Santa Cruz Legionnaires' Disease Lawyer

Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia that results in nearly 10,000 hospitalizations every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People contract legionnaires' disease in a number of different places, including hospitals, hotels, hot tubs, and nursing homes. Still, most cases have one thing in common - the disease is entirely preventable. Water management plans should be created so there is not an overgrowth of legionella, the bacteria that causes the sickness. Water management plans are one of the industry standards for products such as water cooling towers and hot tubs. When a plan is not in place and procedures are not properly followed, people become exposed to legionella, and they can become quite sick. If you have suffered harm, our Santa Cruz legionnaires' disease lawyer can help you claim damages for your losses.

Legionnaires' disease, also known as legionella pneumonia or legionellosis, is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria. Pontiac disease, also known as Pontiac fever, is another type of infection caused by bacteria, although it is not as severe. Legionella bacteria multiply rapidly in warm water and are found in both indoor and outdoor environments. The most common areas where the legionella bacteria is found include cooling towers, hot tubs, hot water tanks, decorative fountains, and the plumbing systems of large buildings.

People suffer from legionnaires' disease after they breathe in vapor, mist, or other types of water droplets that are contaminated with legionella. Once consumed, it usually takes between two and 10 days for a person to start showing symptoms, although it can take up to 16 days. Approximately 10% of cases are fatal for those who become sick. If you have become sick due to a property owner's negligence, contact a legionnaires' disease attorney in Santa Cruz for help.

Although the majority of people who are exposed to the legionella bacteria will make a full recovery, if they become sick at all, the sickness can also cause life-threatening complications. The most common of these are as follows:

• Respiratory failure: The odds of recovering from legionnaires' disease once a person goes into respiratory failure are low. Respiratory failure will start to occur when the respiratory system is significantly damaged, such as when there is substantial oxygen loss in the arteries or mechanical changes in the lungs.
• Septic shock: Sepsis is an infection that occurs in a person's bloodstream. It can result in a person's organs failing, which is often fatal.
• Kidney failure: The kidneys can no longer effectively eliminate excess waste and blood when they are affected by sepsis. When there is a high level of waste and blood in the system, it can be fatal.
• Endocarditis: When pneumonia becomes septic, it can damage the inner lining of the heart, known as endocarditis. The heart valves can become significantly damaged in these cases.

The above is, sadly, only a few of the complications caused by legionnaires' disease.

If you or someone you love has become sick after being exposed to the legionella bacteria, you need sound legal advice. At Brod Law Firm, our Santa Cruz legionnaires' disease attorney can answer your questions, determine who is liable for causing you harm and hold them liable for paying the full settlement you justly deserve. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help.