When asked to name the germiest surfaces on cruise ships, one might think about commonly touched areas such as doorknobs, stair railings or elevator buttons.
While these places have been known to transfer illness-causing germs such as norovirus — as the CDC warned earlier this year — a microbiologist has revealed a far more surprising source of contamination.
Microbiologist Jason Tetro told the Reader’s Digest that private hot tubs on ships are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. In October 2024, these private hot tubs on the balconies of guests were linked to multiple outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease on cruise ships. These outbreaks were linked back to two cruise ships on different cruise lines.
In that instance, at least 12 passengers were exposed to the disease. The cruise lines allegedly drained the water from these tubs between uses and increased cleaning and chlorine usage to kill the bacteria in response to the outbreaks. At the time of the outbreaks, the CDC said that the private hot tubs are not subject to the same maintenance requirements as public ones on board.
Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia that was first reported at a convention of the American Legion in 1976, in which nearly 200 people exhibited symptoms and 29 people died from the illness. The Legionella bacteria grow best in warm, slow-moving or stagnant water. Once infected, symptoms can mimic the flu. Fevers, chills, muscle aches and a headache are all initial symptoms. Issues that can arise later on include a shortness of breath, fatigue and vomiting. Those most at risk of infection are current and former smokers, people 50 years old or older, and those with preexisting health conditions such as chronic lung diseases, cancer or weakened immune systems.
Cruise Ship Litigation at Leesfield & Partners
As a personal injury law firm located just half an hour from PortMiami, the country’s largest cruise port, Leesfield & Partners has been retained to represent hundreds of passengers and crew injured aboard ships. Throughout the years, the firm has handled a myriad of cruise ship injury cases from medical malpractice, inadequate security and premises liability cases.
In that time, Leesfield & Partners has become a leading Legionnaires’ Disease law firm, securing multi-million dollar settlements on behalf of clients who have been injured by contracting this disease.
Eric Shane, a Trial Lawyer at the firm, has had incredible experience handling Legionnaires’ Disease cases. In his experience, as he relayed to reporters with the Daily Business Review, Legionnaires’ Disease is often overlooked. This fact, however, makes infection no less formidable. Mr. Shane has handled numerous cases in which clients have had their entire lives upturned due to the failure of resorts, public swimming pools, hotels and other public swimming accommodations to maintain a properly sanitized environment for swimmers.
“I think that people think about drowning or getting stuck in a filter system drain or being electrocuted,” Shane said. “If you polled 100 people, not one of them is going to tell you, ‘Yeah, Legionella. You’ve got to be on the lookout for that.’ We haven’t heard about this since Philadelphia. It’s not something that people think about when they’re going to enjoy themselves in a hot tub.”
Legionnaires’ Disease Cases
Mr. Shane recently settled a Legionnaires’ Disease case in which a woman contracted the disease after her stay at a Florida hotel where she regularly used a hot tub on the property. The same day as checkout, the woman began experiencing Legionnaires’ Disease symptoms. She had swelling all over her body and a fever. After doctors diagnosed her with the disease, she went into septic shock and suffered an acute kidney injury.
In an investigation, it was discovered that the hotel failed to maintain the hot tub in accordance with industry standards.
Our client continues to suffer from pain and fatigue. A $300,000 recovery amount was secured for the woman in that case.
Previously, the law firm settled two cases of Legionnaires’ Disease resulting from the same resort. The plaintiffs in those cases were unrelated and were not staying at the resort at the same time. Leesfield & Partners’ Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, along with other attorneys at the firm were able to prove that the resort did not properly maintain or sanitize water systems such as in the multiple decorative fountains featured on the property where Legionella bacteria was able to grow.
A six-figure settlement for each client was reached in those cases.
Another case in which two men were exposed to Legionella bacteria at their condominium’s spa is being handled by Mr. Shane. One of the men in that case tragically passed away. The defendant did not have an adequate water management plan prior to this incident to prevent the growth of the bacteria in the property’s water systems.
The case is ongoing.
If you or a loved one were exposed to Legionella bacteria and believe you may have a claim, don’t wait. Call a Leesfield & Partners attorney today at 800-836-6400.