In San Diego County, there have been 15 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease and three fatalities so far this year. But have more cases gone unreported?
Dr. Brad Perkins thinks that might be the case. During his time at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Perkins led the agency’s investigation of the September 2001 anthrax attacks, he is now the chief medical officer at Karius, a company that uses molecular diagnostics to detect infectious diseases.
Do you need a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer?
People get Legionnaires‘ disease, a severe, often fatal, form of pneumonia when they inhale water droplets that are contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is not contagious. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, headache, fever, and muscle aches.
Common sources of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks include fountains, hot tubs, and the plumbing systems of commercial buildings. Water management plans that can prevent the overgrowth of Legionella are considered an industry standard for large buildings and healthcare settings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Legionnaires’ Disease Deaths in San Diego County
Benjamin Smith, a 42-year-old plumber and father of three from Santee died of Legionnaires’s disease on March 1. Smith contracted the infection in February and spent two weeks in the ICU before succumbing to the infection. His wife Jessa told 10News San Diego that she is trying to find out how her husband contracted the disease.
Three days after Smith’s passing, Professor Michael J. Buono, who contracted Legionnaires’ disease at San Diego State University died. He was the only person on the campus with a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease after a problem was discovered in February.
Mission Valley Case
Also in February, water tests at a government building, located at 7575 Metropolitan Drive in Mission Valley, revealed the presence of Legionella. But the building only closed this week after someone there developed Legionnaires’ disease, according to a 10News report.
Contact an Experienced Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
Pritzker Hageman is one of the few law firms in the country with experience representing clients in Legionnaires’ disease lawsuits. Our Legionnaires’ lawyers represent Legionella outbreak victims and their families who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one. For a free consultation with the Pritzker Hageman Legionnaires’ Legal Team, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.