One Woman Died After Suffering A Stroke As A Result Of Legionnaires’ Disease

Specialist Public Health lawyers representing the devastated family of a Liverpool woman who died from Legionnaires’ disease shortly after staying at the Feathers Hotel last summer have received an admission of civil liability from the Ludlow-based hotel.

Elaine Brown passed away aged 69 at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on August 26th after suffering a stroke as a result of Legionnaires’ disease, which emerged just days after she stayed at the hotel with her husband Graham on July 31st as part of a coach tour excursion.

The Feathers Hotel voluntarily closed after her death, prompting Public Health England (PHE) to release details of another case that emerged in April 2017, whereby another guest had contracted the infection after staying at the same hotel. Fortunately this guest, also from Merseyside, went on to make a full recovery. The PHE investigation is ongoing and their formal Outbreak Report is awaited.

Elaine’s family instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Health team to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, and to determine whether more could have been done to protect her, or indeed whether she and her husband should even have been allowed to stay at the hotel following the previous reports of the illness in April.

Now, their legal team at Irwin Mitchell have received an admission of liability for the civil claim from the hotel. This paves the way for a future settlement agreement for Elaine Brown’s family.

Jatinder Paul, an Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Elaine’s family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“It is over six months since Elaine passed away and her family remain understandably devastated and angry at their avoidable loss.

“Whilst we welcome the admission of liability by the Hotel as a positive step forward for the family in this legal action, ultimately the hotel’s decision to take responsibility for its failures cannot turn the time back and Graham has lost his dear wife.” Jatinder Paul - Partner

The legal experts at Irwin Mitchell have vast experience of acting for hundreds of victims of illness outbreaks in the UK and abroad, including successfully representing 17 people and three families of those who sadly lost their lives, who were affected by an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Stoke-on-Trent in 2012 which was linked to a hot tub display feature.

Jatinder added: 

Expert Opinion

“We have seen first-hand how incredibly serious Legionnaires’ disease can be and the huge impact it has on those who contract it.

“Following our involvement in the aftermath of the outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent six years ago, and this incident last year, it is our sincere hope that lessons will now finally be learned to ensure the public are kept safe from illnesses of this kind.” Jatinder Paul - Partner

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Legionnaires’ disease claims.