Michigan couple sues McHenry hotel over Legionnaires' disease

A Michigan man and his wife are suing a McHenry hotel in federal court, claiming he contracted Legionnaires' disease in 2008 while using the inn's hot tub.

Albert J. Kooi and Judith Kooi of Allegan County, Mich., are seeking undisclosed damages from the Hampton Inn in McHenry and its parent company, Hilton Hotels, to cover medical bills and "pain, suffering, mental anguish and emotional anguish" stemming from his affliction.

A manager at the hotel was not available for comment Saturday. A call to Hilton public relations staff was not immediately returned.

According to the suit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Rockford, Kooi used a hot tub in the hotel's pool area while a guest May 24, 2008. As a result, the suit states, he contracted the potentially fatal bacterial disease characterized by high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches and headaches.

McHenry County health officials said in 2008 that at least five people contracted the disease by using the hotel's hot tub between May 9 and June 4 of that year.

The Koois' suit does not specify the damages sought, but instead asks for "an amount which will adequately and fairly compensate them for their losses, suffering and damages."