Alabama Suit Blames Hotel for Legionnaire’s Disease

Two Jefferson County, Alabama, employees have filed lawsuits claiming they became seriously ill with Legionnaires’ disease as a result of using a hot tub at an Oxford hotel.

The lawsuits, filed last week in Calhoun County Circuit Court, say the men became ill from a stay in 2008 at the former Wingate Inn. The hotel became the Fairfield Inn and Suites in April. Wingate Inns International and Wyndham Worldwide Corp. are named as defendants.

The men’s attorney, Todd Wheeles, says they were sent to the area to help clean up after a tornado struck Heflin. He says the bacteria was in the mist produced by the hot tub, which he says had not been properly cleaned.

Attempts by The Anniston Star to reach the hotel’s owner were not successful.