Tag Archives: Death

by | April 21, 2012 · 6:46 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: California Hotel Sued For $6 Million By Man Who Contracted Legionnaires' Disease From Hotel's Water System; Tests Confirm Bacteria Sickened Six People Resulting In One Death

“…In October 2011, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed the Legionella bacteria was present in water collected from various locations at the Plim Plaza. Six people were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease; one of them later died…”

The lawsuit alleges that the hotel was negligent in its failure to “adequately inspect, monitor and maintain” its water system.

(The Plaintiff)…went on to spend six weeks in the hospital, during which he experienced renal failure, septic shock and respiratory failure, according to the complaint. His medical bills exceeded $200,000 by the time he was discharged on Sept. 24.

A Virginia man who contracted Legionnaires’ Disease in Ocean City last summer is suing the Plim Plaza Hotel for $6 million.

Virginia resident Pat Eldon Dent Jr., and his wife, Martha Dent, filed a lawsuit against the historic Boardwalk hotel in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on April 18. The lawsuit, which names Plim Plaza Hotel Inc. and the Hale and John Harrison Partnership as defendants, seeks $5 million for negligence and $1 million for loss of consortium.

The lawsuit alleges the hotel’s water system was contaminated with unsafe levels of the Legionella bacteria while Dent and his wife stayed there between July 29, 2011, and Aug. 1, 2011. After returning to his home on Aug. 1, Dent began to feel feverish and on Aug. 10 was admitted to Winchester Medical Center and diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to the seven-page complaint filed by Rockville attorney Ronald Karp.

For more:  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20120421/WCT01/204210346/Virginia-man-who-contracted-Legionnaires-files-lawsuit-against-OC-hotel

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by | March 29, 2012 · 8:38 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: New York Elevator Mechanic Dies When Electrocuted During Maintenance Work Near Control Panel

“…(He) was performing maintenance in the engine room on the ninth floor of  the Axa Equitable building …when he was electrocuted just  after 9:30 p.m…”  

Con Edison was called to the scene for safety reasons, an  agency spokesman said, but it was unclear how the man came into contact with  live wires in the room that houses a control panel and a riser that works to  operate the building’s 34 elevators.

A 39-year-old elevator mechanic died when he was electrocuted at work in a  44-story midtown office building Wednesday night, fire and police officials  said.  Emergency responders found  the repairman unconscious and in cardiac arrest, a fire official said.  But  he died less than 30 minutes later, according to a police source.
“He’s  dead,” a fire source at the scene said. “He was lying on live  wires.”
Building workers said the man had been employed for the past five  years by the Schindler Group – a company that develops, installs and services  elevators and escalators, according to its website – which contracts with the  building to supply in-house mechanics to keep up with repairs.
“He has  three kids, it’s horrible,” said one coworker said. “He was a very nice guy. He  was hardworking and smart,” he said of his fallen friend. “But no one knows what  happened.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mechanic-electrocuted-elevator-manhattan-office-building-article-1.1052532#ixzz1qWQmFsvr

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by | March 16, 2012 · 8:14 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Virginia Hotel Sued For $12 Million By Family Of Woman Killed By Valet Driver

“…A multi-million dollar lawsuit is filed in Richmond Civil Court, by the husband of the woman killed outside of a downtown Richmond hotel, allegedly by a valet driver for that hotel…Court documents say that (the valet) pulled out of the driveway of the hotel and instead of turning onto the street, he turned left down the sidewalk and ran right into (the woman)…”

“…Among those named in the suit is the Hilton Garden Inn. And the valet company employed at the hotel…”

In (the civil lawsuit) — Stone’s husband, John, lays out the pain, sorrow and anguish he’s been dealing. Stone died just a few days before their wedding anniversary. The suit says Josephine Stone’s death was a direct result of the negligence, recklessness and a conscious disregard for her rights and safety. The total amount wanted: more than 12 million dollars.

The Hilton released this statement, saying, “We deeply regret the tragic loss of any life especially this promising young person. We continue to work with the third party operator, parking management services, on this matter and will continue to cooperate with local authorities as we have done since this tragic accident. We continue to keep the stone family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.”

Gray is facing a involuntary manslaughter charge as well. That is set to go to a trial on May 25th.

For more:  http://www.nbc12.com/story/17170161/civil-lawsuit-filed-in-woman-killed-outside-richmond-hotel

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by | February 6, 2012 · 8:23 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: South Carolina Hotel's Swimming Pool Heater May Have Been Leaking Carbon Monoxide For Weeks Prior To Guest's Death

Investigators say the hotel’s swimming pool heater leaked carbon monoxide sometime during the night, killing Moran and injuring at least 17 others. Carbon monoxide readings at the hotel reached 500 and 600 parts per million, South Charleston Fire Chief Greg Petry said. Authorities say any reading over 30 parts per million is cause for concern.

“…(a guest)… speculated that his death was caused by the swimming pool before investigators confirmed that carbon monoxide leaked from the pool’s heater…”

Staff members at the Holiday Inn Express in South Charleston were aware of a problem with their swimming pool 10 days before an apparent carbon monoxide leak from the pool’s heater killed one and injured several others Tuesday, two Randolph County women said this week.

Lori Burnside, 40, of Montrose, and Danielle Mallow, 38, of Elkins, stayed at the Corridor G hotel with their two daughters on Jan. 21, but said they did not get any sleep because the hotel’s fire alarms kept them awake during the night.

The alarms were blamed on a problem with the indoor swimming pool, they said, which had to be constantly ventilated by the hotel staff.

For more:  http://wvgazette.com/News/201202040030?page=2&build=cache

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by | January 7, 2012 · 8:11 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel Owner Settles "Wrongful Death" Lawsuit For Over $250,000 Of Man Who Was Trapped By "Suction Of The Pool Drain"

“…Mr. Williams’ widow… sued the club and its owner, Daniel Griffin, along with Elmhurst Corp., the hotel owner, claiming her husband became trapped in the suction of the pool drain…”

The settlement is confidential and lawyers would not discuss it, although court filings indicate that Mr. Williams’ daughter in Buffalo, N.Y., received $264,000, which represents part of the settlement.

A wrongful death suit against a Downtown hotel and a defunct athletic club involving the drowning of a Penn Hills man in 2009 has been settled for an undisclosed amount. Lorenzo Williams, 38, drowned on April 11, 2009, in the pool at the former Downtown Athletic Club adjacent to the Doubletree City Center.

Ms. Williams said Mr. Griffin, who rented the space for the club from the hotel, was negligent in not making sure the pool was safe by installing a drain cover as required by federal law.

The club closed in May 2009 after its lease expired.

The crux of the case was the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, a federal law passed in 2007 requiring all pools and spas to have special drain covers to keep children from getting trapped.

The law was created after Virginia Baker, the 8-year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker III, drowned in 2002 after being trapped by a hot tub drain.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12007/1202018-53.stm#ixzz1imyIW57P

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by | December 17, 2011 · 11:35 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Safety: New York Hotel Elevator Malfunctions "Killing Hotel Guest" Hours After "Electrical Maintenance Repairs"

“…Electrical maintenance work was being performed on an elevator just hours before it malfunctioned, killing an advertising executive in Midtown…”

Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

“…The last fatal elevator accident in the city also involved Transel: Robert Melito, 44, a technician for the company, was servicing an elevator on the 10th floor of a building at 230 West 38th Street on Sept. 23 when he fell to his death…”

Suzanne Hart, 41, was crushed to death on Wednesday morning after the elevator she was stepping into lurched upward, pinning her between the outside of the car and the wall of the elevator shaft.

Mr. Sclafani said the department would be conducting citywide sweeps of elevators maintained by Transel Elevator Inc., the company that serviced the elevators at 285 Madison Avenue, where the accident occurred.

The company maintains elevators at nearly a dozen prominent buildings in the city, according to Transel’s Web site, including the Graybar Building, the BMW Building and the Hippodrome Building. Additional clients listed on the Web site include Carnegie Hall and the Plaza Hotel.

For more:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/nyregion/elevator-that-killed-yr-executive-was-undergoing-maintenance-city-says.html?_r=1

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by | October 15, 2011 · 5:22 am

Hospitality Industry Liability Risks: Arizona Hotel Found Guilty Of "Negiligence" On Appeal In Death Of Guest As Judges Find "Intended Use Of Stairway Required Center Handrail"; Carpet "Camouflaged" Dangerous Condition

“…An expert for the family testified that construction plans for the hotel, as well as its floor plan, depicted a center handrail where Volner fell… The expert also said that based on the intended use and width of the stairway, as well as applicable city building codes, a center handrail was required…”

“…the pattern on the carpet “camouflaged’’ the stairs, exacerbating the dangerous condition created by the lack of a handrail…”

The state Court of Appeals has upheld a $2.4 million verdict against a Tucson hotel where a woman tripped, fell down the stairs and died.

In a unanimous ruling, the judges rejected arguments by the owners of the Viscount Hotel that evidence of subsequent injuries is irrelevant to whether the business was negligent in this specific incident. They also brushed aside claims by the attorneys for the hotel that such evidence was prejudicial and would unfairly sway jurors against the business.

 Court records show that 78-year-old Harriet Volner was at the hotel in 2007 to have breakfast with friends when she fell at the stairs leading into the hotel’s atrium. She hit her head, went into a coma and died five days later after being taken off life support.

Her four children sued. A jury issued a $3 million judgment. But jurors concluded that Volner was 20 percent liable for her own injuries, reducing the verdict to $2.4 million.

A former hotel employee said there had been a center handrail but it had been removed and the carpeting changed. And an expert witness hired by the hotel agreed that the building code required a center handrail and it was a violation to have removed it.

For more:  http://www.ahwatukee.com/news/valley_and_state/article_a9ac7f01-7345-5d2f-8ebd-89ae0aa1271e.html

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by | October 3, 2011 · 11:40 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: Two Workers Die Of Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Poisoning While Working On A Pump Storage Tank At A Maine Hotel

“…Autopsies of two workers who collapsed and died while repairing a submersible pump in a pump storage tank at a Kennebunkport, Maine, hotel on Sept. 27 reveals they were exposed to high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas… It is suspected that the men did not test the atmosphere before they entered the tank..”

 “…Hydrogen sulfide is given off by bacteria present in sewage and exposure quickly can lead to unconsciousness and death…”

The storage tank where the men were working is 9 feet below ground and approximately 4 feet high by 6 feet long by 5 feet wide. Neither man was wearing a respirator when the bodies were found.

Studley and Kemp were working near an employee of Nest and Sons, who was pumping out the underground tank. He left with a load of sewage and when he returned, the men were gone, even though their truck still was in the parking lot. At that point, a hotel employee reporting them missing and when pumping was resumed in the tank, one of the bodies surfaced. The tank was searched and the second body was found.

For more:  http://ehstoday.com/safety/confined_space_workers_killed_1003/

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by | June 19, 2011 · 7:16 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Safety Risks: Child Dies From Fall From 5th Floor Balcony Of A Florida Hotel; Balcony Had 4-Foot High Railing With Tightly-Spaced Bars

“…Family members said the girl was on the balcony with two adult relatives and was playing with an inflatable toy, Bernstein said. The toy became wedged in the railing and she slipped through and fell…”

“…detectives were trying to determine how the child could have fallen from the balcony, which is secured by a 4-foot-high railing with tightly spaced bars that extend to the floor…”

A toddler who fell from a fifth-floor balcony at an Oceanfront hotel Friday night died Saturday. The girl fell from a balcony at the Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort Hotel and landed on a patio of the Ammos Authentic Greek Cuisine restaurant, said Officer Adam Bernstein, a police spokesman.

The names of the toddler and other family members are being withheld to give the family time to inform relatives and friends, Bernstein said. The girl’s family lives in Staunton.

“Everything right now is pointing toward horrific accident,” Bernstein said. “At this point, there’s no indication of any foul play or neglect.”

For more:  http://hamptonroads.com/2011/06/child-dies-after-falling-oceanfront-balcony

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by | June 1, 2011 · 8:00 am

Hotel Industry Guest Safety Risks: Death Of Woman Who Fell From 10th Floor Window Of Atlanta Hotel Will Trigger Investigation Of Permitting And Inspection Of Hotel Window Replacements And Installation (Video)

“…how did two young women crash through windows of the Midtown W Hotel on Saturday, May 29th….One woman died, the other is severely injured…”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipR_7kvir8o]

“…The windows go floor to ceiling and do not appear to be double paned windows. There is a barrier about 40 inches up from the floor…The City of Atlanta says no permits were issued for new windows and no permit inspection was done for window installation…”

 

According to Fulton County property tax records, the building was constructed in 1974 and was taken over by Noble Investment Group from Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It then underwent a 50 million dollar renovation project in 2007.

The City of Atlanta says no permits were issued for new windows and no permit inspection was done for window installation. We’ve asked whether or not the existing windows would meet today’s safety standards. We are still waiting for a response.

“Just within an instant, they literally, flew out of the window,” Raymond Hamilton said as he describe how he watched the horrible scene early Saturday morning.

The fiancé of the woman who died has many questions. Even though he says he’s heard nothing from the Midtown W Hotel or its management he plans to continue to seek answers and so do we.

For more:  http://www.11alive.com/news/article/192882/40/Tragic-fall-at-W-Hotel-raises-window-safety-concerns–

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