I typically only hear from attorneys by press release when there are cases of guests suing because of bed bugs or Legionnaires’ disease. This week I learned about two Legionnaires’ disease cases thanks to Pritzker Hageman, a national law firm with a Legionnaires’ disease practice.
In the first case, Pritzker Hageman and a Las Vegas office led by attorney Raymond Trueblood initiated a lawsuit against two Las Vegas casino hotels: The Grandview and South Point Hotel Casino & Spa. The lawsuit arises from the wrongful death of a guest who contracted Legionnaires’ disease after staying at both properties in 2023.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling tiny droplets of water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. In large buildings such as casino resorts, potential sources can include plumbing systems, showers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, misters, and other water features that can aerosolize water. Symptoms may include cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache, and muscle aches. People over 50, current or former smokers, and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe illness.
A Longstanding Issue
More recently, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) issued public updates regarding separate Legionnaires’ disease investigations involving the two properties, suggesting Legionella proliferation at these properties is a longstanding issue that was not properly remedied when warning signs first appeared. SNHD reported that environmental testing detected Legionella bacteria in building water systems, prompting guest guidance and further public health investigation.
“Legionnaires’ disease is easily preventable when properties implement and follow effective water management plans,” said Ray Trueblood. “When guests are infected by dirty plumbing during a hotel stay, families deserve answers about how the exposure occurred and why safety standards were not followed.”
Case No. 2
In the second case, Pritzker Hageman filed a lawsuit on behalf of a woman who contracted a Legionella infection at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Rochester Mayo Clinic Area/Saint Marys, a hotel in Rochester, Minn., that caters to patients and families traveling to Mayo Clinic.
The firm’s client, 44-year-old Rebecca Lemay of Galesburg, Ill., traveled to Rochester in January 2025 for lung surgery at Mayo Clinic. She and her husband stayed at the SpringHill Suites, where she used the hotel’s spa and pool.
Within days of returning home, Ms. Lemay became critically ill with Legionnaires’ disease. Her illness became life-threatening, resulting in nearly six months of hospitalization and inpatient care as she fought to survive.
Ongoing Water Safety Problems
Public health records show the hotel’s spa had ongoing water safety problems, including a prior Legionnaires’ disease case linked to the hotel. Testing after Ms. Lemay’s stay confirmed Legionella in the system and identified failures in water treatment, monitoring, and maintenance.
Even after a confirmed case, a public health shutdown, and remediation efforts, violations continued, showing the hotel failed to fix conditions that put guests at risk.
“This was a preventable exposure,” said Pritzker Hageman attorney Eric Hageman. “There were repeated violations and clear warning signs the water system was unsafe, yet they failed to fix it. In a hotel serving patients traveling for medical care, that kind of disregard for safety is unacceptable.”
Prevention Steps
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Preventing Legionnaires’ disease in hotels requires a comprehensive water management program to minimize Legionella growth. Key actions include keeping hot water hot (>120 degrees F) and cold water cold, frequently flushing unused pipes, cleaning showerheads and faucets, maintaining cooling towers and hot tubs, and monitoring disinfectant levels.
