Pritzker Hageman is investigating reported Legionnaires’ disease cases tied to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The firm has been retained by two families whose loved ones died after contracting Legionella infections associated with care at the hospital.
If you or a loved one were treated at Berkshire Medical Center and later developed Legionnaires’ disease, pneumonia, or similar symptoms, you may have legal rights. Contact Pritzker Hageman for a free, confidential consultation.
Did You or a Loved One Contract Legionella?
What Happened at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA?
Between May and August 2025, seven patients tested positive for Legionella in connection with Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Two of those patients later died from complications associated with the infection.
A History of Dangerous Legionella Levels
According to reporting by The Berkshire Eagle, Legionella was found in Berkshire Medical Center’s cooling towers and in parts of the hospital’s water system. Those findings raised serious concerns because Legionella in a hospital setting can create a significant risk for patients who are already medically vulnerable, including older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and people with underlying health conditions.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease and How Does it Spread in a Hospital?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. People become infected by inhaling small water droplets contaminated with the bacteria.
In hospitals, Legionella may spread through aerosolized water from:
- showers and sink faucets in patient rooms
- cooling towers connected to air-conditioning systems
- hot water heaters and plumbing systems
- other water sources that create mist or fine droplets
Hospitals are expected to maintain water management plans to reduce the risk of Legionella growth because their patients are often among the people most likely to suffer serious complications.
Legionnaires’ Disease Symptoms
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually appear within two to ten days after exposure and can become serious quickly. Symptoms may include:
- cough
- shortness of breath
- high fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- headache
- fatigue
- confusion
- pneumonia that can progress to respiratory failure or septic shock
Because these symptoms can look like other forms of pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease may not always be recognized right away.
Who is Most at Risk?
Legionnaires’ disease can affect anyone, but it is often most dangerous for people who are already medically vulnerable, including:
- adults age 50 and older
- current or former smokers
- people with chronic lung disease
- people with serious underlying health conditions
- people with weakened immune systems
This is one reason Legionella concerns in hospitals are so serious. Many hospitalized patients fall into one or more high-risk categories.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that adults with laboratory-confirmed Legionella pneumonia faced substantial mortality risk, with higher risk among older and immunocompromised patients.
Can You Sue a Hospital for Legionnaires’ Disease?
Yes. You may be able to sue a hospital for Legionnaires’ disease if you or a loved one became sick after exposure to contaminated water during a hospital stay.
Hospitals have a duty to provide a safe environment for patients. That includes taking reasonable steps to prevent Legionella from growing in hospital water systems and exposing patients to contaminated water.
When a patient develops Legionnaires’ disease after a hospital stay, the hospital may be liable if poor water safety, delayed action, or other negligence played a role. A lawsuit may allow the injured patient — or surviving family members in a wrongful death case — to seek compensation.
At Pritzker Hageman, we have represented victims and families in Legionnaires’ disease cases for decades, including claims involving hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Our legal team investigates what happened, looks for failures in water safety and infection control, and works to hold negligent facilities accountable.
What to Do If You Were at BMC and Got Sick
If you were treated at Berkshire Medical Center in 2025 and later developed pneumonia-like symptoms, or if a family member died after a BMC stay, these steps can help protect your health and preserve your legal rights.
- Get medical care. Tell your provider about your BMC stay and when symptoms began.
- Ask about Legionella testing if you were diagnosed with pneumonia.
- Document your timeline. Dates of admission/discharge, symptom onset, and any diagnosis.
- Save records you already have. Discharge paperwork, bills, test results, prescriptions.
- Don’t wait. Time limits called statutes of limitations may apply to Massachusetts personal injury and wrongful death claims.
- Contact a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer for a free, confidential case review.
Berkshire Medical Center Legionnaires’ Disease Lawsuit FAQs
A hospital may be held liable if unsafe water system conditions exposed patients to Legionella bacteria. Depending on the facts, liability may also extend to a healthcare system, building owner, management company, maintenance contractor, or another party responsible for water safety, inspection, or remediation.
Victims of hospital-acquired Legionnaires’ disease may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other related losses. If the illness caused long-term complications, damages may also include ongoing care and disability-related losses. In fatal cases, surviving family members may be able to pursue wrongful death damages.
Anyone who may have been exposed should seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, or pneumonia develop. It is also important to keep medical records, document the dates of hospitalization or visits, and preserve any information related to the facility and diagnosis. Speaking with an attorney can help families understand whether they may have a legal claim and what steps may help protect their rights.
Additional Information About Legionnaires’ Disease
- Legionnaires’ Disease Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where Does Legionnaires’ Disease Come From?
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis
- What to do if You Contract Legionnaires’ Disease
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Determining Liability
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Lawsuits and Compensation
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Wrongful Death Cases
- Finding a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
- Filing a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawsuit
- The Importance of Water Management Plans
Talk to a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one developed Legionnaires’ disease after possible exposure during a hospital stay, we can help you understand your legal options.
Call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or request a free consultation online.
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
We obtained this result on behalf of three people sickened in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a resort hotel.
We obtained this settlement on behalf of six people impacted by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to a hotel hot tub.
Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for eight weeks.
We obtained this settlement on behalf of the family of a woman who died after contracting Legionnaires’ Disease.
We obtained this result on behalf of clients who contracted Legionnaires’ disease from a hotel HVAC cooling tower.
On behalf of a client sicked from contaminated water at a senior care facility.
Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for over a month.
On behalf of a women hospitalized for over two months from a contaminated hotel hot tub in Myrtle Beach.
We obtained this settlement for a woman sickened with Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed in a hotel hot tub.
We obtained this settlement for the family of a 52-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease linked to a hotel.
We collected this on behalf of a client who contracted Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water at a hotel.
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.
Collected on behalf of the family of a man who died as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease contracted while staying at a Wisconsin resort.
We obtained this on behalf of a man hospitalized after Legionella bacteria exposure at a hotel.
See more settlements & verdicts.