Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
At least four people have died as the result of injuries related to flesh-eating bacteria in 2025, according to reporting from local media.
The data, which comes from the Florida Department of Health, was updated on Friday, July 11, and shows that at least one person died in each of the following counties:
- Bay County
- Broward County
- Hillsborough
- John’s County
In all, there have been 11 cases in 2025. In 2024, the data showed, there were 19 deaths and 82 infections. Last year saw the highest number of deaths from flesh-eating bacteria since at least 2016. Researchers attributed the “unusual increase” to the effects of Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 19 people — 12 of them in hard-hit Pinellas County.
Vibrio vulnificus is an infection resulting from the naturally occurring bacteria. Infections can occur in one of two ways — eating raw or undercooked shellfish, or by exposing open wounds to seawater or seafood containing the bacteria.
Those infected with the bacteria via food could experience vomiting diarrhea and abdominal pain. Those who are infected via an open wound can experience skin breakdown and ulcers. If the bacteria invades the bloodstream, it can cause a severe and life-threatening illness. Data shows that it is fatal to about 50% of those whose bloodstreams are effected.
Those with weakened immune systems, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney or liver disease are at a higher risk for severe infections and complications, according to the FDOH. Those with these pre-existing conditions are about 80 times more likely to develop v. vulnificus bloodstream infections.
While infections are rare, they are more likely to occur during the warmer months when water temperatures are higher.
Leesfield & Partners
With offices in places like Key West, Orlando and Miami, Leesfield & Partners attorneys have built an incredible track record over 49 years when it comes to representing clients against vacation rentals, hotels and cruise ships. In its Resort Torts practice area, which refers to injuries and wrongful death claims taking place at a resort or vacation destination or because of the negligence of employees or managing staff, Leesfield & Partners attorneys have seen it all. From violent assaults taking place in a Key West hotel’s parking garage to painful slip and falls and infections of Legionnaires’ Disease.
Given Florida’s status as a primary vacation destination — famous for its warm weather, beaches and recreational activities on the water — state and local safety and emergency management agencies remain acutely aware of the risks posed by v. vulnificus. This potentially deadly bacteria is on the radar of public health officials, particularly during the summer months when both water temperatures and tourist numbers peak.
In a recent case involving a flesh-eating bacteria, Trial Attorneys Evan Robinson and Eric Shane secured a substantial recovery amount. The client in this case suffered tremendous and painful injuries as the result of being exposed to this bacteria.
Other Disease-Related and Medical Malpractice Cases
Previously, Mr. Shane settled a case on behalf of a woman who contracted Legionnaires’ Disease after a stay at a Florida hotel. The woman in that case routinely used the hot tub during her stay and began experiencing symptoms the day she checked out. Her symptoms included body swelling and fever. As a result of her infection, the woman went into septic shock and was also diagnosed with acute kidney failure.
Records show that the hotel failed to maintain minimum chlorine levels and violated other industry standards. A six-figure settlement amount was secured for the woman in that case.
In 2023, the firm settled two back-to-back cases of the disease on two unrelated clients at the same resort. One client is a Florida native while the other was visiting the area from Maryland. Both went to the hospital within days of leaving the resort with symptoms that included body soreness, fever, fatigue and difficulty breathing before they tested positive for Legionnaires’ Disease.
In those cases, two six-figure settlements were secured for the clients.
Mr. Shane is handling an ongoing case involving two long-time friends from Canada who contracted Legionnaires’ Disease from the same South Florida residential complex. The two had used the property’s whirlpool spa before exhibiting symptoms and a later diagnosis of Legionnaires’ Disease.
As a result of exposure to the Legionella bacteria, one of the men died. The complex did not have a water management plan to prevent the growth of the bacteria, leaving these men and other residents vulnerable to contracting the disease.
In an article from the Daily Business Review, Mr. Shane expressed that most people discount the risk of Legionnaires’ Disease or are not aware it altogether.
“If you polled 100 people, not one of them is going to tell you, ‘Yeah, Legionella. You’ve got to be on the lookout for that,’” Mr. Shane said. “We haven’t heard about this since Philadelphia. It’s not something that people think about when they’re going to enjoy themselves in a hot tub.”
The firm previously handled a devastating case on behalf of a patient whose cancer doctors failed to diagnose. That case resulted in a recovery of over $3.6 million.
In a cruise ship medical malpractice case that resulted in the multi-digital and feet amputations of a 9-month-old due to a medical staff’s failure to diagnose and treat meningitis, Leesfield & Partners obtained a multi-million recovery for the family.
The firm also handled another case against a hospital who failed to diagnose a patient’s subarachnoid brain hemorrhage. This hemorrhage is a bleeding in the space between the brain and the subarachnoid space — the thin tissue that covers the organ. Typically, this space contains cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a cushion to protect the brain. When blood seeps into this space, it can cause a stroke, brain damage, or death.
Leesfield & Partners recovered $1 million for the client in that case.
Carlos A. Fabano, a Leesfield & Partners Trial Lawyer has invaluable experience litigating these types of cases. In addition to medical malpractice cases, Mr. Fabano also represents clients injured or killed in various practice areas of personal injury such as premises liability, construction site accidents and defective products.
