Lawsuit alleges death caused by hotel pool

ROCHESTER--According to a lawsuit filed against Hart Hotels, Inc., The Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is responsible for the 2018 death of Virginia resident Vera E. DeWeese.
In July, 2018, DeWeese stayed at the hotel while attending a family wedding. During her stay, DeWeese and other family members spent time in the swimming pool and hot tub. After returning home to Virginia, DeWeese was admitted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia. On Aug. 2, 2018, after a week in the hospital, Vera DeWeese died from sepsis due to Legionella pneumonia.
Water samples collected from the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel pool and spa by the New York State Department of Health revealed Legionella DNA, and a spa culture confirmed the presence of Legionella.
The lawsuit claims damages for the economic loss, pain and suffering and for the wrongful death of Vera DeWeese caused by the hotel's gross negligence. "Sadly, Vera's death was avoidable and should never have happened," said Faraci Lange attorney Hadley Matarazzo, who is representing DeWeese's estate in the lawsuit. "Vera's family--her husband, four children and nine grandchildren--wants the hotel held accountable for this preventable tragedy."