18-16: A Landmark Legionella Lawsuit: A Case Study Highlighting the LegalThis publication addresses the highly complex nature of the legal, mechanical and microbiological factors underlying the landmark decision in the Gross v. Baltimore Aircoil, et al. case believed to be the first reported Legionnaires disease case wherein a chemical water treater was alleged to owe a general duty to the public to protect it from Legionella related illness. The fundamental legal issues include: (1) the existence of a legal duty by a