Lawsuit alleges wrongful death of patient after Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis at UPMC Mercy
WTAE • • health
Key Points:
- Barbara Primiero has filed a lawsuit against UPMC Mercy Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Physicians, and two doctors, alleging negligence and wrongful death after her husband, Reno Primiero, contracted and died from Legionnaires’ disease while hospitalized.
- Reno Primiero was initially admitted on November 4, 2024, for a swollen arm and later developed symptoms including fever, cough, and pneumonia, ultimately diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease before his death on November 23, 2024.
- The lawsuit claims the hospital failed to maintain a safe environment and did not timely or adequately treat Reno’s infection, despite knowing he was immunosuppressed and vulnerable to Legionnaires’ disease.
- UPMC Mercy responded by stating they reported positive Legionella cases to the Allegheny County Health Department, which conducted testing on November 20, 2024, that returned negative for Legionella pneumophila.
