Lawsuit Filed Against Memphis 24 Hour Fitness Club Following Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

Yesterday our firm filed a lawsuit against 24 Hour Fitness on behalf of Jerome Walsh.  Mr. Walsh contracted Legionnaires' disease after visiting the facility located on Ridgeway Road in Memphis, Tennessee.  Legionnaires' disease is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which thrives in warm water.  The bacteria can lead to pneumonia and can cause catastrophic injuries and even death if not properly and timely treated. 

The lawsuit, which can be seen here, shows that the Health Department confirmed an outbreak of the Legionella bacteria in the spa and steam room.  Accordingly, there is no question that the disease was present.  If the water systems had been properly cleaned and maintained, this bacteria would not have been present.

Companies like 24 Hour Fitness owe a duty to their members to be careful and to take reasonable steps to maintain the water systems in their facilities.  It is well known that the failure to maintain, test, and clean water systems in facilities such as 24 Hour Fitness can lead to Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. Other outbreaks of the disease have occurred in large buildings with complex water systems such as hotels, cruise ships, hospitals, and as in this case, fitness centers.

Several media outlets have picked-up this important story (WREG, WMCTV, and ABC 24).  Hopefully this lawsuit will cause 24 Hour Fitness and other local area fitness centers to improve safety in their facilities.

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