Legal-Bay reports that death toll from Legionnaires' disease outbreak in South Bronx rises to 7

Legal-Bay LLC, The Lawsuit Settlement Funding Company, reports that in the tragic Legionnaires' disease outbreak sweeping the South Bronx, 81 cases have been reported as of now, with a total of 7 people dead as a result. According to NYC health officials, 81 cases have been reported in total, with 64 of those requiring hospitalization, and the death roll has recently risen to 7. Fox News says that of those who have been hospitalized, 28 have already been discharged, and officials said the 7 individuals who died as a result of the disease "were all older and had other health problems."

Residents should be aware if they feel that they have been exposed to contamination; some symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches, and the disease is "caused by water which has been contaminated with a certain bacteria being inhaled into the lungs." The bacteria which contaminates the water, the legionella bacteria, first were discovered at a Bronx hotel recently this month as well as in equipment in a hospital. According to officials, the likely cause of the outbreak has been traced to cooling towers that can release mist, of which 5 tested positive for the legionella bacteria out of the 17 that were tested, and they also said that all 5 of those towers have since been decontaminated. Although Legionnaires' disease can be easily diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, people with other medical conditions, or middle-aged and older people, as well as smokers or people with lung disease or weakened immune systems, are at high risk.

This isn't the only contaminated water outbreak in recent history. Earlier this year, a tentative settlement was reached in a contaminated water lawsuit in East Orange and South Orange, New Jersey (NJ). The lawsuit was filed by a former employee of East Orange Water Commission, claiming that the commission's former executive director and former assistant executive director "schemed to hide the water contamination," according to nj.com, and both men were indicted in February of 2013 on criminal charges related to the scheme in question. Employees aware of companies hiding water contamination have rights to file Qui Tam or Whistle blower lawsuits to ensure that public safety is protected.

Patty Kirby, COO and Head of Client Relations, commented on the recent outbreak in the South Bronx, "Anytime you see wrongful deaths from personal injury claims involving contaminated water raises serious concerns on how deep the problem can be. Even long hospital stays could result in serious lawsuits being filed against the hotels or other public authorities, depending on where the liability ultimately falls. We have funded many contaminated water cases in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and California, resulting in large settlements and/or verdict on appeal awards. It is clear that the Bronx situation is not an isolated one, and it's important for anyone who feels that they have been contaminated to seek a free legal consultation immediately."

SOURCE Legal-Bay LLC