Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
Exposure to rare, flesh-eating bacteria is akin to the plotlines found in sci-fi novels; in Florida, however, it is a horrifying reality, health officials say.
Five cases have been confirmed in the Sunshine State in 2026 so far. At least one case was in Miami-Dade County, Florida Department Health officials told reporters with CBS Miami. 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.
In 2025, five people were killed as the result of injuries related to flesh-eating bacteria exposure. In all, there were 33 confirmed cases for that year. In 2024, there were 19 deaths and 82 infections, marking the highest number of deaths from flesh-eating bacteria since at least 2016. As of mid-June 2026, no deaths have been reported.
If a person is exposed to the bacteria through food, then they might experience vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Those exposed to the bacteria via an open wound can experience skin breakdown and ulcers. Typically, Florida Department of Health officials wrote on their website, “healthy” people exposed to the bacteria will develop a “mild disease;” however, infections can have more dire consequences for those with weakened immune systems and/or chronic liver disease. Treatment can range from antibiotics to amputations, if needed.
To avoid risk of infection, officials recommend refraining from eating raw oysters and shellfish and keeping kitchens clean so that there are no risks of cross-contamination between raw and cooked seafood. Anyone with open wounds should steer clear from warm salt or brackish water.
Leesfield & Partners
With offices in coastal cities like Key West and Miami, Leesfield & Partners attorneys understand that the water can be a formidable force. From unthinkable diving and drowning incidents to boat and jet ski crashes, our skilled trial attorneys have seen just about every injury on the water. In five decades of personal injury practice, Leesfield & Partners has built a reputation throughout Florida, securing record and historic verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured clients and families and using this unique platform to discuss safety reform.
Ira Leesfield, the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, advocated for increased carbon monoxide safety following a father and son’s exposure to the lethal gas at a Key West hotel. Senate Bill 1822 mandates that public lodging establishments must be equipped with life-saving carbon monoxide detectors. Following the successful passage of that bill, the team at Leesfield & Partners has continued to work tirelessly to secure the best possible result on behalf of every client and highlight safety risks to prevent similar tragedies.
For nearly a decade, Mr. Leesfield has been outspoken about the dangers of e-bikes and e-scooters and their lack of regulation.
“[In Florida,] we regulate the age and education of auto operators and even require insurance,” Mr. Leesfield said. “The E-bike operators and, more importantly, the distributors must play by the same rules.”
Similarly, Trial Attorney and Eric Shane helped bring attention to Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Many Leesfield & partners clients suffering from exposure to Legionnaires’ disease were exposed to the bacteria while enjoying amenities frequently seen at Florida hotels and resorts — pools and hot tubs.
In a recent case involving a flesh-eating bacteria, Trial Attorneys Evan Robinson and Mr. Shane secured a substantial recovery amount. The client suffered tremendous and painful injuries as the result of being exposed to this bacteria.
Famous for its sparkling waters, beaches, and warm weather, Florida has achieved the status of a primary vacation destination for thousands of tourists annually. Given this status, state and local safety and emergency management agencies remain acutely aware of the risks posed by flesh-eating bacteria. 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.
Previous 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.
