If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, and you believe the infection was caused by contaminated water at a hotel, hospital, apartment building, or public facility, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
Property owners and facility managers have a legal duty to maintain clean water systems and protect guests, patients, and tenants from preventable exposure to harmful bacteria, such as Legionella.
At Third Coast Lawyers, we represent individuals and families across Wisconsin who have suffered from serious illness or lost someone due to Legionnaires’ disease.
These cases often involve complex evidence, delayed diagnosis, and significant long-term health impacts.
Our firm collaborates with infectious disease specialists and environmental experts to determine where the exposure occurred and identify who is responsible.
If negligence played a role in your illness, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical costs, lost income, and more. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we win your case.
Legionnaires’ disease is not just rare—it’s underreported and often misdiagnosed. For victims, that means delayed treatment and an uphill battle for justice.
Here’s what you need to know before pursuing a claim.
Legionnaires’ disease is a dangerous type of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. People become infected by inhaling small droplets of water—often in mist form—that contain the bacteria. It cannot be passed from person to person, which makes identifying the contaminated water source crucial to any legal case.
The disease progresses quickly. What starts as fatigue and a mild cough can rapidly escalate into high fever, chest pain, confusion, and breathing difficulty.
In Wisconsin, the Department of Health Services confirmed 195 cases in 2024, many of which required hospitalization.
Elderly individuals, immunocompromised patients, and those with chronic lung conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Without legal intervention, victims often face skyrocketing medical costs, missed work, and long-term respiratory issues—all without clear accountability.
Legionnaires’ disease cases require far more than a medical diagnosis. Establishing a legal case involves proving the source of exposure, documenting negligence, and countering the defensive tactics employed by property owners and insurance carriers.
That’s where experienced legal counsel becomes critical.
Our attorneys collaborate with infectious disease specialists, environmental health engineers, and industrial hygienists to identify the source of contamination.
We examine maintenance logs, health inspection records, and compliance failures to determine who knew or should have been aware of the risk.
Without legal pressure, negligent parties often deny involvement or quietly settle without disclosing the full extent of the problem.
If you’ve suffered from Legionnaires’ disease or lost a loved one to the infection, pursuing legal action may be the only way to secure compensation and prevent future outbreaks.
Unsure where you were exposed? We’ll investigate for free and help you understand your legal rights before it’s too late—contact us today.
Many victims have no idea where they were exposed. That’s because Legionella thrives in complex water systems that look clean from the outside, but are breeding grounds inside.
Public accommodations and healthcare facilities are among the most common sources of Legionella outbreaks.
These buildings often have older water systems, inconsistently maintained plumbing, and hot water tanks that fall below CDC-recommended temperatures.
In Wisconsin, where long winters lead to fluctuating indoor heating needs, warm and stagnant water can become a hidden hazard. Hospitals and nursing homes, in particular, serve vulnerable populations.
When they fail to implement routine water management plans, they put patients, residents, and staff at risk.
Large commercial buildings often utilize cooling towers in their HVAC systems, which release vapor into the air. Without proper disinfection and maintenance, these systems can aerosolize contaminated water into public spaces.
Similarly, hot tubs, steam rooms, and gym showers provide warm, moist environments ideal for bacterial growth.
Even a 10-minute soak in a poorly maintained spa can result in infection, especially if the system lacks routine chlorination or is shared among many users.
Not all exposure happens in public spaces. Apartment complexes, condominiums, and office buildings may have neglected plumbing that fosters Legionella growth.
Infrequently used fixtures, unflushed pipes, or improperly set water heaters are common culprits.
If you live or work in a facility where others have fallen ill—or if an outbreak has been reported—legal action may be necessary to protect your rights and ensure remediation.
Legionnaires’ lawsuits often involve more than one negligent party. Identifying all those responsible is essential to securing full compensation.
Under Wisconsin premises liability law, property owners and operators must ensure their buildings are safe and regularly maintained.
That includes their water systems. Failure to inspect, test, or remediate known risks can result in legal liability for resulting illnesses.
Many facilities outsource plumbing and water safety management. If third-party contractors neglected their duties—such as flushing systems, monitoring temperatures, or performing Legionella testing—they too can be held liable.
These vendors often play a crucial yet often hidden role in outbreak prevention.
Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and hotels must meet heightened standards of care due to their vulnerable populations and public access.
When they ignore CDC guidelines, fail to conduct risk assessments, or delay mitigation efforts during known outbreaks, they may be civilly liable for resulting harm.
Our legal team investigates every potential actor involved because Legionella doesn’t grow on its own. It thrives where people stop paying attention, and we make sure those people are held accountable.
Hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease? You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills and missed work—speak with our attorneys now.
Victims often wonder if their illness qualifies for a lawsuit. Below are key legal categories that may apply depending on where and how the exposure occurred.
In some instances, a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose Legionnaires’ disease—or a delay in administering the proper treatment—can result in worsened outcomes, including permanent damage or death.
When physicians overlook symptoms or hospitals fail to report outbreaks in a timely manner, they may be held accountable through a malpractice claim.
Many claims stem from a property’s failure to maintain safe water systems. Under Wisconsin’s premises liability laws, building owners must prevent foreseeable harm.
If violations of public health codes contributed to the spread of Legionella, your case could involve multiple forms of negligence.
If a loved one died due to Legionnaires’ disease, their estate may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Compensation could cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional damages for surviving family members.
These cases often require swift legal action to preserve records and witness statements.
Legionnaires’ disease often results in long hospital stays, extensive recovery periods, and emotional trauma. Here’s what victims may be eligible to recover through a civil lawsuit.
This includes ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, ICU stays, diagnostic testing, physical rehabilitation, and medications.
For many survivors, follow-up care may be required for years due to long-term lung damage.
Time away from work, missed business opportunities, and reduced future earning capacity can all be claimed. Some victims never fully return to their previous jobs due to lingering health effects.
Beyond the physical toll, Legionnaires’ can lead to psychological injuries such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or the loss of daily independence. These are recognized forms of non-economic damages in Wisconsin.
For families who lost a loved one, compensation may include funeral and burial costs, as well as legal damages for loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support. These wrongful death claims also send a message that preventable outbreaks carry real human costs.
Many clients worry the legal process will be too complicated. We break it down step by step so you can feel informed and in control from day one.
The first step in any case is confirming a valid diagnosis. Our team collaborates with infectious disease specialists to document symptoms, establish timelines, and assess the severity of the infection.
This helps link your illness directly to a known or suspected source of exposure.
We immediately begin a thorough investigation of the suspected property. This includes collecting water samples, reviewing inspection records, examining maintenance logs, and identifying breakdowns in water system management. Early evidence collection is essential.
Once we’ve identified the responsible parties, we draft and file legal claims under appropriate civil statutes.
We then negotiate with insurance companies or property owners to reach a settlement that reflects the full extent of your damages.
Most cases are resolved through negotiated settlements, but we prepare every case for trial from the outset.
If fair compensation is not offered, we are prepared to present your case in court, utilizing the expertise of medical experts and environmental engineers.
Don’t let property owners avoid accountability. Our legal team builds strong cases that get results—schedule your free consultation today.
Legal claims don’t happen in a vacuum—every successful case is built on knowing the law and enforcing it before key evidence disappears.
In Wisconsin, facilities are required to meet water safety standards under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 382, which governs plumbing systems, and DHS 83, which outlines infection control protocols in residential care facilities.
When outbreaks occur, these codes serve as the foundation for proving negligence, especially when violations or maintenance lapses are documented.
Time matters. Under Wis. Stat. § 893.54, individuals have three years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. In wrongful death cases, families typically have three years from the date of death.
Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to recover damages entirely, so early legal action is vital.
Legionnaires’ disease is a reportable condition in Wisconsin, meaning that healthcare providers and facilities are required to notify the Department of Health Services.
However, facilities don’t always preserve inspection logs or maintenance records willingly.
Our legal team issues subpoenas promptly to secure water testing results, staff logs, and facility communication records before they are destroyed.
Not all firms understand the science behind waterborne outbreaks. Fewer still know how to build airtight legal claims rooted in biology, epidemiology, and civil liability.
These are not simple personal injury cases. Legionnaires’ litigation demands a hybrid approach—one that combines courtroom strategy with expertise in environmental health.
Our team includes infectious disease consultants, pulmonologists, building engineers, and microbiologists who help trace bacterial growth and pinpoint exposure sources.
From partnering with Wisconsin DHS officials to leveraging private epidemiologists, our investigative network spans both regulatory and independent experts.
We know how to reconstruct past exposures—even in cases where outbreaks were never made public.
We understand the emotional toll of severe illness or sudden loss. That’s why our attorneys prioritize transparency, compassion, and client control at every step.
There’s zero pressure to file or settle, and everything begins with a respectful, confidential conversation about your options.
You deserve answers, not silence. If you or a loved one was infected, take the first step toward justice by calling our Wisconsin team today.
What is Legionnaires’ disease, and how is it contracted?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is not spread person-to-person.
Can I sue for Legionnaires’ disease in Wisconsin?
Yes. If exposure occurred due to negligence—such as poorly maintained plumbing, HVAC systems, or hot tubs—you may file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Who can be held liable in a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit?
Building owners, maintenance contractors, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, and water treatment providers can all be held liable if they fail to take adequate measures to prevent exposure.
What compensation is available in a Legionnaires’ lawsuit?
Victims can recover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, long-term disability costs, and—if fatal—funeral expenses and wrongful death damages.
How long do I have to file a Legionnaires’ disease claim in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law generally gives you 3 years from diagnosis or date of death to file a claim. Don’t wait—early evidence preservation is critical.
How do lawyers prove a Legionnaires’ disease exposure case?
Attorneys use medical records, expert analysis, water testing, inspection reports, and compliance violations to link your illness to a specific location or outbreak.
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