We have successfully recovered compensation for seventeen people who contracted Legionnaires' Disease after visiting the JTF Warehouse in Stoke-On-Trent.
Our clients all visited the Stoke branch of the discount retailer during July 2012. After their visit they fell ill with various flu-like symptoms, including nausea and headaches, fever and fatigue, diarrhoea and dry coughing. Some developed chest infections and suffered from aching muscles and confusion.
These symptoms are the effect of Legionnaires' Disease, a serious lung infection usually caused by proximity to contaminated water. Infection can be prevented by good maintenance of water systems, but once contracted, the damage can be severe, even deadly.
The Outbreak Report from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirmed that the likely cause of the infection at the JTF Warehouse was a spa pool that was on display. The company admitted responsibility for the outbreak and we secured a total of over £250,000 for our clients, with some settlements in excess of £35,000.
Sadly, three of those who visited the warehouse died as a result of their illness. The settlements we secured for these claims were for their bereaved families.
Jatinder Paul, a specialist Personal Injury lawyer in our Birmingham office, represented the claim. He said: “We are pleased to have recovered damages for these clients who suffered terribly as a result of this outbreak. Some of our clients continue to suffer as a result of the illness they contracted at the JTF Warehouse.”
Rachel Griffin’s father Richard was among those who died as a result of this outbreak. She said: “I would like to thank you for everything you have done for us at Irwin Mitchell and especially for all of your hard work in getting our claim through in such a short time scale. My family and I really appreciate it.”
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