NEWS

Lawsuit filed in Golden Sands Legionnaire's outbreak

Henry Culvyhouse
hculvyhous@dmg.gannett.com

A Florida couple filed a lawsuit against the Golden Sands Club Condominiums in Ocean City in connection with the 2015 Legionnaire's disease outbreak.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Maryland in Baltimore on Monday, is the second case pending against the condominiums in connection to a Legionnaire's disease outbreak in October 2015. Both suits allege the company had knowledge of hazardous conditions inside its 22-story building and failed to correct the issue.

Officials from The Golden Sands Condominiums were unable to be reached for this report Wednesday.

Legionnaire's disease is a form of pneumonia that is contracted through water mist or vapor containing a bacteria called Legionella. Every year, about 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized by the condition, with between 5 and 30 percent dying as a result of the infection.

In the latest suit, Mary Ann Budra and Ronald Budra of Bonita Springs, Florida, stated they were staying at the Golden Sands Condominiums between May and October 2015. Mary was hospitalized on Oct. 4, 2015, at Atlantic General Hospital where she tested positive for the illness in mid-December of that year, according to the suit.

Meanwhile, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene took a water sampling in November 2015, detecting the bacteria in a pump room and parts of the gymnasium on the 22nd floor, the Budras said.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention stated in a June 2016 report that most outbreaks of the disease were a result of inadequate water management, most frequently in resorts, hotels, long-term care facilities and hospitals.

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Since contracting the disease, Mary Budra has suffered from ongoing lung issues, eye injuries, hair loss, fatigue and other symptoms, according to the suit.

Ronnie and Clara Offer, of Culpeper, Virginia, filed a lawsuit in November 2016 on similar grounds.

Four cases were reported stemming from the condominium. Legionnaire's disease is not contagious and can generally be treated if medical care is sought immediately.

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Twitter: @hculvyhousedmv