Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
As of Monday, July 6, there have been at least 23 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in two Upper East Side neighborhoods, New York City health officials said.
At least 17 people have been hospitalized as a result of the Legionnaires’ outbreak in the Carnegie Hill and Yorkville areas, including the following zip codes:
- 10028
- 10128
- 10075
No deaths have been reported.
As the investigation continues, officials said they believe the likely source of the infections to be one or more cooling towers in the area. These towers, typically found on a building’s roof, control temperature of appliances like a home’s refrigerator, reporters with The Associated Press said. All towers in the area are being tested.
Officials have told residents that the infections are not caused by a plumbing system issue and that it is safe to continue drinking tap water, bathing, showering, cooking, and using air conditioners. Legionnaires’ Disease is not passed from person to person, but rather from breathing in vaporized water that has been contaminated with the Legionella bacteria.
Anyone who has recently been in the area who is experiencing any flu-like symptoms should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Leesfield & Partners, a Florida personal injury law firm, has represented countless victims of Legionnaires’ Disease. Whether a tourist who was exposed to the bacteria while using a hotel’s amenities or an out-of-state transplant settling into their new home in the Sunshine State, Leesfield & Partners works tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for every client.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ Disease was first identified in 1976 following an outbreak of pneumonia in Philadelphia at a convention for the American Legion, according to the Florida Department of Health. It is a severe form of pneumonia contracted when a person inhales water droplets contaminated by Legionella bacteria. This bacteria grows best in warm, slow-moving or stagnant water.
The bacteria can grow on showerheads, sink faucets, decorative fountains, hot tubs or plumbing systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Those most at risk of infection are current and former smokers, people 50 years old or older, and those with preexisting health conditions such as chronic lung diseases, cancer or weakened immune systems.
Leesfield & Partners
Legionnaires’ Disease has been steadily increasing throughout the U.S. for more than two decades, according to the CDC. There are 8,000 to 18,000 confirmed hospitalizations due to the disease every year in the United States. The latest available data in Florida shows the rate of Legionnaires’ Disease to be 2.4 per every 10,000 people, according to the FDOH.
The state reportedly experienced an unprecedented spike in 2024 and 2025, local media reported at the time. In 2025, the state reported 665 cases.
Leesfield & Partners has remained committed to representing the victims of Legionnaires’ Disease for decades with Trial Attorney Eric Shane obtaining a recent historic result on behalf of a family who lost a loved one in Florida. That recovery remains the largest in U.S. history on behalf of a single plaintiff in a Legionnaires’ case.
“I am proud of this result not because of the number, but because it represents justice and accountability,” Mr. Shane said. “The family trusted us to make sure their loved one’s death wasn’t in vain, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
In that case, the source of the legionella bacteria exposure was liked to an inadequately maintained hot tub on the property that was being used by our client’s loved one. Not only did the property and its pool maintenance company fail to properly monitor the hot tub’s water system for the dangerous bacteria, but it also failed to maintain this system in such a way that would have prevented the growth of Legionella bacteria.
Within a few days of using this amenity, our client’s loved one presented with symptoms.
“This was a heartbreaking case because it never should have happened,” Mr. Shane said. “Legionnaires’ disease is entirely preventable when hotels and condominiums follow proper maintenance and safety protocols. This is especially true when the source of the bacteria is from a hot tub. No family should have to lose a loved one the way this family did.”
Previous Cases
Mr. Shane previously settled a Legionnaires’ Disease case that resulted in a $500,000 settlement after a condominium resident contracted the disease following use of the community’s hot tub.
In another Legionnaires’ Disease case, also handled by Mr. Shane, a woman was exposed to the bacteria at a Florida hotel. Throughout her stay, our client regularly used a hot tub on the property. On the same day as checkout, the woman began experiencing symptoms such as swelling and fever. After doctors diagnosed her with the disease, she went into septic shock and suffered an acute kidney injury.
In an investigation, it was discovered that the hotel failed to maintain the hot tub in accordance with industry standards. Our client continues to suffer from pain and fatigue. A $300,000 recovery amount was secured for the woman in that case.
Previously, the firm settled two cases of Legionnaires’ Disease resulting from the same resort. The plaintiffs in those cases were unrelated and were not staying at the resort at the same time. Leesfield & Partners’ Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, along with other attorneys at the firm were able to prove that the resort did not properly maintain or sanitize water systems that fueled multiple decorative fountains on the property.
A six-figure settlement for each client was reached in those cases.
Another Leesfield & Partners client was represented by Mr. Shane after they were exposed to the Legionella bacteria during their stay at an Airbnb. That case settled for six figures.
If you or a loved one were exposed to Legionella bacteria and believe you may have a claim, don’t wait. Call a Leesfield & Partners attorney today at 800-836-6400.
