Hotel pool with no chlorine gives woman ‘life-altering' infection, MI attorney says
The lawsuit was filed against Residence Inn Downtown Ann Arbor and its parent company, First Martin Corporation.
McClatchy News reached out for comment July 31 but did not immediately hear back.
On June 24, 23-year-old Alexis Williams went swimming in a pool while staying at the Residence Inn, according to a civil complaint.
While swimming, Williams scraped her leg below her knee, causing her to be 'left with the life-altering, antibiotic-resistant infection MRSA,' the lawsuit and her attorney, Ven Johnson, said.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is caused by staph bacteria and is resistant to many antibiotics that typically treat staph infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Williams had to have three surgeries, is still on IV antibiotics, needs at-home nursing care, and has to use a leg brace and a walker, Johnson told McClatchy News.
According to the lawsuit, the hotel was unkempt and not up to standard.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy took water samples from the pool both before and after Williams' injury, and results showed 'zero chlorine, high pH levels and dangerous bacteria levels,' according to Johnson.
'The hotel had these test results but chose to ignore them and keep the pool open. This was not an accident but a blatant disregard for public safety,' Johnson said.
The hotel did not shut the pool down or warn guests about the dangers from swimming in its 'filthy pool,' the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit is asking for over $25,000 in damages.
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