Numerous Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease Across U.S. Depict Lack of Knowledge About This Preventable Disease
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) November 13, 2013 -- Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially deadly form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria frequently found in water. People can contract this illness when hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and other large facilities do not properly maintain their water systems. Legionella can enter the body when contaminated water vapor is breathed into the lungs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013).
There have been multiple outbreaks and sporadic cases across the United States in the past few months.
Currently, there are 14 confirmed cases in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Florence, Alabama connected to the Glenwood Nursing Home; one of the patients from the outbreak died from her illness (Shoals Insider, 2013). There are also six confirmed cases in an outbreak at the Integrated Health Campus in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia-based Jules Zacher is representing one patient connected to this outbreak (Sheehan, 2013).
Further, there is an ongoing criminal investigation regarding the Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System due to an outbreak in which at least five fatalities and 16 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease occurred (Smeltz, 2013).
About Jules Zacher, PC:
We are a law firm representing victims nationally. Currently, we are working on numerous Legionnaires’ disease cases across the country in Southern California, Las Vegas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York City. We have also had cases in Florida, Maryland, and Arizona.
Legionnaires’ disease is an entirely preventable illness; our goal is to hold facilities (i.e. hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) responsible for the unnecessary illnesses and deaths that resulted from poor water system treatment. It is our hope that they will take greater care and utilize appropriate preventative measures so that future guests or patients do not contract Legionnaires’ disease.
To read more about Legionnaires’ disease, please visit the Journal of Legionella and the Law at http://www.LegionLawJournal.com.
Please also visit our legal website to see the blog and read updates about the firm at http://www.LegionnaireLawyer.com.
Contact:
Jules Zacher
215-988-0160
ZacherLaw(at)gmail(dot)com
LegionnaireLawyer.com
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Legionella (Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac Fever). Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/index.html
Sheehan, D. (2013, October 30). Six Legionnaires’ disease cases tied to Lehigh County outpatient center. The Morning Call. Retrieved from: http://articles.mcall.com/2013-10-30/news/mc-lehigh-county-legionairres-outbreak-20131030_1_legionnaires-health-department-disease-cases
Smeltz, A. (2013, November 4). Outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease destroyed vets’ trust in VA system. Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved from: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/5002382-74/system-pittsburgh-legion#axzz2jnTB1dad
Staff Reports. (2013, October 24). No new cases of Legionella pneumonia reported. Shoals Insider. Retrieved from: http://shoalsinsider.com/no-new-cases-of-legionella-pneumonia-reported-p4478-1.htm
Jules Zacher, Jules Zacher, PC, http://www.legionnairelawyer.com/, 215-988-0160, [email protected]
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