Catharine Hudgens is suing the Rainbow Ranch Lodge in Montana after her husband, Lewis Hudgens, died from carbon monoxide poisoning while they were honeymooning at the lodge in January 2021. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants, including the general manager of the lodge, failed to inspect a boiler in the room adjacent to where the couple was staying. The couple had just been married in Florida and had only been married for less than a week at the time of the incident.
The complaint states that the couple ordered room service and watched a football game in their room on the first night of their stay. Between January 13 and 24, Hudgens’ sister called the lodge to check on the couple, but hotel staff allegedly failed to visit their room. On January 15, the general manager attempted to call the couple’s room and knocked on their door, only to find Lewis deceased on the bed and Catharine severely disoriented. The lawsuit alleges that holes drilled into the couple’s room allowed lethal amounts of carbon monoxide from the boiler room to seep through the wall, ultimately causing Lewis’s death.
The lawsuit further states that if Rainbow Ranch staff had checked on the couple as requested, Lewis would likely still be alive and Catharine would not have been injured. The couple suffered severe and lasting injuries, for which the estate and individuals who have wrongful death claims are entitled to compensation. Catharine is seeking damages for emotional distress, mental and physical pain and suffering, loss of established course of life, and loss of earning capacity. The lawsuit is currently in trial, and both parties are being represented by their respective legal teams.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious and potentially deadly issue, and it is crucial for property owners and managers to properly maintain and inspect boilers and other potential sources of carbon monoxide leaks to prevent tragedies like this one from happening. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspections to ensure the safety of guests and residents.
The lawsuit highlights the devastating impact of negligence in maintaining property safety standards and the tragic consequences that can result from such oversights. The case also sheds light on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of raising awareness about the risks and implementing proper safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The trial will likely bring further attention to these important issues and may result in changes to regulations and protocols to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
