September 11, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

How many of you have used Scott’s Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables? My client did, and in a lawsuit brought in federal court he is alleging he contracted Legionnaires’ disease from using the product. The evidence that has been provided so far shows that the same type of Legionella bacteria found in the bag he used was also found in his body while in the hospital. Other evidence shows that Legionnaires’ disease has been associated with manufactured soils in the United States and overseas. Yet no warnings about the dangers associated with Legionnaires’ disease existed on the bag…

August 10, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Two employees of BAMC who work in a building adjacent to the hospital tested positive for Legionella bacteria. An investigation is being conducted to determine whether or not the building these employees work in is responsible for exposing them to Legionella bacteria. Staffers have been relocated to another facility in the meantime. No patients of the medical center have been reported at this time with any illness attributable to Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria grows in water and causes illness after it becomes aerosolized and is inhaled into the lungs. Legionnaires’ disease is typically diagnosed when pneumonia is present in combination with…

August 8, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Franklin County Public health officials said both residents of the Manor at Whitehall nursing home tested positive for Legionella bacteria during July of 2017. Another test will be administered to confirm whether the residents specifically had Legionnaires’ disease, the bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. Both residents were reported to be in their 60’s, and were hospitalized for their injuries. An inspection of the facility’s plumbing, heating and cooling systems, as well as pipes and water systems was conducted to determine if the bacteria that caused the two residents to become ill came from within the nursing home. As…

July 27, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

CVPH in Plattsburgh, New York, has treated two patients with Legionnaires’ disease. It is not believed that the cases are related at this time, as the patients resided in different counties. Since the two diagnoses, the hospital has implemented that all patients presenting with pneumonia-like symptoms be tested for Legionnaires’ disease until August 13, 2017. The hospital has a program in place to prevent Legionella bacteria, and specifically contains a small level of chlorine in its water system as well as hyper-chlorinates its water twice a year. The water system is also tested every 90 days by a third party.…

July 26, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Milton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located in Northumberland, PA, went under quarantine after a resident was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The quarantine imposed will allow for employees to come and go from the facility; however, the nursing home will not be accepting new residences at this time. Legionella, the bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ disease is often more likely to be fatal in those who are smokers, people with weakened immune systems, and elderly people. If you believe you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see what we can do to help. Jules Zacher is an…

July 20, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The only common thread in the ongoing investigation of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Kennewick, Washington is a Gold’s Gym membership. Two women in their 70s and 80s were treated in the hospital this month for their illnesses with Legionnaires’ disease, and have since been discharged and are now recovering. As the investigation is still in the early stages, the cases have not been officially linked to the Kennewick Gold’s Gym as the source, but given the commonality, the gym is being investigated as possibly being responsible for the illnesses of these woman. The gym has closed down the…

July 10, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provided data that in 2015, 6,079 cases of Legionnaires’ disease occurred nationwide. Of those cases, 2,809 occurred in 20 states and New York City, and among that figure, 468 cases were possibly associated with health care facilities, while 85 of those definitely were. Of the 85 cases confirmed to be associated with health care facilities, 68 of them- or 80%- were associated with long-term care facilities, and and 15- or 18%- were associated with hospitals. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. The bacteria…

July 5, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Two inmates of the Franklin Medical Center prison hospital located at 1990 Harmon Ave in Columbus, Ohio were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Administrators at the prison have indicated they are conducting environmental tests to determine the source of the Legionella bacteria responsible for these illnesses. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria either by drinking contaminated water or breathing in air that is contaminated with an aerosolized form of the bacteria, as often seen in mists from showers or spas. Not everyone who comes in contact with the bacteria becomes ill. However, those who are more likely to suffer from Legionella-related illness…

June 26, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The 23rd Precinct at 162 E. 102nd Street in East Harlem is the common workplace to two police officers that have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The first officer fell ill with Legionnaires’ disease and was hospitalized, prompting testing of the precinct’s water. Those results were finalized earlier this month, and revealed traces of Legionella bacteria, the bacteria responsible for causing Legionnaires’ disease. The Health Department is reportedly investigating the second case of Legionnaires’ disease, but has not yet determined if the precinct’s water is responsible for this officer’s illness. Inspectors are looking towards the pipes at the station house as…

June 19, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Two people were hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease after visiting the Foothill Ranch community pool and spa located at 27021 Burbank in Foothill Ranch, California. While it was originally unclear whether or not the community pool and spa was the cause of these illnesses, testing performed by the Orange County Health Care Agency revealed that three samples from the spa tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria can be found in warm hot tub water when it is not properly cleaned or disinfected. When this water becomes aerosolized and inhaled through the lungs, a person may contract Legionnaires disease, a severe type of…