2nd lawsuit filed after Mount Carmel Grove City Legionella outbreak
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A second lawsuit has been filed — and a third is pending — after a recent Legionella bacteria outbreak at Mount Carmel Grove City hospital.
In the latest complaint filed this morning, attorney David Shroyer alleges this his client, Anna Hillis, was visiting a patient at Mount Carmel Grove City between May 14 and May 16. It’s believed she contracted the Legionella bacteria while visiting him.
“I was shocked. I wasn't sure how serious it really was until they started talking about it,” Anna Hillis told reporters Friday.
As 10 Investigates first reported Thursday, the hospital says it neglected to adequately disinfect and test its water supply in the newly-constructed Mount Carmel Grove City. The hospital was supposed to open in February but construction issues caused a delay.
Hospital president Sean McKibben told 10 Investigates Thursday that floors that were disinfected and treated in February were not re-tested again in April when the hospital opened.
The hospital’s hot water supply is being blamed as the source of the outbreak. The hospital says it first learned of a concern about Legionella on May 15 but additional testing was needed to confirm the probable cases of Legionella. The hospital now says its water supply is safe after installing a permanent disinfection unit.
The outbreak infected 16 people including patients, visitors and employees and is linked to one death.