Legionella News - Phoenix Widow Sues Tucson Resort - husband died of Legionnaires' Disease

A Phoenix widow is suing the Westin La Paloma resort. Her attorney says the woman's husband died of Legionnaires' Disease, and believes the resort is responsible.

Larry and Dathel Grosshart visited La Paloma for a wedding last month.
Less than two weeks later, Larry died of Legionnaires' Disease. His family has filed a lawsuit -- but county health administrators say it's aimed at the wrong target. Grosshart's widow says he was healthy when they arrived at La Paloma for a wedding September 24th. Attorney Mike Meehan says, "They were there for several days -- used the facilities. They and several others developed the symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease -- unfortunately Larry developed serious symptoms and was hospitalized."
By October 6th, the 45 year old was dead. Now, his family has filed suit against La Paloma. La Paloma's general manager says the resort is deeply saddened by Grosshart's death. In a statement released yesterday, Steve Shalit says "The Pima County Health Department has investigated the case," and the county's "Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth Macneill has determined this Legionnaires' Disease case was *not contracted in Pima County..." Dr. Macneill tells us health investigators talked to family members and other wedding guests and determined Grosshart's symptoms began *before he even arrived in Tucson.

Tucson attorney Mike Meehan disputes that claim. Dr. Macneill also says medical exams, lab tests and an analysis of symptoms of other guests who complained of sickness show none of them had Legionnaires' Disease. Meehan says, "He and at least 8 other people had similar symptoms, we have solid information that at least one of those other people has lab tests indicating the legionella bacteria." Dr. Macneill says the legionella bacteria is naturally occurring in water everywhere -- you might even find it in *your water right now if you had it tested.

Most people don't get sick from it. A major source of the bacteria is water distribution systems of large buildings. Smokers and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to getting the disease. Experts say people get it from inhaling water droplets -- from the mist of things like showers, misters, and spas...
But the bacteria can only get into your *lungs if it gets past the choking reflexes in your body -- which rarely happens..

Some facts about Legionnaires' Disease:

About 8,000 to 18,000 people contract Legionnaires' every year in the U.S.

Many others can become infected with the legionella bacterium, but never show symptoms of Legionnaires'.

5 to 30 percent of infected people will die from the disease.

Legionnaires' can show up like pneumonia.

Symptoms include fever, chills and a cough.

Patients can also experience muscle aches, headaches, tiredness, a loss of appetite and diarrhea.

The disease got it's name from the first known outbreak at a 1976 convention for the American Legion in Philadelphia where 221 people complained of similar symptoms and 34 died.