Sands Resort Faces Another Lawsuit Connected to Legionella Outbreaks
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease linked to the Sands Resort at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, USA has led to a series of claims being made against the resort owners, seeking compensation for illnesses suffered.
The latest lawsuit was highlighted in a recent news report, which covered the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease last summer. According to officials, the Hampton Beach location was discovered to be the source of the outbreak. Nineteen people were taken ill and confirmed to be suffering from Legionnaires’ disease. One person died while the remainder made recoveries. All the cases stemmed from stays at the beach between 10th June and 26th August 2018. Health officials said their investigations had highlighted the Sands Resort as the likely centre of the Legionnaires’ outbreak.
Latest claimant stayed at the resort for the first week of July
Stephen Uliano travelled to the resort from New York to enjoy a week-long stay there last summer. However, a few days into his stay he started feeling ill. Symptoms related to pneumonia were experienced, leading to his admission at a nearby emergency room. He then stayed in hospital for a week before going home, being treated for pneumonia.
Mr Uliano had no idea his illness could be related to Legionnaires’ disease. Indeed, he only became suspicious when he read about the resort being linked to the Legionella outbreak a couple of months later. At that point, he was tested for the bacteria and, according to the information given in the lawsuit, the tests came back positive.
Six other Legionnaires’ lawsuits have already been filed against the Sands Resort
Mr Uliano’s lawsuit is the seventh of its kind related to what happened last year. Judging by the number of people who fell ill at the time, there is plenty of scope for further claims to be lodged against the resort owner, Thomas Saab. To date, he has remained silent on the claims, understandably, although he has confirmed the hotel is now free from Legionella bacteria.
He has also got rid of a hot tub that was thought to potentially be involved in the outbreak – a hot tub Mr Uliano said he was close to at the time he fell ill. Since the bacteria are spread through inhalation into the lungs, this is a notable factor.
It remains to be seen how the lawsuits progress, and whether people who fell ill are compensated for their experience.
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