environmental Strategist, between the lines: As the article below points out there has been an eight-fold increase in the number of Legionnaires cases over the last two decades. The hotbeds for Legionnaires are hot tubs, hotels, hospitals. The “experts” point to several factors for the explosion of cases in the US, i.e. decaying infrastructure, an aging population, green buildings, water conservation efforts, climate change and increased testing.
Legionnaires Disease is a bacteria that can create an environmental liability for those using central air conditioning systems, fountains, room-air humidifiers, ice-making machines, whirlpool spas, water heating tanks & systems, showers, swimming pools, misting systems typically found in grocery-store produce sections, cooling towers used in industrial cooling systems, evaporative coolers, nebulizers, humidifiers, windshield washers, physical therapy equipment….
The article discusses that dealing with Legionnaires can be very expensive and it’s anticipated the number of Legionnaires cases will continue to grow.
Besides property owners experiencing expensive cleanups, business interruption, third party bodily injury, third party property damage, reputational damage…, who else gets named in Legionnaire lawsuits? Vendors who can impact water such as plumbers, HVAC contractors, Refrigeration contractors….
As your client’s professional risk manager, you need to make sure clients have an environmental financial assurance plan to address their exposure to Legionnaires.
Pollution insurance can protect your insureds from Legionnaires liabilities.