Legionnaires’ Disease in Illinois Nursing Homes

Award-Winning Injury Protecting Vulnerable Residents From Legionnaires’ Disease Throughout Illinois

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium. For nursing home residents, who are often older, frail, and have chronic health conditions, the risk of severe illness or death from Legionnaires’ disease is substantially higher than for the general population. In recent years Illinois has seen multiple clusters and investigations connected to long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, underscoring the need for robust water management, rapid detection, and clear legal rights for families when an outbreak occurs.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our team of experienced Illinois nursing home injury attorneys is dedicated to protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our community – nursing home residents. For more than 25 years, we have fought for families whose loved ones suffered serious harm because of neglect, unsafe conditions, and preventable outbreaks in long-term care facilities. We understand how devastating it can be to learn that a loved one has contracted Legionnaires’ disease in a place that was supposed to provide safety and care. Our mission is to hold negligent nursing homes accountable and to secure justice and compensation for victims and their families.

“Nursing homes must be held to a high standard of care, especially when water systems and infection control failures endanger residents’ lives. Families deserve clear answers and meaningful remediation when a preventable Legionnaires’ outbreak occurs.” — John J. Malm, Naperville nursing home neglect lawyer

What is Legionnaires’ Disease and How Does It Spread?

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. Unlike most diseased, it is not spread from person to person. People become infected when they inhale small droplets of water (aerosols) contaminated with Legionella. Common building sources include cooling towers, hot water systems, decorative fountains, humidifiers, and other devices that can generate fine water droplets. In nursing homes, plumbing systems, showers, sinks, and therapeutic whirlpools or bathing equipment are typical risk points if water management is inadequate. Those most at risk for contracting Legionnaire’s disease include people over age 50, current or former smokers, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic lung disease, demographics that overlap heavily with nursing home populations.

Why Nursing Homes are Especially Vulnerable to Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks

Nursing homes host a combination of factors that can allow Legionella to grow and expose residents:

• Complex plumbing systems with areas of low flow (stagnation) where bacteria can amplify.
• Warm water temperatures in hot water systems that can favor bacterial growth.
• Medical devices or therapies that aerosolize water (e.g., certain respiratory therapies, whirlpools).
• High concentrations of residents with age-related or disease-related vulnerability to severe infection.
• Occasional lapses in maintenance, testing, or implementation of an effective water management plan.

Trends and Statistics on Legionnaires’ Disease

Reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease have increased substantially since the early 2000s. Nationwide surveillance shows an overall rise in reported incidence, with outbreaks frequently linked to building water systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that roughly 1 in 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease die from complications. For those who acquire the disease while in a healthcare facility, mortality may be as high as about 1 in 4.

Illinois public health authorities note that since 2000 there has been a more than fourfold increase in Legionella infections reported nationally, and the state emphasizes the role of building water systems and the importance of water management in prevention. Nationally, it’s estimated that between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized each year with legionellosis, with additional uncounted mild cases.

Recent Illinois Clusters and Investigations

Illinois has investigated multiple cases and clusters tied to long-term care facilities. Most recently (October 2025), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced an investigation into a cluster linked to a Bloomingdale skilled nursing facility after two cases were identified and traced back to the facility. Local and state health departments routinely coordinate environmental testing and remediation when a facility is implicated. These events illustrate both the ongoing risk and the mechanisms health authorities use to protect residents and the public.

Typical Public Health Response After a Case is Identified

When a case of Legionnaires’ disease is identified in a nursing home, public health authorities generally:

1. Confirm the diagnosis clinically (urine antigen test, respiratory culture where available) and review patient movement and exposures.
2. Conduct an epidemiologic investigation to determine whether the case is likely healthcare-associated.
3. Sample the facility’s water system and any suspected devices for Legionella.
4. Require or recommend immediate engineering controls and remediation steps—these can include thermal eradication (“superheating”), hyperchlorination, point-of-use filters, or more comprehensive system disinfection.
5. Monitor for additional cases and continue environmental testing until the system is confirmed clear.
6. Provide public communication and guidance to families and the community as needed.

Signs of Legionnaires’ Disease and Symptoms to Watch For

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease typically appear 2–14 days after exposure and can include:

• Cough (often productive)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever and chills
• Muscle aches and headache
• Confusion or other mental status changes (particularly in older adults)

Because nursing home residents may have other chronic respiratory problems, any sudden decline in respiratory status, fever, or increased oxygen needs should prompt clinical evaluation and testing for Legionella when an exposure is suspected. Early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics improve outcomes, as delay increases the risk of severe complications.

Immediate Red Flags For Families to Look For

• Multiple residents or recent admissions with unexplained pneumonia within days to weeks of each other.
• Sudden increases in respiratory complaints or oxygen needs among residents.
• Repeated or unexplained water shutoffs, discoloration, or odd smells from hot water.
• Lack of a visible infection control leader or a written water management plan when asked.
• Resistance from facility management to share environmental testing results or to explain remediation steps.

What To Do If Your Loved One Contracts Legionnaires’ Disease in a Nursing Home

If a resident is diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease or you suspect exposure at a facility, take these steps:

• Seek immediate medical care and ensure the resident is receiving recommended antibiotic treatment.
• Ask the facility and their infection prevention officer for a written explanation of how the case was detected, what parts of the water system were tested, and what remediation steps have been taken or are planned.
• Request copies of environmental testing results and any public health reports or directives from the local health department.
• Document all medical care, diagnoses, and communications with the facility.
• Consider requesting a temporary transfer if the remediation requires major work or if the facility cannot assure safety.
• Report the outbreak to the IDPH.
• Contact an experienced Illinois nursing home negligence attorney.

Legal Claims for Nursing Home Residents with Legionnaires’ Disease

When residents contract Legionnaires’ disease as a result of inadequate water management, maintenance failures, or neglect, families may have legal claims against the facility. Potential bases for a claim include:

• Negligence for failure to maintain safe water systems or follow recognized standards (e.g., failing to implement a water management program).
• Negligent hiring or supervision if maintenance staff were unqualified or protocols were ignored.
• Violations of state regulations governing nursing home safety and infection control.
• Wrongful death in the event the illness results in death.

Successful claims often rely on demonstrating: (1) the facility had a duty to maintain a safe environment, (2) the facility breached that duty (for example by failing to follow CDC and ASHRAE guidance), (3) the breach caused the resident’s infection and harm, and (4) quantifiable damages (medical costs, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, etc.). Families should preserve medical records, testing results, and communications, and seek prompt legal advice because evidence and investigative records can deteriorate or be lost over time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Legionnaires’ Disease in Illinois Nursing Homes

Q: Can Legionnaires’ disease be prevented in nursing homes?
A: Yes, through an effective, facility-specific water management program, routine monitoring and maintenance, prompt environmental testing when cases occur, and rapid engineering remediation when contamination is identified. CDC guidance for healthcare facility water management offers a clear framework for prevention.

Q: How common is it for nursing home residents to die from Legionnaires’ disease?
A: Mortality varies by setting and patient vulnerability. Overall, the CDC reports about 1 in 10 infected persons die; for those who acquire Legionnaires’ in healthcare facilities, mortality can be approximately 1 in 4. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment reduce mortality, but outcomes are worse in older or immunocompromised patients.

Q: If my loved one gets sick, should I hire a lawyer?
A: If you believe the facility’s negligence, failure to follow water management guidance, or regulatory violations contributed to the illness, speaking with an attorney experienced in nursing home and healthcare-associated infection cases can help you understand legal options, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation if warranted. Documenting medical records and communications early is important.

Contact the Top-Rated Illinois Nursing Home Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable hazard when nursing homes proactively manage their water systems and respond quickly when cases arise. For families, vigilance, prompt medical care, documentation, and a demand for transparency from facilities and public health are critical. If the illness appears linked to facility negligence, an Illinois nursing home neglect lawyer can help preserve evidence, navigate interactions with the nursing home, and seek appropriate remedies for medical costs, pain and suffering, and, where applicable, wrongful death damages.

If your loved one has contracted Legionnaires’ disease in a nursing home in Illinois or you have concerns about water safety at a facility, our firm can help you understand your legal rights and work with public health experts to review records, environmental testing, and the facility’s maintenance practices. Contact John J. Malm & Associates today for a free, confidential consultation.