Wrongful Death Suit Over 2022 Napa Legionnaires' Outbreak Heads to Trial

The complaint alleges hotel owners and maintenance companies failed to properly maintain water systems, leading to the deadly outbreak.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray photograph revealing the internal structure of a hotel cooling tower, with glowing lines and shapes representing the water systems and components that contributed to the Legionnaires' disease outbreak.An X-ray view of the hotel's cooling tower exposes the internal systems that failed, allowing deadly Legionella bacteria to spread and infect the surrounding community.Napa Today

A wrongful death lawsuit filed after a 2022 Legionnaires' disease outbreak in downtown Napa that killed one person and hospitalized 16 more is headed to trial next week. The complaint alleges those involved in maintaining a Hilton hotel's decorative pond and cooling tower failed to do so, allowing Legionella bacteria to grow and spread into the surrounding community.

Why it matters

Legionnaires' disease outbreaks can have devastating public health consequences, and this case highlights the importance of proper water system maintenance by hotels and other facilities to prevent the growth and spread of dangerous bacteria.

The details

The plaintiffs are the spouse and two children of David Ward, who died at age 66 after contracting Legionnaires' disease on July 23, 2022. The complaint names several entities associated with the hotel, then known as Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley, as defendants, alleging they failed to conduct routine testing, maintain detailed records, and respond quickly to the outbreak.

  • The Legionnaires' disease outbreak occurred between July 2022 and August 2022.
  • The wrongful death lawsuit was originally filed in January 2023.
  • Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026.
  • The trial is expected to last about three weeks.

The players

Coombs & Dulap

The Napa-based law firm representing the plaintiffs in the wrongful death lawsuit.

David Ward

A 66-year-old Napa resident who died from Legionnaires' disease after contracting it on July 23, 2022.

Mani NVR Napa LLC

One of the defendants named in the lawsuit, associated with the hotel's ownership and maintenance.

Hilton Franchise Holding LLC

One of the defendants named in the lawsuit, associated with the hotel's franchise and operations.

Chem-aqua Inc.

One of the defendants named in the lawsuit, associated with the hotel's water system maintenance.

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What’s next

Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026, and the trial is expected to last about three weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of proper water system maintenance by hotels and other facilities to prevent the growth and spread of dangerous bacteria like Legionella, which can have devastating public health consequences if not addressed promptly and effectively.