A Belmont County, Ohio man shared his story about his experience with Legionnaire’s disease after hearing about a new case of the illness (also called legionellosis) in Ohio County, West Virginia. The man did not reveal his identity, but wanted people to know how devastating Legionnaire’s disease can be. As attorneys who represent Legionnaire’s disease victims throughout the United States, we appreciate this man’s willingness to tell others about his very personal struggles with the illness.
After a misdiagnosis, he took a couple of doses of penicillin and then seven weeks of his life became a blur, he told News9:
He said his family found him locked in his bedroom, sitting on the floor watching television after not hearing from him for three days.
His behavior, from what he was told, was erratic.
“My kids, parents and my brothers and sisters told me they would talk to me and sometimes I would answer and sometimes I wouldn’t,” he added.
He got infected in October and like most typical cases, doctors said he got it from contaminated water.
“Mine was so bad. There’s different stages and I’m still learning about it, but mine was so bad my body pretty much shut down. I had to go on dialysis,” he said.
While he started treatment at a local hospital, complications during surgery sent him to a Columbus hospital.
“The doctor’s told my mother I probably wasn’t going to make it,” he added.
He has had to teach himself how to walk again. He is recovering at The Laurels of Steubenville, and hopes to return to work and his normal life in the near future.
Our law firm is one of the few in the nation that has handled a significant number of Legionnaire’s disease cases. Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman are available to help you with your case. Call 888-377-8900 or submit our online form to request a free consultation.