A York man spent months fighting for his life in hospital after falling ill while on holiday – just hours after proposing to his girlfriend.
Steven Percy said he is “lucky to be alive” following the holiday which will be remembered for “all the wrong reasons”.
The 67-year-old was staying at a hotel in Montenegro when he suddenly started suffering from a fever – hours after proposing to his partner Karen, 53.
Mr Percy said he initially thought he had the flu but realised it “was something much more serious" as his symptoms became worse.
After returning to York, his health continued to decline and he became confused.
He was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease – a serious lung infection which can be caused from inhaling droplets of water from things such as air conditioning or hot tubs – and was placed in an induced coma.
Mr Percy then developed multiple organ failure and sepsis – a life-threatening condition where the body attacks itself in response to an infection.
He spent more than three months in hospital, a further fortnight in a neuro rehabilitation centre and needed to be fed by a tube for an additional two months because of issues with swallowing.
Mr Percy said the holiday, which cost more than £1,800, was “meant to be a moment we’d remember all of our lives, however, we’ll remember it now for all the wrong reasons”.
"I know I’m lucky to be alive but that’s little consolation for what Karen and I have been going through."
"I went on that holiday as the happiest man alive, but my life now is totally different,” he said.
"My recovery continues to be a difficult journey, but I’m determined not to give up and I want back the job, and the life, I had before.
“My lethargy and weakness are hard to cope with, as is the memory loss, and there’s so much concern about whether my lungs are permanently damaged.”
A spokesperson for the hotel where Mr Percy stayed said it denied “any liability or suggestion that the hotel, in any manner whatsoever, caused or contributed to the deterioration of Mr Percy’s health”.
“In particular, we refute any allegation that Mr Percy contracted Legionnaires’ disease during his stay at our establishment.”
Mr Percy has instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and whether it was linked to his holiday.
The hotel spokesperson said it will “take all appropriate legal measures to protect its reputation and interests against any unfounded or unsupported claims of liability in this matter”.
Jennifer Hodgson, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Steven’s account of his holiday and the aftermath of being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease is extremely worrying.
“We’ve dealt with many cases of people developing the disease, both in the UK and overseas.
"Legionnaires’ is a very serious condition that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
'No other cases of illness' during York man's stay, says hotel
The hotel spokesperson said it expresses “sincere regret regarding the unfortunate circumstances experienced by Mr Percy”.
“We genuinely hope that his medical condition has since improved and that he is able to resume his regular daily activities.
“However, we categorically deny any liability or suggestion that the hotel, in any manner whatsoever, caused or contributed to the deterioration of Mr Percy’s health.
“In particular, we refute any allegation that Mr Percy contracted Legionnaires’ disease during his stay at our establishment.”
They said the hotel operates in “full compliance with all applicable sanitary and safety regulations, including those pertaining to the prevention and control of Legionella bacteria, as established by relevant European Union directives”.
“We have adopted and consistently implemented rigorous protocols for the prevention and elimination of Legionella, which are subject to regular monitoring and enforcement.
“Furthermore, water quality analyses are routinely carried out by independent, accredited laboratories.
“These tests include screening for the presence of Legionella in taps, showers, jacuzzies, and swimming pools accessible to our guests.
“All results obtained prior to, during, and after Mr Percy’s stay confirm, unequivocally, the absence of Legionella bacteria at any tested location within the hotel.
"Additionally, considering the high occupancy of the hotel during the period in question – and the epidemiological nature of Legionnaires’ disease in cases involving active bacteria – we note that no other cases of illness were reported by any guests either during or after Mr Percy’s visit."
