Healthcare facilities can be found in almost every community around the country. From hospitals and doctors’ offices to treatment/rehab centers and veterinary clinics, these insureds have significant environmental exposures. Here are some examples of real-life pollution releases in healthcare settings, including mold, spills, and more.

5 hospitals facing mold issues this year 

San Diego Haz Mat Team responds to hazardous material spill at veterinary hospital in Oceanside

IDPH Investigates Legionella Possibly Associated With Rush Oak Park Hospital 

Gas cannister explosion intensifies fire at NW Austin dental office

Chemical spill forces Mount Sinai Hospital evacuation 

Families of patients exposed to mold at Seattle Children’s awarded damages

Environmental Insurance Claims for Healthcare Facilities

• When legionella was discovered in the water supply system of a hospital, an entire hospital wing had to be evacuated and the patients were removed until the water was treated for legionella. A number of the patients made claims against the hospital for legionella exposure.
• A hospital and contractor were sued by patients claiming that they were exposed to aspergillus mold. The contractor had been hired to conduct HVAC repairs. In spite of the fact that the hospital had taken precautions and not conducted medical procedures during the HVAC repairs, the hospital operating room was identified as the source of the mold. The hospital and contractor both contributed to settlement of the claims.
• During the application of concrete sealant to a doctor’s office parking lot, fumes from the sealant went into the air handling system of the building. Several patients  and staff were overcome by fumes and filed lawsuits against both the contractor and medical office alleging over $1,000,000 in damages.
• The EPA ordered a hospital to stop applying disinfectants using a fogging system in ambulances. The EPA had reason to believe that workers (as well as patients) were getting exposed to pesticides and that this was a misuse of disinfectants.
• The family of a girl who died from a fungus infection after construction activities at a New York City hospital sued the hospital and the project construction manager for $5 million. A number of other families also came forward with similar information about their children who were patients at the hospital.
• A lawsuit was filed by the families of three pediatric cancer patients in Tampa, FL against a hospital. It alleged that their children contracted fungal infections as a result of construction activities conducted at the hospital and that the hospital failed to properly seal off the area under construction. The attorney for the families stated that it was believed that dust particles with fungus attached became airborne and migrated into the patient rooms. The hospital contended that they had taken measures to reduce infections by using barriers around the construction area, filtering the air, and monitoring their ventilation system.

For more information on coverage for healthcare facilities, contact us.