West nile virus and the effects of it physically, emotionally and financially?

Question

A very dear friend of mine has West Nile! The illness attacked his nervous system! He really lost his mind and was not able to communicate or write...he did not know the names of his friends and family! He had to be feed..given bathes etc. etc. My question is this - it is known from the health dept that he caught it in the city he lives in. He rents a room in a house that the landlord lives in as well....the bedroom windows of my friends room (2 of them) had no screens on them...they do now since the health dept. visited them and told them to secure those windows for protection. My friend applied for State disability, which will not cover his monthly expenses. He was in the hospital for 3 weeks and now has a bevy of Dr. he still needs to see as an outpatient. Each specialist is $30.00 per visit - co pay.! He'll be seeing a speach therapist, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a neurologist! This will prove to be extremely expensive! Question? - Doesnt the land lord have some financial responsibility in all of this,due to his negligance in concern of the windows with no screens?

Answer 1

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause serious illness, and in some cases, death. West Nile virus was first found in New York State in 1999. Since 2000 there have been over 254 human cases (26 deaths) of WNV statewide.

The chances of a person becoming ill with WNV are small. Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. In many individuals, these symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed or undetected.

The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and coma. It is estimated that one in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop the more severe form of the disease.

As far as the landlord your friend would have to pursue legal action through the legal system and prove that his landlord was neglegent on providing screens for the windows and as a result he became infected with the west nile virus. The problem with this he might encounter is the fight because from a judges point of view he might say that your friend could have been bit anywhere at anytime. It's very sad because I posted the article of what the west nile virus is and it's serious and he needs to get a good lawyer or find someone that will fight for him to win the case. Tell him don't give up and to look into legal aide or even pursue the Department of Health for his state. West Nile virus is very serious and has killed people. He just happened to be one of the lucky ones that got treated in time but he needs to still look into some legal action and I believe he might have a case. Good Luck!