Lawsuit alleges hotel pool outbreak sickened Brunswick children

A lawsuit filed in Cumberland County Superior Court alleges at least 23 people, most of them children, became ill after using the indoor pool at the Best Western Plus in Brunswick during March 3–5, 2023. The complaint, filed by Garmey Law, says the hotel, owned by Giri Hotel Management / Giri Brunswick, had a history of health inspection violations and failed to follow rules meant to keep swimmers safe.

The complaint points to prior inspections dating to January 2022 that cited critical deficiencies, including the absence of a certified pool operator, a malfunctioning disinfectant feeder, gaps in chlorine testing and recordkeeping, and other operational failures. Plaintiffs report developing infections identified as pseudomonas aeruginosa and experiencing symptoms that lasted for weeks or months afterward.

State inspectors later declared the pool an imminent health hazard during March 2023 inspections. The complaint alleges hotel staff had chlorinated or emptied the pool before investigators could collect water samples, preventing testing that might have confirmed the bacteria in pool water at the time of the outbreak. State and federal health agencies later classified the March 2023 episode as an outbreak, and a January 2024 review found inadequate chlorine maintenance the most likely contributing factor.

The suit seeks damages on behalf of the families and contends the hotel ignored regulations designed to protect guests, including children who are especially vulnerable to recreational water illnesses. Management for Giri Hotel Management / Giri Brunswick did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

For Sagadahoc County residents, the case raises questions about hotel oversight, public safety and the enforcement of pool standards. Families who used the Brunswick hotel pool during the weekend in question or who have lingering health concerns may want to consult their health care provider and report symptoms of ear, skin, eye or respiratory infection to public health authorities. Pseudomonas infections can present as ear infections, skin rashes or more serious illness in some people, and they can require medical treatment.

The lawsuit also underscores how routine maintenance and recordkeeping - such as daily chlorine testing and a certified operator on duty - serve as frontline protections for swimmers. Local parents, school groups and visiting families who rely on hotel pools for recreation should expect transparent inspection records and prompt responses when issues are identified.

As the case moves through Cumberland County Superior Court, it will test whether documented inspection lapses rise to the level of negligence alleged by the plaintiffs. For now, the incident is a reminder that small towns and tourist destinations like Brunswick depend on consistent health enforcement to keep visitors and residents safe.