In a case that has garnered national attention, a woman named Catharine Hudgens has taken legal action against the Rainbow Ranch Lodge in Big Sky, Montana, and several plumbing contractors over the death of her husband, Lewis Hudgens, due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The incident, which occurred in January 2021, has raised questions about safety standards and responsibilities within the hospitality industry.
Catharine and Lewis Hudgens, newlyweds from Alabama, were celebrating their honeymoon at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge when the tragedy struck. On January 15, Lewis Hudgens, 59, was found dead in his hotel room from carbon monoxide exposure, with Catharine Hudgens found severely ill and disoriented alongside him. The couple had married in Florida on January 9, 2021, before traveling to Montana for their honeymoon on January 11.
The lawsuit, filed in Gallatin County District Court, alleges wrongful death and negligence on the part of the hotel and the contractors responsible for the installation of a propane-fueled boiler. According to the complaint, the boiler, which was installed to heat an outdoor hot tub adjacent to the couple’s honeymoon suite, was the source of the carbon monoxide that led to Lewis Hudgens’ death.
The legal document outlines several key allegations, including improper ventilation of the boiler room and inadequate monitoring of carbon monoxide levels. It also highlights that holes drilled into the concrete wall separating the boiler room from the Hudgens’ room allowed lethal levels of carbon monoxide to seep into their living space.
One of the more poignant details from the case involves Catharine Hudgens’ sister, who, concerned for the couple’s well-being, requested a wellness check from the hotel staff. Despite these requests, no one from the hotel visited the room until it was too late.
“Had Rainbow Ranch staff checked on the Hudgens as requested, it is likely Lew would be alive and Catharine would not have been injured,” states the complaint.
Catharine Hudgens is now seeking unspecified damages for the loss of her husband and the trauma she endured. The case has not only brought attention to the specific circumstances surrounding the Hudgens’ tragedy but also to broader concerns regarding hotel safety and the importance of carbon monoxide detection and prevention.
Rainbow Ranch Lodge and the implicated contractors have yet to publicly respond to the allegations made in the lawsuit. The trial, which began in Gallatin County District Court, is expected to delve into the details of the installation and maintenance of the boiler, as well as the actions taken by hotel staff in response to the emergency.
This lawsuit underscores the critical need for stringent safety protocols and regular maintenance checks in hotels and similar establishments, particularly when it comes to gas-powered appliances. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of carbon monoxide, often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its odorless, colorless nature.
