Victoria Martin, a former patient at University of Washington Medical Center, served the Seattle-based hospital with a damages claim Tuesday after she contracted Legionnaires' disease after undergoing a heart transplant at the hospital last month.
Ms. Martin had to remain in the hospital for several weeks to recover from the illness, a serious form of pneumonia, according to a statement from her law firm.
She is one of five UW Medical Center patients who recently contracted Legionnaires' disease while hospitalized at the hospital's Cascade Tower. Two of those five patients have died.
An investigation found sinks and ice machines in the hospital's Cascade Tower tested positive for Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' disease. Additionally, heater-cooler devices used during cardiac surgery also tested positive for the bacteria.
The damages claim launches a 60-day waiting period before Ms. Martin can file a lawsuit against the hospital, which is a public institution. The waiting period allows for more investigation into the case, according to Luvera Law Firm's statement.
"We are working to uncover the truth — whether a medical device was involved, whether UW Medicine followed protocol for sterilization and cleaning, and whether the device manufacturer was aware of the issue," Ralph Brindley with Luvera Law Firm said in the statement.
Currently, there have been no confirmed reports of Legionella transmission from heater-cooler devices, according to a statement from UW Medicine.
In an emailed comment about the damages claim, UW Medical Center said it could not comment on the case because of the potential pending litigation. "We wish Ms. Martin the best in her continued recovery," the statement reads.