New York Legionnaires’ Disease FAQs: Answers to the Most Common Questions
Trusted Answers From Experienced New York Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyers
A diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease often raises urgent questions. Where was I exposed? Could someone have prevented this? Do I have a legal claim? How much time do I have to act? Understanding your rights is an important first step after a serious illness. At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we have helped victims and families throughout New York navigate the complex medical and legal issues surrounding Legionnaires’ disease. The answers below address many of the questions we hear most often. Every situation is different, however, so we encourage you to speak with an experienced attorney about your specific circumstances.
If your question is not answered here, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation. There is no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of bacterial pneumonia caused by inhaling microscopic water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Unlike many infectious illnesses, it is generally not spread from person to person. Most exposures occur through contaminated building water systems.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?
Common symptoms include high fever, chills, persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms often resemble severe pneumonia and require prompt medical evaluation.
Who is most at risk?
Although anyone can develop Legionnaires’ disease, adults over 50, current and former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, weakened immune systems, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, organ transplant recipients, nursing home residents, and hospital patients are at a greater risk of developing severe illness.
Where are people commonly exposed to Legionella?
Legionella bacteria are most often associated with large or complex water systems. Common exposure locations include hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, cooling towers, decorative fountains, health clubs, universities, and certain government buildings.
Can a hotel, hospital, nursing home, or apartment building be held responsible?
Yes. Property owners and operators have a duty to maintain their water systems reasonably. If negligent maintenance allowed Legionella bacteria to grow and caused your illness, the responsible parties may be legally liable. Depending on the circumstances, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, landlords, property managers, maintenance companies, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors, water treatment companies, and others may share responsibility.
Do I need to know exactly where I was exposed before contacting an attorney?
No. Many victims are initially unsure where they contracted Legionnaires’ disease. An experienced attorney can investigate your medical records, travel history, workplace, environmental evidence, and public health investigations to identify the most likely source of exposure and determine who may be responsible.
What compensation may be available?
Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and, in fatal cases, wrongful death damages. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the illness, the strength of the liability evidence, permanent injuries, and other case-specific factors.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
New York law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death claims. The applicable deadline depends on numerous factors, including whether a government entity is involved and the nature of the claim. Because missing a filing deadline may permanently bar your case, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
What evidence should I preserve?
If possible, keep copies of your medical records, hospital discharge papers, diagnostic testing, medical bills, insurance information, hotel confirmations, travel itineraries, receipts, work schedules, photographs, and any correspondence related to your illness. These documents may become valuable evidence during an investigation.
Can I still recover compensation if I had pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes. Many Legionnaires’ disease victims have underlying health conditions that increase their susceptibility to infection. Having a pre-existing condition does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation if another party’s negligence caused or contributed to your illness.
Will my case go to trial?
Many Legionnaires’ disease cases resolve through settlement negotiations. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP is fully prepared to take your case to trial and advocate for your rights before a jury.
How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Nothing upfront. We handle Legionnaires’ disease cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
Legionnaires’ disease litigation requires attorneys who understand the medical science, engineering issues, and legal principles involved in proving negligence. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP combines decades of personal injury litigation experience with the resources necessary to investigate complex Legionella exposure claims.
Our attorneys work closely with infectious disease physicians, epidemiologists, microbiologists, environmental engineers, and other experts to identify the source of exposure, preserve critical evidence, and pursue maximum compensation. We offer free consultations, bilingual legal services, trial-ready representation, and personalized attention to every client.
From our offices in Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County, we proudly represent Legionnaires’ disease victims throughout New York City and across the state.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, do not wait to learn about your legal rights. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today for a free consultation.
Don’t Be a Victim Twice.