Legionnaires' disease, a serious lung condition caused by infected water, is preventable with basic water management practices. If you've developed this avoidable illness while abroad, whether for work or a holiday, our lawyers could help you claim Legionnaires' disease compensation.

The disease is caused by bacteria called Legionella, which is fairly common in natural water supplies. However, when the bacteria are in the right condition to multiply, it can spread quickly and cause Legionnaires', a form of pneumonia.

There are two factors that help Legionella spread:

A water temperature between 20 and 45°C
A food source in the water for bacteria – such as limescale, rust or algae

Large buildings with more complex water systems – such as hotels, museums or spas – are at a greater risk of legionella contamination.

As the disease is usually preventable, you may be able to claim compensation if it was caused by the negligence of another party while abroad. Tour operators should ensure that hotels they use during your holiday are meeting health and safety standards, and should warn you of the risks.

Most of the international personal injury claims we handle are made in England & Wales. But in some cases it may be beneficial to make your claim abroad. We can advise you on this in a free initial consultation about making a claim.

Compensation claims in England & Wales are normally funded through a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there's nothing to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful*.

Our lawyers have helped thousands of clients successfully make international personal injury and illness claims, securing over £100 million in settlements. Call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case, or contact us online and we’ll get back to you.

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Legionnaires' Disease Claims - More Information

- How Much Compensation Can I Expect?
- How much compensation you receive after an accident or illness abroad will depend on a number of factors related to your injury or illness, its circumstances, and the support and rehabilitation you need.
  
  The amount of compensation you could claim is based on:
  - Your condition, and its severity
  - Psychological trauma experienced
  - Current and future loss of earnings if you've had to stop working in the short or long-term
  - Medical expenses you've had to or will have to pay both abroad and in the UK, as well as travel expenses to any appointments
  - Your care and support needs – both now and in the future
  - Modifications to your home
  - Mobility aids
  - The amount you had spent on your holiday or travel abroad, and the loss of enjoyment you've experienced
  - Your pain and suffering
  - Other financial loss or expense due to your injury
  For more information, call us on 0800 056 4110 and we'll be happy to discuss your options in a free initial consultation.
- What Happens When I Make A Claim?
- To make a compensation claim for an accident or illness abroad, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with us for a free initial consultation. We'll discuss the circumstances surrounding your accident or illness, advise you on whether or not we think you can claim, and whether you could benefit from a No Win No Fee arrangement.
  
  If you choose to go ahead, your claim will usually go through the following four stages:
  1. Investigation. We'll establish who's responsible for your accident or illness, and arrange for a medical examination to find out the full extent of your condition.
  2. Rehabilitation. If you have any medical care or support needs, we'll help you to access the necessary treatment and advice that you are entitled to.
  3. Compensation. We'll work out how much compensation you should get based on the severity of your injuries and your pain and suffering, any medical expenses you've had, and your ability to get back to work. We'll put this amount to those responsible, and they can either accept blame or contest the claim.
  4. Conclusion. If your opponent accepts blame, you'll be awarded compensation. If not, the case will be settled in court – although this is rare. If you do have to go to court, we'll be there support you every step of the way. If we agreed to handle your claim under a No Win No Fee arrangement, then you won't have to pay anything if you were unsuccessful.
  If you have any questions about the claims process, please contact us today on 0800 056 4110 and we'll be happy to discuss your options in a free initial consultation.
- Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim?
- Many of our cases are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk to you when making a compensation claim.
  
  At the start of your case, we'll discuss funding options with you, advising you which we think is most suitable. If you have legal expenses insurance (LEI) or are covered by a trade union policy, these may be best for you. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household, travel or car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.
  
  If we think you're best supported by a No Win No Fee agreement, we'll explain the process clearly. You'll only have to pay anything if your claim is successful – even then your opponent will pay most of our fees, with the remaining costs coming out of your compensation settlement.
  
  Please visit our No Win No Fee page for more information on how it works.
- Can I Claim In The UK?
- Even if your accident or illness occurred abroad, you can often make a claim here in the UK, though this will vary depending on your circumstances. For example, if you suffered an accident or illness while staying in a hotel as part of a package holiday, you should be able to make a claim against the tour operator here in the UK.
  
  You can also usually claim in the UK if you’re claiming against an individual insurer or employer that is based in the UK, or a business or insurer based in the EU. The law around compensation is different in each country, so we will consider where it would be best to make your claim in order to get the best possible result for you.
  
  If you do have to make a claim abroad, there’s nothing to worry about as we have years of experience in helping clients to claim in more than 80 countries around the world. We work with an international network of law firms to represent and support our clients and their families when they need to claim, no matter which country the accident or illness occurred in. Most claims are settled out of court, so it’s unlikely that you will need to travel abroad for a court case. If this is necessary in your case, we will support you every step of the way.
  
  If you have any questions or concerns about making a claim abroad, contact us on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation. We'll be able to advise you on your options, and talk you through the process.
- Meet The Experts
- Our personal injury team deals with thousands of successful claims each year, and our award-winning lawyers are recognised as leaders in their fields.
  
  Meet our team of accident and illness abroad lawyers.

I am relieved that our legal battle is finally over. Our holiday was a nightmare and we were so disappointed. We’re glad Irwin Mitchell has managed to achieve a successful outcome for us”

David, client