Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

Two nursing home patients residing at a Chicago nursing home died because they contracted Legionnaires’ Disease. The Park at Vernon Hills, however, says the patients had other health problems.

Authorities and health officials are trying to determine what caused the disease. While not contagious, people get Legionnaires’ Disease by inhaling contaminated vapor or mist.

Some 260 Chicago nursing home patients live at The Park, which has an atrium containing a waterfall, a rain forest, and a spa. All of these amenities have been shut down.

Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ Disease is caused by the bacteria legionella. This type of bacteria commonly arises in artificial and natural water systems. Legionella can cause a variety of pneumonia-like ailments. Legionnaire’s disease is the most serious one and is more common in sick and elderly people. A person can contract Legionnaires’ Disease, which isn’t contagious, by breathing small droplets of water that contain the bacteria.

Illinois Nursing homes are responsible for making sure that their residents are living in a clean, healthy, toxic-free, and safe environment. Any possible hazards must be eliminated. When a hazardous condition at the nursing home causes injury, sickness or death to a patient, the resident and his or her family can have grounds for filing a Chicago, Illinois nursing home neglect lawsuit or a wrongful death complaint.

Legionnaires’ Disease symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Chills
• High fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches

Recently, at another nursing home, at least one person died and four others afflicted with Legionnaires' disease. Nearly four hundred people live at the Stadium Place nursing home.

2 Deaths at Nursing Home Linked to Legionnaires' Disease, Fox News/AP, November 9, 2009

Controlling Legionella in Nursing and Residential Care Homes

Related Web Resource:
Patient Facts: Learn More about Legionnaires' disease, CDC