Experts Representing Victims Of Previous Outbreaks In Stoke And Edinburgh

Specialist public health lawyers acting for the victims of the recent fatal Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in Edinburgh and Stoke-on-Trent have revealed their concerns regarding an outbreak of the illness identified in South Tyneside.

According to reports, three cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed.  The victims were people who worked at the Faltec Ltd factory in Boldon, with the fourth suspected case being a resident who lives close to the site. The latest person to become ill has received hospital treatment and is now recovering at home.

The North East centre of Public Health England has stated that it is working with South Tyneside Council and the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the problems, while steps have also been taken to treat potential sources of infection, such as cooling towers.

Legal experts at Irwin Mitchell have vast experience in acting for victims of illness outbreaks both in the UK and abroad, notably providing support to those affected and the families of those who died during separate Legionnaires’ outbreaks in Edinburgh and Stoke-on-Trent in 2012.

Expert Opinion

"It is very worrying to see these concerns regarding Legionnaires’ emerge in South Tyneside, but re-assuring to see that the authorities are taking urgent steps to investigate and minimise the potential risks to the public. <br/> <br/>"Through our work on outbreaks of this nature in the past, we have seen how such problems can have tragic and long-lasting consequences for those affected – so it is vital that the seriousness of these issues are not underestimated. <br/> <br/>"All of those affected by these latest problems will be keen to understand how they came to develop this illness, so it is hugely important that Public Health England and other authorities work quickly and thoroughly to learn as much as possible about the cause of the outbreak. <br/> <br/>"Any information gathered could prove vital in ensuring similar outbreaks of this nature are avoided in the future." Amandeep Dhillon - Partner