The Feathers Hotel: Family instructs solicitors over Legionnaires death
The family of a woman who died from Legionnaires’ disease shortly after staying at a Shropshire hotel have asked solicitors to investigate the circumstances of her death.
Elaine Brown, who was 69, died at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on August 26 after suffering a stroke as a result of the disease.
Her death came after she stayed at the Feathers Hotel in Ludlow with her husband Graham on July 31 as part of a coach tour excursion.
The Feathers was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure on September 13 after advice from Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands and Shropshire Council.
Laboratory test results established links between Legionella bacteria found in water samples from the hotel plumbing and two separate confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in two guests, including Mrs Brown, who had stayed at the hotel.
Public Health England (PHE) released details of another case that emerged in April, whereby another former guest had contracted the illness after staying at the same hotel.
The other guest, also from Merseyside, went on to make a full recovery.
PHE is continuing its investigation into the outbreak but last week it was revealed that the hotel could re-open on November 13 if the most recent samples come back clear.
Mrs Brown's family have now instructed legal firm Irwin Mitchell’s to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, and to found out if more could have been done to protect her.
Neil Edwards, Mrs Brown's son, said: “We all miss mum so much and it is an incredibly emotional time for the entire family. While we lived away from each other, barely a week would go by when I would not call her to catch up on things, and even now I still get the urge to pick up the phone and give her a ring. It is hard to believe she has gone.
“While nothing will ever change what has happened, we hope that by taking this action we can get the justice her incredible life deserves, while also ensuring that no other family has to endure the heartbreak that we are currently facing.”
Jatinder Paul, the associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell representing Elaine’s family, said: “It is only weeks since Elaine passed away and her family remain understandably devastated and angry at their avoidable loss.
“Our clients have many questions relating to her death and, following our instruction, we are determined to help them get the answers they deserve.
“Legionnaires’ disease is an incredibly serious illness which, as this case demonstrates, can have a huge impact on those who contract it.
“Following our involvement in the aftermath of the outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent five years ago, it was our sincere hope that lessons would be learnt from that outbreak and these recent problems suggest there remains much to learn in terms of keeping the public safe from illnesses of this kind."
The Feathers were unavailable for comment.
