Discovered in 1976 in the wake of an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, Legionnaire’s disease is often called a silent killer. The bacteria that causes it, legionella, is in freshwater supplies all over the world. In the United States, the bacteria are controlled by strict water treatment standards. When water is properly processed, and filtered, the chance for infection is limited. Assuming everything is in order, a San Francisco Legionnaire’s disease outbreak is unlikely.
However, the outbreak in Philadelphia was ultimately possible because things were not in order. The cooling tower in the hotel’s air conditioning system was operating at a temperature that allowed the bacteria to breed. These bacteria passed through the air vents of hotel rooms. In the end, 211 people were infected, and 29 died. Worldwide, health and safety regulations were passed to ensure AC systems were safe.
Does the threat of a San Francisco Legionnaire’s disease outbreak exist?
As the bacteria is found almost anywhere in the US, the short answer is yes.
The real question is why these outbreaks can even happen at all. With the correct water treatment facilities and with regular maintenance, the bacteria can be controlled. And it is most of the time. Outbreaks that do occur in the US tend affect smaller numbers of people.
However, there is a disturbing trend of neglect involved in several these outbreaks.
In 2015, a 7-month-old baby died in the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. It was two weeks after the baby received a bone marrow transplant, and the hospital report claimed the baby had died to complications after the procedure. The real cause was that the baby had contracted Legionnaire’s disease. The bacteria was later detected in shower head of the room the baby had been placed in.
It was later revealed that two other babies had died in the hospital from the same disease. Had more thorough measure been taken to keep the water supply filtered and clean, the death in 2015 could have been prevented.
In the same year, another outbreak in the San Quentin prison was traced to its air conditioning system’s cooling towers. Yet another outbreak, this one in New York, killed 12 people and infected 100 others . Again, the air conditioning cooling towers were responsible.
Penney and Associates can help San Francisco Legionnaire’s disease victims!
If all proper care is taken in handling water treatment, the bacteria has proven to be easily controlled. When this doesn’t happen, we have seen the consequences. Penney and Associates attorneys have personally represented victims affected by this disease. We have seen those in authority deny their involvement in these outbreaks and deaths.
If you are in the San Francisco area, and have been diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease, you need legal assistance. Your sickness could be the result of neglect that could have controlled the bacteria responsible. Call Penney and Associates today, and let us fight for the fair compensation you and your loved ones deserve.