Cruise Ship Lawyers Blog
At least three people have died and 67 others were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease related to a cluster in New York City’s Harlem Neighborhood, national media reported this week.
Previous reporting showed that one person had died and at least 22 others were sick, according to the New York City Health Department. The cases, health department officials said, are linked to at least five ZIP codes in central Harlem though no issues with the buildings’ plumbing systems have been identified and residents may continue normal activities such as drinking the water, bathing, cooking and using their air conditioning.
In an earlier statement, the department said: “the remediation required by the Department has been completed for the 11 cooling towers with initial positive screening results showing the presence of Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.”
It is not expected to spread to other communities, a Health Department spokesperson told reporters with ABC News.
A cluster refers to two or more cases that occur in the same area and time frame, but without a clearly identified common source of exposure. An outbreak involves two or more cases linked by time, location and a confirmed common source of exposure
Leesfield & Partners
While many people do not know about Legionnaires’ Disease, that does not stop it from causing serious illnesses and, in some cases, death. The illness, and the bacteria that causes it, got its name from an outbreak that occurred at a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Hundreds fell ill and at least 34 people died as a result of being exposed to the Legionella bacteria that was spread through the hotel’s air conditioning system.
In decades of personal injury practice, Leesfield & Partners has represented countless victims who have suffered long-lasting effects from their exposure. People contract Legionnaires’ by inhaling water droplets contaminated by the Legionella bacteria which grows best in warm, slow-moving water. Per Florida regulations and public health standards, property owners and facility operators are required to implement proper water management practices — such as maintaining safe water temperatures, ensuring regular circulation, and using effective disinfection methods — to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria. This is required by public pools, hotels, Airbnb accommodations and cruise ships. These ships must implement similar water management plans in compliance with regulations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control. However, these steps are not always taken, and exposure is possible.
Several outbreaks of illness aboard ships have already been reported within the last year. At least two cruise ships with separate cruise lines reported outbreaks linked to the hot tubs of private passenger balconies.
On Average, Florida reports approximately 200 to 300 cases of the disease every year. In 2023, Florida reported approximately 250 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease, according to numbers from the Florida Department of Health.
In 2020, Florida accounted for nearly 60% of the country’s Legionnaires’ Disease cases. The bulk of annual cases were reported from August to October.
The severe form of pneumonia can cause flu-like symptoms such as fevers, chills, muscle aches and headaches are all initial symptoms. Issues that can arise later include shortness of breath, fatigue and vomiting. Those who are particularly susceptible to infection include older adults, smokers and those with weakened immune systems.
The firm has several ongoing cases being led by Trial Attorney Eric Shane involving Legionnaires’ Disease.
“I think that people think about drowning or getting stuck in a filter system drain or being electrocuted,” Mr. Shane previously told reporters with the Daily Business Review. “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.”
Previous 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 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.
