Legionnaires' Disease Claims

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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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

Client Story - Frank & Patricia Standen

“I feel really lucky to be alive but the whole experience of the cruise, being airlifted from the ship and spending so much time in hospital was absolutely dreadful and really shook me up.” - Frank, client

“Legionnaires’ disease is an extremely serious disease and can, in some cases, lead to fatalities. We are delighted to have secured Frank and Patricia a settlement from Fred Olsen Cruises but it is disappointing that the cruise operator denied liability and waited until just before the case was due to go to trial to agree to settle.” – Clare Pearson, Associate Legal Executive

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Claim Compensation For Legionnaires' Disease?

If you've caught Legionnaires' disease while abroad, then you may be able to claim compensation. Sadly, the disease can sometimes be fatal, and you can claim compensation if a loved one has died from Legionnaires' too.

Because the condition is easy to prevent by following proper health and safety procedures, cases are often the result of negligence on the part of someone else.

Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious, so if you or a loved one has been diagnosed, it must have come from inhaling particles of contaminated water. This means you may be eligible for compensation.

You usually have three years from the date you developed Legionnaires' to make a claim, although this time limit may be different depending on the country you were in when you contracted the disease. Because of this, it's important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case. We'll discuss your condition, assess whether you're able to pursue compensation through the UK courts or abroad, and advise you on whether we think you'll be able to make a claim.

What Is Legionnaires' Disease?

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia, caused by inhaling water contaminated with a large amount of the bacteria Legionella. Legionella is found in very small amounts in a range of natural water sources, but when it's in the right conditions inside man-made water systems, it can easily spread and grow to dangerous levels.

Initial symptoms of the disease are similar to flu:

Headaches and muscle pain
Fever
Chills
Loss of appetite
Tiredness and exhaustion

When Legionnaires' begins to develop, symptoms become more serious, in line with other types of pneumonia:

A persistent cough with greenish, or even bloody, mucus
Difficulty breathing
Chest pains

You may also have suffered from gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Legionnaires' disease can be treated with antibiotics, but in roughly 10% of cases the condition can be fatal.

Because of the similarity of symptoms with other forms of pneumonia, many cases of Legionnaires' are not properly recognised. If you've developed the above symptoms after a stay abroad, and they can be linked to Legionnaires' disease, you may be able to claim compensation. If you have any questions, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation on your claim.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Legionnaires' Disease Compensation Claim?

Claiming compensation for something that happened while you were abroad may seem daunting because of potential language barriers and confusion over local laws. But we believe no one should be put off claiming compensation for conditions like Legionnaires', which are so easily avoidable if correct health and safety guidelines have been followed.

Our team of specialist international personal injury lawyers is the largest in the UK and we've secured over £100 million in compensation for our clients who have been injured or become ill abroad.

We have helped many clients to claim compensation after contracting Legionnaires' disease both at home and abroad. Our experience means you can trust us to get the best possible result for you.

By working with an international network of partner law firms, we're able to support you wherever in the world you need to make a claim. As your single point of contact throughout the process, we'll handle every aspect of your case for you, our advice in plain English without any legal jargon.

If you have any questions about the claims process, or how else we can help, contact us online or by phone on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case.

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