A Connecticut resident is suing a Florida hotel for negligence after contracting Legionnaires’ disease during a stay. Tracey Hart filed the complaint against Beachcomber Hotel Owner, LLC, doing business as Beachcomber Beach Resort Hotel, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on December 6, 2024.

The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred between March 11 and March 13, 2024, when Hart stayed at the Beachcomber Beach Resort Hotel. During his stay, Hart used various water systems at the hotel, including swimming pools and showers. He alleges that these systems were contaminated with Legionella bacteria. According to the complaint, Hart began experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea and fatigue on March 21, 2024. Medical tests confirmed he had contracted Legionnaires’ disease—a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosolized water containing Legionella bacteria.

Hart’s complaint accuses Beachcomber Hotel Owner, LLC of multiple counts of negligence. The allegations include failing to inspect and maintain their water systems adequately and not warning guests about potential health risks. “Defendant had a duty to properly maintain the aforementioned Systems in a reasonably safe manner,” states the complaint. Furthermore, it accuses the hotel of neglecting to train its staff adequately in identifying and mitigating such risks.