Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at General Motors Michigan Facility: What Victims Should Know

At least two people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease in connection with General Motors’ Cole Engineering Center at the Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. According to CBS News, GM has temporarily closed part of the facility while public health officials investigate the building’s water systems for Legionella, the bacteria that causes the illness.

If you or a loved one developed Legionnaires’ disease after working at or visiting the GM facility in Warren, you may have the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit. The Legionnaires’ disease legal team at Pritzker Hageman has helped clients nationwide recover millions of dollars in cases involving preventable outbreaks.

Contact Pritzker Hageman Lawyers Today

Phone: 1-888-377-8900  |  Text: 612-261-0856

The consultation is free and you never pay anything until we win for you.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease and How Do People Get It?

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by breathing in water droplets that contain Legionella bacteria. These droplets are typically aerosolized through building water systems such as cooling towers. The illness is not spread from person to person and is considered a public health concern when multiple cases occur in the same location.

Common Sources of Legionella Exposure

  • Cooling towers connected to large air conditioning systems
  • Showers, sinks, or other plumbing in commercial buildings
  • Hot tubs, fountains, and misting systems
  • Industrial water systems or manufacturing equipment

These sources are most commonly found in hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities, office buildings, and factories. If not properly maintained, they can allow Legionella to grow and spread.

How Do You Know If You Have Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease symptoms typically appear two to fourteen days after exposure. While symptoms can vary, they often include:

  • High fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Muscle aches and fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Confusion or other changes in mental status

Can You Get Legionnaires’ Disease at Work?

Yes. Legionnaires’ disease can be caused by breathing in mist or vapor from a water system contaminated with Legionella bacteria. This type of exposure can occur in large buildings where water systems are not properly maintained.

In outbreaks like the one linked to GM’s Warren facility, people may be exposed by:

  • Visiting for business, deliveries, or other reasons
  • Working in the building

In some situations, a third party such as a property owner, building management company, maintenance contractor, or water treatment provider may be responsible for maintaining the systems where Legionella can grow.

What to Do If You Were Diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease

If you believe your illness may be connected to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak like the one at GM’s facility in Warren, taking the right steps now can protect both your health and your legal rights.

Here’s what you should do:

  • Seek medical attention right away and ask your doctor to test specifically for Legionnaires’ disease
  • Write down the details of your exposure, including where you were, when you were there, and how long you were on-site
  • Request copies of your medical records, including any test results that confirm a Legionella infection
  • Speak with an experienced Legionnaires’ disease attorney as soon as possible to begin an investigation into the source of your exposure

Early legal action can help preserve crucial evidence and increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our legal team can guide you through the process and help determine who may be responsible for your illness.

Why Trust Pritzker Hageman With Your Legionnaires’ Disease Case?

Pritzker Hageman is one of the only law firms with a dedicated Legionnaires’ disease legal team. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients nationwide in cases involving the following:

Talk to a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and had recent exposure to GM’s Warren, Michigan facility, our experienced Legionnaires’ disease legal team is ready to help. To request a free consultation with our experienced Legionnaires’ Team, call us at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), text 612-261-0856, or use the form below.

We are not paid unless you win. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Proven Results:

We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:

$6.45 Million

We obtained this result on behalf of three people sickened in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a resort hotel.

$6 Million

We obtained this settlement on behalf of six people impacted by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to a hotel hot tub.

$3.75 Million

Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for eight weeks.

$3 Million

We obtained this settlement on behalf of the family of a woman who died after contracting Legionnaires’ Disease.

$2.35 Million

Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for over a month

$1.75 Million

We obtained this settlement for a woman sickened with Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed in a hotel hot tub.

$1.75 Million

We obtained this settlement for the family of a 52-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease linked to a hotel.

$1.75 Million

We recovered this settlement for the family of a 50-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to legionella bacteria at a hotel.

$1 Million

Collected on behalf of the family of a man who died as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease contracted while staying at a Wisconsin resort.

See more settlements & verdicts.

Awards & Recognition:

The Pritzker Hageman law firm and our attorneys have been recognized in:

U.S. News & World Report

Pritzker Hageman has been recognized as one of the best law firms for personal injury litigation by U.S. News & World Report every year the award has been given since 2012.

Super Lawyers®, Thomson Reuters

Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have been awarded the peer selected Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2004.

America’s Top 100 Attorneys®

Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.

Three Time Attorneys of the Year

Pritzker Hageman lawyers have been named Attorneys Of The Year by Minnesota Lawyer three times.

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