Two people with Legionnaires’ Disease stayed at Econo Lodge, 145th Street, Ocean City, Maryland, prior to onset of illness. Microbiological evidence points to Legionella bacteria in the motel’s water system as the source of the outbreak, according to Worcester County health officials.
“With two people sickened, this is considered an outbreak,” said Fred Pritzker, an attorney who represents clients with Legionnaires’ Disease claims against hotels and motels. “Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe, often fatal, form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. The illness is contracted by breathing in water mist containing Legionella.”
“The outbreak investigation led to Econo Lodge when the second case of Legionnaires’ was reported in late August. Water samples from the motel tested positive for Legionella bacteria. This is evidence linking the illnesses with motel.”
Worcester County health officials found low levels of Legionella bacteria in the motel’s water pipes. Hotels and motels are a common source of Legionnaires’ disease. They began their investigation after two people who stayed at the hotel tested positive for Legionnaires’ Disease. The first person tested positive in July of this year; the second, on August 28. Both people sickened in the outbreak are from Maryland.
“The incubation period for Legionnaires’ Disease is from 2 to 14 days, so finding the source involves determining where the outbreak victims where during the 2 week period prior to onset of illness,” said Fred. “It takes only a few cells of Legionella to make someone sick. We recently settled cases where our clients visited a building with a contaminated water fountain. The just got near enough to inhale some mist, and they ended up with hospitalized with pneumonia.”
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Attorney Fred Pritzker represents clients with personal injury and wrongful death claims against corporate wrongdoers. The firm is one of the very few in the nation that focuses its practice on getting compensation for clients who have been sickened by dangerous pathogens like Legionella bacteria. You can click here now to contact Fred and his Legionella Team and get a free consultation regarding your Legionnaires’ Disease claim.