Legionella Disease Linked to Wilson Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
The outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease at Wilson Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center sickened 5 people. The Wilson County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating.
Attorney Fred Pritzker 1-888-377-8900
“These illnesses were caused by breathing in Legionella bacteria in water mist or vapor,” said Fred Pritzker, a lead lawyer for our Legionnaires’ Disease personal injury and wrongful death cases. “When Legionella bacteria take hold in the lungs, the result is a severe form of pneumonia. Because of the severity of the illness and how easily it can spread, the CDC is often involved in outbreak investigations.”
The contaminated water could have been breathed in during a shower, bath, or even while running a sink faucet. It only takes a few cells to cause illness. To prevent further illness, the water lines at the facility were cleaned. Further testing will need to be done to make sure the Legionella bacteria were killed.
Who is Legally Responsible for an Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease?
The owner of the building whose water is the source of the outbreak is legally responsible, meaning the owner (generally a corporation or other business entity) can be sued for compensation. In cases where a the source of the illnesses is a nursing home, the owner of the nursing home is legally responsible.
If the nursing home hires an outside company to maintain its water systems and do preventative maintenance, that company can also be sued for compensation.
You can call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) to contact Fred Pritzker and his Bad Bug Law Team for a free consultation.
