Legionnaires’ Disease and Vacation Rentals in Florida
A Hidden Danger in Villas, Condos, Hotels, and Commercial Rentals
When you book a Florida vacation, the last thing on your mind is contracting a serious illness. Unfortunately, poorly maintained water systems in vacation rentals—including villas, condos, private homes, and hotels—can create the perfect environment for Legionella bacteria to thrive. This dangerous pathogen causes Legionnaires’ disease, a severe type of pneumonia that often requires hospitalization and can have long-term health consequences.
How Legionnaires’ Disease Is Contracted
Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person. Instead, it is contracted when individuals inhale tiny droplets of water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Common sources include:
- Hot tubs, spas, and pools that are not properly sanitized
- Air-conditioning and ventilation systems using contaminated water
- Showers, faucets, and decorative fountains
- Plumbing systems with stagnant or improperly treated water
If property owners fail to implement and follow appropriate maintenance and disinfection protocols, guests are left at serious risk.
The Incidence and Risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported each year in the United States, with Florida consistently among the states with higher case counts due to its warm climate and robust tourism industry. Many outbreaks are linked to hotels and rental properties, where multiple guests may be exposed before the bacteria is detected.
Travel-related cases are particularly dangerous because symptoms—fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, and shortness of breath—may not appear until after your trip, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
Legal Accountability for Negligent Property Owners
When you rent a villa, condo, or hotel room, the owner or operator has a duty to ensure that water systems are properly maintained, disinfected, and monitored. Failing to follow accepted public health protocols places unsuspecting guests at risk of infection.
The Friedman Law Firm, P.A. has represented numerous clients infected with Legionnaires’ disease while on vacation in Florida. We hold negligent property owners and operators accountable for failing to implement proper safety measures—helping our clients recover for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term health complications.
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Call us today at (561) 394-8235
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Visit us at www.thefriedman-lawfirm.com
