A Notice of Claim was mailed to the City Manager of Saratoga Springs today, on behalf of a victim of the recent Campylobacter outbreak linked to the city’s drinking water supply. Mrs. Niki Diaz is the claimant, and is represented by Drew Falkenstein of the Seattle-based outbreak law firm Marler Clark, Jared Faerber of the Faerber Law Firm, and Dustin Lance of the Lance Firm. Today’s filing gives the City and its public works department official notice that Mrs. Diaz, through her attorneys, intends to take legal action for the injuries that she suffered.
The City of Saratoga Springs issued a boil water notice to the residents of the northern section of the city after it was discovered that Campylobacter in the water was making residents ill. The order began on May 13 and remains in place as the City works to eliminate the pathogenic bacteria from the water.
Mrs. Diaz fell ill on May 5, 2010 with gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. She visited her doctor, but was later forced to seek emergency hospital care. Additionally, she suffered a reaction to the antibiotics she was given. She continues to need medical care as she recovers from her Campylobacter infection.
At least seven others have been confirmed ill with Campylobacter infections, and many others suffered without confirmed diagnoses due to the city water contaminated with Campylobacter.
“We should be able to trust the water in our faucets,” said Mrs. Diaz’s attorney, R. Drew Falkenstein. “We hope that Saratoga Springs will honor the valid claims of the many sick Saratoga Springs residents who entrusted the handling of their water supply to the City.”