Some guests who recently stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Colorado were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our Legionnaires’ disease lawyers can help.
Do You Need a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer?
Legionnaires’ Disease at Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, CO
State and county health officials are investigating reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease among guests who recently stayed at the luxury resort in Avon, CO, where nightly rates for suites cost thousands of dollars.
The Eagle County Health Department and the Colorado Department of Public Health have collected and tested water samples from the ski-in/ski-out resort on Beaver Mountain about a 2-hour drive from Denver, according to a notice posted by hotel management alongside a fact sheet about Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.
Test results were positive for Legionella. Health officials are working to determine where the contamination originated. Because they are a known source of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, hot tubs at the resort have been temporarily closed.
What is Legionnaires’ disease, and how is the hotel involved?
People get Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, when they breathe in water vapor that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is not transmitted from person to person.
Legionella are found in nature but grow best in man-made structures such as hot tubs, pools, and fountains. The commercial plumbing systems of hotels and other large buildings can pose a risk when water systems are not properly maintained.
At hotels, potential sources of exposure include:
- Showers and faucets
- Hot tubs and pools
- Decorative fountains
Symptoms
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are flu-like and can become serious quickly. Most people require hospitalization. About 10 percent of cases are fatal. Symptoms often include:
- High fever
- Chills
- Cough (sometimes worsening over time)
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches, headache, fatigue
- Confusion (especially in older adults)
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea (in some cases)
Symptoms commonly appear within two to 10 days after exposure, which means people may feel ill only after they have returned home from a trip.
If you believe you may have Legionnaires’ disease, seek medical care immediately. Tell your provider about recent travel and where you stayed, as that information can help guide testing and public health reporting.
Who is at greatest risk?
While anyone can contract Legionnaires’ disease, the risk is higher for:
- Adults age 50+
- People with chronic lung disease or other serious medical conditions
- Current or former smokers
- People with weakened immune systems
What to do if you stayed at this hotel and got sick
If you stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, and later developed pneumonia symptoms or were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease:
- Get medical care and follow your doctor’s guidance.
- Document your stay (reservation confirmation, receipts, dates, room number if known).
- Write down your timeline (check-in/check-out dates, when symptoms began, hospitalization dates).
- Save communications (emails from the hotel, travel companions’ notes, etc.).
- Contact an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer to discuss whether you may have a claim.
Additional Information About Legionnaires’ Disease
- Legionnaires’ Disease Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where Does Legionnaires’ Disease Come From?
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis
- What to do if You Contract Legionnaires’ Disease
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Determining Liability
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Lawsuits and Compensation
- Legionnaires’ Disease: Wrongful Death Cases
- Finding a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
- Filing a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawsuit
- The Importance of Water Management Plans
Talk to a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer for a free consultation
If you believe you or a loved one may have been exposed to Legionella at this property, we can help you understand your options.
Call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or request a free consultation online.
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