Litigation involving claims of personal injury due to waterborne pathogens and, most notably, Legionella bacteria concerns commercial and residential property owners, hotel owners, cruise lines, medical facilities and others. While there are no governmental standards for allowable levels of Legionella bacteria in water supplies and ventilation equipment, suits are filed with increasing frequency for alleged outbreaks and even for sporadic cases of upper respiratory illnesses alleged to have been caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria.
It’s Complicated
The subject is fraught with misunderstanding and misdiagnosis. The scientific community has grappled with means of controlling Legionella proliferation in water distribution and ventilation systems. Products and devices have been developed and marketed to control Legionella growth with varying degrees of efficacy. Diagnostic criteria are periodically revised. Medical practitioners often misapply laboratory testing to diagnose Legionella-based illness.
Experience in Legionella Litigation
Attorneys at Archer Norris have significant expertise in illnesses known to be caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria and the analysis of outbreaks of the disease in a variety of settings. We have tried complex high stakes cases, such as our recent defense directed verdict in a six-month, multi-plaintiff Legionnaires case on behalf of a large Southern California commercial property owner.
Extensive Knowledge Delivers Results for Our Clients
Archer Norris litigators involved in the defense of Legionella-based bodily injury claims have immersed themselves in the science associated with Legionella bacteria and Legionella-based illnesses. Tutored by some of the nation’s top experts, we have a comprehensive understanding of the sources, prevalence, and control of Legionella bacteria. We also garnered state-of-the art knowledge about diagnostic criteria, significance of species differentiation, treatment and after effects of resulting illness. Extensive familiarity with the scientific foundations of Legionella-based diseases is the key to our attorneys’ ability to effectively and efficiently defend against these cases.
Capitalize on Scientific and Technical Resources
Through our experience in Legionella-related litigation we developed extensive expert resources. We worked with and gained the respect of some of the top specialists in the United States in the subjects of epidemiology, microbiology, allergy and immunology, pulmonology and infectious disease. Our offices possess the technology and knowledge to efficiently manage voluminous records, database documents, and prepare professional trial exhibits in-house.
How We Work
We collaboratively strategize with our clients. Most recently, we worked with sophisticated, experienced property owners whose knowledge and experience complemented our expertise. Such synergies allow us to pinpoint significant weaknesses in plaintiffs’ cases. Challenging plaintiffs’ ability to meet their burden of proof is the key to our success. Facility with the subject matter leads to precise and focused strategies and shortens the path to successful resolution through appropriate settlement or trial.
For more information, please contact Jonathan Bacon, Joseph Macha, or Trajan Perez.