Home / Disasters and Accidents / Guest Dies of Legionnaires' Disease; Lawsuit Targets Vegas Hotels
Guest Dies of Legionnaires' Disease; Lawsuit Targets Vegas Hotels
20 Feb
Summary
- Estate sues two Las Vegas casino resorts for negligence in a death case.
- Lawsuit alleges failure to control Legionella bacteria in water systems.
- Previous Legionella detections noted at both resorts, legal documents claim.
A lawsuit has been filed against South Point casino-resort and The Grandview at Las Vegas by the estate of Gary Curtis Jones, who died after contracting Legionnaires' disease.
Jones, visiting from Alabama, stayed at The Grandview from March 12-16, 2023, then South Point from March 16-17, 2023. The lawsuit alleges he was exposed to Legionella bacteria during his stay, leading to a Legionnaires' disease diagnosis upon his return home.
His condition rapidly deteriorated, resulting in hospitalization for respiratory failure and sepsis. Jones died from the infection on April 2, 2023. The estate claims the resorts were negligent in controlling Legionella.
Court documents indicate that while water tests at The Grandview were negative for Legionella between June 2022 and July 2023, investigations by the Southern Nevada Health District found the bacteria present in South Point's water systems after Jones' visit.
The lawsuit also points to previous instances of Legionella detection at The Grandview in June 2022 and numerous water-related violations at South Point dating back to 2020, alleging both properties failed to meet care standards.
Legionnaires' disease, a severe respiratory infection, has symptoms appearing two to 14 days post-exposure. Risk factors include older age and weakened immune systems. Prompt antibiotic treatment is crucial, and prevention relies on proper maintenance of water systems.
