Recognizing the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, and taking immediate action, can save you or your loved one’s life. Legionnaires’ disease can cause severe pneumonia, long-term organ damage, and death. This dangerous illness is caused by Legionella bacteria, which spread through contaminated water sources such as cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing systems.
In Nevada, cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been linked to hotels, casinos, and apartment complexes where water systems were not properly maintained.
At George Bochanis Injury Law Offices in Las Vegas, we have the resources and experience to hold negligent property owners accountable. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, call us at 702-388-2005. Consultations are free.
Why It’s Important to Recognize the Signs of Legionnaires’ Disease
Immediate recognition of the symptoms, and taking legal action if negligence is involved, can save lives and protect others from exposure.
- Legionnaires’ disease is severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
- It spreads through contaminated water droplets, not person-to-person contact.
- Las Vegas hotels, casinos, and multi-unit housing have all been linked to outbreaks.
- Victims often require hospitalization, and the disease can be fatal.
Signs of Legionnaires’ Disease
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually appear 2 to 10 days after exposure to contaminated water. They mimic pneumonia, making early recognition critical.
Common symptoms include:
High Fever and Chills
One of the initial signs of Legionnaires’ disease is a sudden onset of high fever, often exceeding 104°F (40°C). Accompanied by chills, this fever is usually persistent and may worsen over time.
Cough and Chest Pain
Patients may experience a persistent cough, which can range from mild to severe. Chest pain, often described as sharp or stabbing, is also a common symptom due to the infection’s impact on the lungs.
Shortness of Breath
As the disease progresses, individuals may find it increasingly difficult to breathe. This symptom is a result of the pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which affects the lungs’ ability to function effectively.
Fatigue and Weakness
Legionnaires’ disease can lead to extreme fatigue and a general feeling of weakness. This is partly due to the body’s immune response, which can be taxing on energy levels.
Muscle Aches and Headaches
Many individuals with Legionnaires’ disease experience muscle aches, often in the back, arms, and legs. Headaches are also common, and can range from mild to severe.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Some patients may develop gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms can accompany or precede the respiratory symptoms.
If you or a loved one develop symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease after staying in a hotel, casino, or senior facility, seek medical care immediately. Then call a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer to make sure your rights are protected.
Serious Complications: What to Expect After Contracting Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease can lead to long term effects, such as:
- Respiratory Failure: In severe cases, especially if not promptly treated, Legionnaires’ disease can lead to respiratory failure. This occurs when the lungs can’t provide enough oxygen to meet the body’s needs.
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Legionnaires’ disease can affect the kidneys, leading to a sudden loss of kidney function. This can be temporary or, in severe cases, may require dialysis.
- Septic Shock: In some cases, the infection can lead to septic shock, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to the infection causes a dangerous drop in blood pressure. This can lead to multiple organ failure.
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): This is a serious condition where the body’s blood-clotting system becomes overactive, which can lead to excessive bleeding and clotting throughout the body.
- Hyponatremia: Legionnaires’ disease can sometimes lead to a condition called hyponatremia, which is an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood. This can lead to symptoms like confusion, seizures, and coma.
- Neurological Complications: Rarely, Legionnaires’ disease can lead to neurological complications such as confusion, seizures, or altered mental status.
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) can occur in severe cases. This can lead to irregular heartbeats, chest pain, and heart failure.
- Multi-organ Failure: In severe cases, Legionnaires’ disease can cause failure of multiple organs, such as the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs.
- Long-term Lung Damage:Some individuals may experience long-term lung damage, which can lead to chronic respiratory problems.
Even with treatment, long-term health consequences are common for people with Legionnaires’ disease. Some symptoms of the disease never go away. Because of this, you should consider hiring a lawyer to help you recover compensation for your losses.
Who Is Most at Risk Of Severe Symptoms After Legionella Exposure?
Certain groups face the highest risk of severe illness or death after exposure to Legionella bacteria:
- Adults over 50
- Smokers and former smokers
- People with COPD or chronic lung conditions
- Cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, or those with weakened immune systems
- Nursing home and hospital patients exposed to contaminated systems
Las Vegas’s high volume of hotels, resorts, and senior care facilities makes these groups especially vulnerable to negligent water management.
What Causes Legionnaires’ Disease?
The disease spreads when victims inhale water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. These droplets can be released into the air through:
- Cooling Towers – Common in large-scale air conditioning systems in hotels and casinos, especially if not properly disinfected.
- Hot Water Tanks and Heaters – Bacteria thrive when water is stored at unsafe temperatures.
- Plumbing Systems – Complex piping in resorts, apartments, and hospitals can harbor Legionella.
- Hot Tubs and Spas – Warm, stagnant water is a breeding ground if maintenance is poor.
- Decorative Fountains and Water Features – A familiar sight in Las Vegas resorts, and a known source of outbreaks.
Legionnaires’ Disease: Symptom Outbreaks in Las Vegas and Nevada
Nevada has faced multiple Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks over the years, often traced back to Las Vegas hotels and casinos. With millions of tourists visiting annually, a single outbreak can expose hundreds of people.
According to the Southern Nevada Health District, cases have been linked to resort properties and multi-unit residential buildings. Recent Legionnaires’ outbreaks in the Las Vegas area have been linked to Harrah’s Laughlin (May 2025), the South Point and The Grandview hotels (2025), and a Caesars Palace (2023).
Nationwide, the CDC estimates nearly 95% of confirmed cases require hospitalization, showing just how dangerous exposure can be.
When property owners neglect water safety standards, they endanger the public — and victims have the right to hold them accountable.
Confirmed Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease? Contact Our Law Firm
If you or a loved one contracted Legionnaires’ disease in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada, don’t wait. Time to file a Legionnaires’ Disease lawsuit is limited. Call George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at 702-388-2005 to protect your rights. We’ll help you understand how much your case is worth, and how to file a lawsuit to hold the negligent property owner or business accountable for your losses.
