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Legionnaires' Disease Compensation

What is Legionnaires' Disease?
  About Legionnaires' Disease
Causes of Legionnaires' Disease
  How do people contract Legionnaires' Disease?
Preventing Legionnaire's Disease
  How to prevent Legionnaires' Disease
Diagnosing, Treating and Reporting Legionnaires' Disease
  What to do if you suspect Legionnaires' Disease
Making a claim after being diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease
  Legionnaires' Disease Compensation Claim Advice

What is Legionnaires' Disease?

About Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by a specific type of bacteria called legionella pneumophila.  

The illness was called 'Legionnaires' disease' because the very first case identified in 1976, was in a group of veterans called the American Legion.

Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease are uncommon but can prove fatal particularly for people at risk of contracting a lung infection (pneumonia) such as the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions such as a weakened immune system.

If you or someone you know has developed Legionnaires' disease and you would like some advice about whether a claim for compensation is possible, contact us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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Causes of Legionnaires' Disease

How do people contract Legionnaires' Disease?

Legionnaires' disease is caused by inhaling air containing tiny droplets of water infected with Legionalla pneumophila or by drinking infected water.  It is not a contagious disease which means a person suffering from Legionnaires' disease cannot pass it onto others.

Legionella pneumophila can often be found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs in very small numbers but the conditions such as the temperature of the water outdoors make it difficult for the bacteria to grow and spread and it is therefore very rare for some to contract Legionnaires' disease from these sources.

Most commonly, Legionnaires' disease is contracted from air conditioning systems, cooling towers, hot and cold water systems  and whirlpool spas.

Large buildings and those with complex water systems are most at risk such as hospitals, hotels and office blocks, therefore members of the public and workers are equally at risk.

If you have developed Legionnaires' disease and would like to find out if a personal injury claim is possible, you can reach us on 08000 224 224 or by completing one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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Preventing Legionnaire's Disease

How to prevent Legionnaires' Disease

There are a number of measures which can be taken to prevent the spread of Legionnaires' disease.  The person responsible for maintaining a premises to a safe standard such as the property owner, landlord, employer or local authority etc should:

  • ensure that the water system is inspected and cleaned at regular intervals.  Eliminating rust, algae, limescale and other organic matter will prevent the bacteria from reproducing. 
  • keep cold water below 20ºC (68ºF) and hot water above 60ºC (140ºF).  Legionalla pneumophila bacteria will not be able to reproduce in these temperatures.

If you have developed Legionnaires' disease due to someone else's negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.  To discuss your case with no obligation to instruct us, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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Diagnosing, Treating and Reporting Legionnaires' Disease

What to do if you suspect Legionnaires' Disease

The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are very similar to flu and as it is a type of pneumonia, it is easily misdiagnosed as flu or as a case of pneumonia unrelated to Legionalla pneumophila.  Only a blood test or urine test can diagnose the disease accurately, therefore if you have flu-like symptoms and have any reason to suspect you may have contracted Legionnaires' disease, you should mention it to your GP.

Legionnaires' disease is classed as a 'notifiable disease' which means that if a GP diagnoses someone with the illness, they must report it to the local authority who will investigate where the exposure to Legionalla pneumophila bacteria has occurred and take steps to ensure that no-one else is exposed.

If you have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease, you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim.  To discuss your case in more detail, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

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Making a claim after being diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' Disease Compensation Claim Advice

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease or has developed any illness or disease after being exposed to a hazardous substance, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid compensation claim. Our specialist personal injury solicitors and lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

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