Disney Fighting Thousands In State Fines Over Legionnaires’ Outbreak
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the resort "did not follow the manufacturer’s cooling tower start-up maintenance and water treatment procedure to control outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease." Two employees were hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, which is why the agency is involved.
Los Angeles Times:
State Says Disney Failed To Properly Clean Cooling Towers Linked To Legionnaires' Outbreak; Disney Disputes Claims
In what became one of the nation’s biggest Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, 22 people fell sick with the dangerous lung infection last fall in Orange County, including one who died. Local health officials said the outbreak seemed connected to Disneyland, as 19 of the 22 people who were infected had visited the park. But they never pinpointed a cause of the infections. The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration in March cited the park and fined it more than $33,000 for failing to properly clean cooling equipment linked to the outbreak and for other related violations. Cal-OSHA didn't announce the fine. The Times requested and recently obtained the citation. (Karlamangla, 9/6)
In other news from across the state —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Longtime Medical Nonprofit Selected To Run San Diego Homeless Intake Center
San Diego officials have selected a longtime local healthcare provider to operate the city’s new homeless intake center, a universal starting point where the homeless can connect to counseling, housing assistance and other services. Family Health Centers of San Diego, which operates more than a dozen local clinics geared for low-income residents, was selected over four other nonprofits that applied to run the center when it opens as early as this fall. The nonprofit, which was founded 48 years ago in Barrio Logan, would receive $1.55 million each year for five years if the City Council approves the selection later this month. (Garrick, 9/6)
East Bay Times:
Alameda Care Facility Sued By Elderly Dementia Patient
An elderly woman with dementia is suing an Alameda care facility claiming she was illegally evicted and retaliated against for whistleblowing on her mistreatment. Ila Dicks, 77, has been living at the Oakmont of Mariner Point 24-hour care facility since October 2015. But according to a lawsuit filed last month in Sonoma County Superior Court, she alleges that since becoming a resident she has suffered from avoidable falls, including one where she was left on the floor for 30 minutes, has been unnecessarily chemically restrained, and had dental damage and other injures. The lawsuit alleges elder abuse, negligent hiring and supervision. (Ruggiero, 9/6)
Capital Public Radio:
Family Of Stephon Clark Seeks More Than $15 Million From Sacramento In Wrongful-Death Claim
The family of Stephon Clark is seeking damages "in excess of $15 million" for his death, according to the city of Sacramento. The city says the family filed a wrongful-death and negligence claim on Tuesday. It alleges the police officers who fatally shot Clark this past March caused the family harm and suffering. (Miller, 9/6)