Maryland Hotel Sued after Guest Contracts Legionnaire’s Disease

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

After six guests at Ocean City, MD’s historic Boardwalk hotel contracted Legionnaire’s disease last summer, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Worcester County Health Department confirmed the presence of Legionella in the hotel’s water system. Five months later, one of the six guests has filed a $6 million lawsuit against the hotel.
Extensive testing confirmed the presence of the Legionella bacteria in the building. Water samples were collected from various locations in the hotel.
The defendant in the suit required extensive hospitalization, including intubation for six weeks. He experienced renal failure, septic shock, and respiratory failure. Another guest passed away due to complications from the disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious form of pneumonia that results in long term health effects or a flu-like illness called Pontiac Fever. Most individuals become infected by inhaling Legionella bacteria from contaminated aerosolized water in air or from aspiration of contaminated water; it is not spread from person to person. The bacteria multiply in biofilm found in hot tubs, cooling towers, faucets, showerheads, and potable water systems.

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