacteria
- Systems that use water that is recirculated or stored
Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious type of pneumonia that presents many symptoms. The most common of these include:
- Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
- Confusion
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Cough
- High fever
Most people will make a full recovery on their own, but between 8,000 and 18,000 cases result in hospitalization. In the most tragic of cases, the disease is fatal for one out of four people.
What to Do After Developing Legionnaires’ DiseaseWhen you are suffering from a serious illness, you may not know what to do next, particularly if you believe someone else is at fault. Legionnaires’ disease is a reportable condition, so the first thing to do is inform the California Department of Public Health. When you contact the department, inform them of any location you stayed or visited in the two weeks prior to experiencing symptoms. It is helpful to have a list of these places before contacting the Department.
If two or more cases have been reported involving the same water source, CDPH will conduct an investigation. Still, it is important that you contact a Redwood City Legionnaires’ disease attorney. A lawyer will also investigate the matter and collect evidence to prove that your injuries are due to another person’s negligence.
Our Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer in Redwood City Can Provide the Legal Representation You NeedAt Brod Law Firm, our Legionnaires’ disease attorney in Redwood City can identify the source of your sickness to determine who is liable and hold them responsible for paying the compensation you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about how we can help.