A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak investigation at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati has raised serious concerns for patients and families. Public reports have described six Legionnaires’ disease cases over a three-month period and three deaths among those cases. Health officials and the hospital have said the investigation is focused on a potential, but unconfirmed, association with The Christ Hospital’s main campus.
Pritzker Hageman is representing people sickened in this outbreak. Our Legionnaires’ disease lawyers help patients and families investigate where the infection came from, whether a facility’s water system was unsafe, and whether a hospital Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit may be available.
We previously wrote about the initial Legionnaires’ disease outbreak report at Christ Hospital. Since then, more information has become public, including reports of additional cases, reported deaths among case patients, water testing reports, and additional public health investigation.
Latest update on the Christ Hospital Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
According to local reporting, The Christ Hospital reported six Legionnaires’ disease cases over a three-month period. WLWT reported that the hospital was working with the Cincinnati Health Department, Hamilton County Public Health, and the Ohio Department of Health and had installed filters on faucets and showers as part of its response.
Local 12 reported that the six cases occurred over the previous three months, that three patients died, and that the hospital began environmental testing and installed filters after earlier cases were identified.
FOX19, citing The Cincinnati Enquirer, reported that the Ohio Department of Health was investigating the outbreak, that the hospital had described the cases as potentially but not yet confirmed to be associated with the main campus, and that officials had not determined whether Legionella pneumonia was the primary reason for the deaths.
A Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) report earlier described Christ Hospital as investigating possible hospital-onset Legionnaires’ disease cases in cooperation with local and state health officials.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. People usually get sick after breathing in tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella. The disease is generally not spread from person to person.
The CDC explains that Legionnaires’ disease can cause cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath, confusion, diarrhea, or nausea. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after exposure. Many people with Legionnaires’ disease need hospital care, and the CDC states that about 1 in 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease die from it. The risk can be higher in healthcare-associated cases.
To learn more about the illness, see our Legionnaires’ disease FAQ and our guide to Legionnaires’ disease symptoms and diagnosis.
Did You or a Loved One Contract Legionella?
How does Legionella grow in hospital water systems?
Legionella bacteria can grow in man-made water systems, especially in large buildings with complex plumbing. Hospitals are particularly important because they serve patients who may already be vulnerable to severe infection.
The CDC clinical overview identifies possible sources of exposure including showers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, cooling towers, and other systems that can create contaminated mist. The CDC also says healthcare facilities should have comprehensive water management programs to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and transmission.
Common building conditions that can allow Legionella to grow include:
- Warm water temperatures that support bacterial growth
- Low disinfectant levels
- Stagnant water in pipes or fixtures
- Scale, sediment, corrosion, or biofilm inside plumbing
- Dead legs or unused plumbing lines
- Inadequate water management planning
- Failure to monitor, test, and respond to risk conditions
For a deeper explanation, see Where Does Legionnaires’ Disease Come From?
Why hospital Legionnaires’ disease cases are especially concerning
Hospital-associated Legionnaires’ disease cases deserve immediate attention because many hospital patients are at higher risk of severe illness. People over 50, current and former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, people with weakened immune systems, and people with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk.
Hospitals also have large, complex water systems. These systems may include patient showers, sinks, ice machines, therapy equipment, hot water tanks, water storage systems, and other plumbing features. If Legionella grows in these systems, vulnerable patients may inhale contaminated water droplets during ordinary care.
Because Legionnaires’ disease can look like other forms of pneumonia, families should make sure doctors know about any possible exposure to a reported outbreak. The CDC recommends diagnostic testing when Legionnaires’ disease is possible, particularly in severe pneumonia, healthcare-associated pneumonia, or known outbreak settings.
See our page on what to do if you contract Legionnaires’ disease for more guidance.
Symptoms patients and families should watch for
A patient who was at The Christ Hospital and later developed pneumonia-like symptoms should seek medical care right away and mention the possible Legionella exposure.
Symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Diarrhea, nausea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms
- Worsening pneumonia
Legionnaires’ disease can progress quickly. Early diagnosis and antibiotics can improve outcomes.
Contact Eric Hageman and his Legionnaires’ Disease legal team today and find out how you can get compensation and justice
1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | [email protected]
Can you sue a hospital for Legionnaires’ disease?
Yes, a patient may be able to sue a hospital for Legionnaires’ disease if evidence shows that contaminated water at the hospital caused the infection and that the hospital or another responsible party failed to use reasonable care to prevent Legionella exposure.
A successful case often depends on evidence such as:
- Medical records confirming pneumonia
- Laboratory testing confirming Legionella infection
- A timeline showing when symptoms began
- Proof that the patient was at the suspected exposure location during the relevant window
- Public health investigation findings
- Environmental testing results
- Water management records
- Maintenance, flushing, disinfection, and remediation records
- Evidence that the facility knew or should have known about Legionella risk
Our page on determining liability for a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak explains how responsibility may be investigated.
What compensation may be available?
Patients sickened by Legionnaires’ disease may be able to seek compensation for:
- Hospital bills and medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and follow-up care
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term health complications
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Losses suffered by family members
When a loved one dies from Legionnaires’ disease, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. These claims may seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages allowed by law.
Learn more about Legionnaires’ disease lawsuits and compensation, Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit settlements, and Legionnaires’ disease wrongful death lawsuits.
How Pritzker Hageman helps people sickened by Legionnaires’ disease
Pritzker Hageman has a national Legionnaires’ disease legal team with experience investigating outbreaks linked to hospitals, hotels, resorts, apartment buildings, workplaces, senior housing, and other large buildings.
In a Christ Hospital Legionnaires’ disease case, our team may:
- Review medical records and Legionella test results
- Build a timeline of symptoms, hospitalization, and possible exposure
- Determine whether the illness fits the known outbreak window
- Investigate whether other patients were sickened
- Review public health findings and environmental testing
- Seek water management, maintenance, and remediation records
- Work with medical, epidemiology, and water-system experts
- Identify responsible parties
- Pursue compensation for patients and families
Our Legionnaires’ disease lawyers know that these cases require fast action. Water systems can be flushed, disinfected, repaired, or altered after an outbreak is discovered. Important evidence can disappear. That is why early investigation matters.
Attorney Raymond Trueblood-Konz has also called on building operators to implement water management plans to protect public health. Read more about why water management plans matter in Legionnaires’ disease prevention.
What Christ Hospital patients and families should do now
Patients and families affected by the Christ Hospital Legionnaires’ disease outbreak should consider these steps:
- Get medical care immediately if symptoms develop: Tell your doctor about the possible Christ Hospital exposure and ask whether Legionnaires’ disease testing is appropriate.
- Save medical and hospital records: Keep discharge papers, test results, diagnoses, antibiotic records, bills, and follow-up instructions.
- Write down a timeline: Record the dates of hospital admission, discharge, symptoms, pneumonia diagnosis, Legionella testing, ICU care, and any communications from health officials or the hospital.
- Do not rely only on the hospital’s investigation: Hospitals and health departments may investigate public health issues, but a legal case requires an independent review focused on your rights and your family’s losses.
- Contact an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer: The sooner a legal team begins investigating, the better the chance of preserving evidence and identifying what happened.
Frequently asked questions about the Christ Hospital Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
Local news reports described six Legionnaires’ disease cases over a three-month period. Reports also described three deaths among those case patients, while noting that officials had not determined whether Legionella pneumonia was the primary reason for the deaths.
Public reporting described the cases as potentially, but not yet confirmed, associated with The Christ Hospital’s main campus. Reports said the hospital and public health agencies were investigating possible sources and conducting environmental testing.
Public reports said Christ Hospital installed filters on faucets and showers, performed additional water testing, and worked with Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and Ohio health officials. FOX19 also reported additional measures including chlorination.
Legionnaires’ disease is generally not spread person to person. People usually get sick by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after exposure. Some outbreak investigations have documented longer incubation periods, but 2 to 14 days is the typical range used in public health guidance.
Doctors commonly use a urine antigen test and may also test respiratory specimens with culture or molecular methods. Culture and molecular testing can be especially important in outbreak investigations because they may help compare patient samples with environmental samples.
Contact an experienced Legionnaires’ disease wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. A legal team can investigate whether the illness was linked to unsafe water, whether the death was related to the infection, and whether surviving family members have a claim.
Contact Pritzker Hageman about the Christ Hospital outbreak
Pritzker Hageman is representing people sickened in the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. We help patients and families find answers, investigate unsafe water systems, and pursue compensation when preventable Legionella exposure causes serious illness or death.
Call 1-888-377-8900 or text 612-261-0856 for a free consultation with our Legionnaires’ disease legal team.
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