A lawsuit has been brought against Rainbow Ranch Lodge in Big Sky, Montana, and several plumbing contractors by Catharine Hudgens due to her husband’s death from carbon monoxide poisoning. This case has become a focal point of national scrutiny.
The incident occurred in January 2021, sparking debate about safety measures and liabilities within the hospitality industry.
Alabama newlyweds Catharine and Lewis Hudgens were on their honeymoon at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge when the fatal incident occurred. Lewis Hudgens, 59, was found dead from carbon monoxide inhalation in their hotel room on January 15, while Catharine Hudgens was discovered severely sick and disoriented. The couple had just married in Florida on January 9, 2021, and arrived in Montana for their honeymoon on January 11.
The lawsuit, lodged in Gallatin County District Court, accuses the hotel and the contractors responsible for a propane-fueled boiler’s installation of wrongful death and negligence. The complaint attributes Lewis Hudgens’ death to the carbon monoxide produced by this boiler, which was installed to heat a hot tub near the couple’s suite.
The legal action details several allegations, including insufficient ventilation of the boiler room and inadequate carbon monoxide monitoring. It points out that holes drilled into the concrete wall between the boiler room and the Hudgens’ suite allowed deadly levels of carbon monoxide to leak into their room.
An alarming detail from the case is the inaction of the hotel staff despite multiple wellness check requests made by Catharine Hudgens’ sister, who was worried about the couple. The complaint states, “Had Rainbow Ranch staff checked on the Hudgens as requested, it is likely Lew would be alive and Catharine would not have been injured.”
Catharine Hudgens is now seeking unspecified damages for the loss of her husband and her experiences. The case has not only shed light on the Hudgens’ tragic situation but also highlighted broader issues related to hotel safety and the significance of carbon monoxide detection and prevention.
No public responses to the allegations in the lawsuit have been made by Rainbow Ranch Lodge or the implicated contractors yet. The trial has started in Gallatin County District Court and is expected to explore the boiler’s installation and maintenance details, and the hotel staff’s response to the crisis.
This lawsuit emphasizes the imperative need for rigorous safety procedures and regular maintenance inspections in hotels, particularly concerning gas-powered appliances. It also serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats posed by carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas often referred to as the “silent killer”.
