Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. While often associated with hotels or hospitals, cases can and do arise in workplace environments, particularly where poor water system maintenance allows bacteria to thrive. At Ison Harrison, we represent both occupational and non-occupational victims of this dangerous illness.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection that requires hospital treatment and can, in some cases, be fatal. Symptoms usually develop 2–10 days after exposure and include:

  • High fever and chills
  • Cough (often dry initially, then with phlegm)
  • Muscle aches and headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Gastrointestinal upset (e.g. nausea or diarrhoea)

The condition is treatable with antibiotics, but recovery can take weeks or months. Some sufferers develop long-term fatigue or respiratory problems.

Where and How Exposure Occurs

Legionella bacteria thrive in stagnant water at temperatures between 20°C and 45°C. Infection occurs when contaminated droplets are inhaled from:

  • Air conditioning systems
  • Industrial cooling towers
  • Hot tubs and spas
  • Showers, taps, or plumbing systems
  • Decorative fountains or sprinklers

Workplaces most at risk include factories, hospitals, care homes, gyms, hotels, and office buildings, particularly where systems are not cleaned or tested regularly.

Employer and Landlord Duties

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Approved Code of Practice L8, employers and those responsible for premises must:

  • Assess risks of Legionella
  • Monitor and maintain water systems
  • Keep records of water temperatures and inspections
  • Implement control measures and flushing regimes
  • Notify the local authority in the event of an outbreak

Failure to carry out these duties can result in a claim for negligence or breach of statutory duty.

Bringing a Claim

Legionnaires’ claims may arise in both occupational and non-occupational settings. Whether you were exposed at work, in a hospital, or during a hotel stay, you may have a valid claim if:

  • Exposure to Legionella can be linked to a specific location
  • There is evidence of poor maintenance or water hygiene
  • You were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ and required treatment

Our team can assist in obtaining expert medical evidence and environmental investigations to support your claim.

Why Choose Ison Harrison?

We have acted for individuals and groups affected by environmental and industrial illness. We can help you:

  • Pursue compensation for pain, suffering, lost earnings, and medical care
  • Identify responsible parties and assess regulatory failures
  • Recover from this serious condition with appropriate support

Contact us today if you or a loved one has suffered from Legionnaires’ disease and believe poor water safety may be to blame.

Speak to a solicitor today

To speak to a member of our specialist industrial diseases team in confidence, call 0113 284 5000 or fill in the enquiry form and we will get back to you.