ALBANY, NY — Ronald J. Katter of The Katter Law Firm says that the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at an assisted living facility in Albany, New York could have been prevented.
On August 30, the Albany County Health Department reported that a Legionnaires’ outbreak at Peregrine Senior Living at Shaker in Albany, hospitalized 25 people. Four of them have died. Administrators at Peregrine noted that, since the outbreak, they have installed water filters on some of its showers and sinks so that residents can still use the bathroom. In addition, they have provided residents with bottled water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria. It grows in warm water found in water systems, cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains and plumbing systems. People contract the disease when they breathe in water vapor containing the bacteria. The CDC notes that approximately 10% of all Legionnaires’ cases are fatal.
Seniors and people living with respiratory ailments and compromised immune systems like those who reside in assisted living facilities, are particularly susceptible to contracting Legionnaires ’ disease.
In a study, the CDC found that all deficiencies associated with the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease could have been prevented by comprehensive and properly implemented water management programs. These programs include regularly cleaning and disinfecting water systems.
A facility’s failure to perform proper water system maintenance, which results in Legionnaires’ disease, may be the basis for civil and legal liability under New York law. That entitles those who were sickened with the disease to seek monetary compensation for their injuries from the facility.
“While I applaud the actions of the assisted living facility’s staff to keep its residents safe after the outbreak, they should have taken a proactive approach to make sure this didn’t happen in the first place,” Mr. Katter says. “When you have a facility that is housing the most vulnerable population, keeping the water systems clean and safe, must be priority number one.”
Mr. Katter says it is critical that anyone who experiences Legionnaires’ disease symptoms — which may include one or more of the following: headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, cough, gastrointestinal symptoms and confusion — seek immediate medical attention. “For the at-risk population, Legionnaires’ disease can be life-threatening, so, for them, time is of the essence.” Mr. Katter also urges those seeking medical attention to “tell their health providers about the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, so that they will be properly tested for it.”
Mr. Katter is an experienced attorney who has successfully represented clients, who were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease. He fights to recover the maximum amount of money to compensate them for their injuries. He has taken legal action against building owners, hospitals, and care facilities, which fail to clean and maintain their buildings’ water systems. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.
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