A patient filed a lawsuit against Rush Oak Park (Ill.) Hospital Aug. 15, claiming she contracted Legionnaires' disease in July due to the hospital's negligence in responding to the presence of Legionella bacteria, according to PBS affiliate WTTW.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Joyce Walker, alleges hospital staff were aware of the bacteria's presence in May and reported it to the state.
Despite this knowledge, the hospital failed to take "appropriate control measures" to ensure the bacteria had been eliminated prior to Ms. Walker's stay in July, the lawsuit says. The suit also claims the hospital never informed Ms. Walker that she had been exposed to Legionella.
Ms. Walker is one of two Rush Oak Park Hospital patients who contracted Legionnaires' in July. As of late last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health said it was still investigating the source of the illnesses.
A Rush Oak Park spokesperson told WTTW the hospital does not comment on pending litigation.