Legionnaires’ disease is on the rise, especially in Florida, and attorneys representing clients who have contracted the disease from recreational water facilities like pools and hot tubs need to be familiar with the laws and industry standards in place.

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, became well known in American households in 1976 due to an outbreak at a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. Sadly, the outbreak claimed the lives of 34 people and caused scores more to fall ill. Unlike most infectious diseases, Legionnaires’ does not spread from person to person. Rather, the disease is contracted by inhaling mist or vapor containing the Legionella bacteria—most commonly by inhaling infected aerosolized water. The symptoms can be horrifying or, in many cases fatal, including fever, muscle aches, shortness of breath, confusion, diarrhea and nausea.