Lawsuit Filed Over Harlem Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

News Summary

A lawsuit has been initiated against Rising Sun Construction and Skanska USA, claiming responsibility for a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem that resulted in five deaths and over 100 illnesses. The lawsuit, filed by two construction workers who were hospitalized, emphasizes inadequate maintenance of cooling towers at Harlem Hospital. Despite recent disinfection efforts, concerns remain as several individuals continue to be treated for the illness. The incident has raised alarm regarding community health oversight in Harlem and calls for improved regulatory measures.

New York City – A lawsuit has been filed against Rising Sun Construction and Skanska USA, alleging that the companies are responsible for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem that resulted in five fatalities and over 100 reported illnesses. The legal action specifically addresses the failure of these companies to adequately maintain stormwater drainage from cooling towers at Harlem Hospital, allowing the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

The lawsuit, initiated on behalf of two construction workers, Duane Headley and Nunzio Quinto, who were hospitalized with the disease, highlights that the outbreak could have been prevented. Medical experts warn that the disease can manifest with flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, with an incubation period that may extend up to two weeks.

The first cases connected to this outbreak were diagnosed on July 22, following a series of heavy storms that occurred earlier that month. These storms reportedly led to the accumulation of untreated rainwater in the cooling towers at Harlem Hospital, creating an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria. The crisis has prompted community leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, to address the public concerning the health implications and the urgent need for enhanced community health oversight in Harlem.

New York City officials confirmed that Legionella bacteria had been identified in 12 cooling towers scattered across 10 buildings within Central Harlem. In response to the outbreak, all affected cooling towers have been disinfected and remediated as of last week. However, more than 14 individuals remain hospitalized due to the illness, underscoring the ongoing health concerns within the community.

Legal representatives for the affected workers are seeking damages that cover medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering incurred as a result of the outbreak. The attorney representing the workers has criticized the companies for their negligence, stating that such an outbreak should never have occurred and no lives ought to have been lost.

Mayor Eric Adams defended the city’s health response to the outbreak, asserting that Legionella can multiply quickly even when cooling tower tests return negative results. Meanwhile, the New York City Health Department continues its investigation to ascertain the origins of the outbreak and determine which particular cooling towers were responsible for the spread of Legionella.

This situation follows a series of past outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City, which led to regulatory changes aimed at improving public health safeguards. Specifically, mandates for more frequent testing of cooling towers every 90 days were implemented to help prevent future occurrences of such outbreaks.

The lawsuit and the ongoing community advocacy highlight the concerns over health safety and the perceived lack of attention to public health in Harlem. Advocates emphasize the need for more stringent safety measures to safeguard community health against potentially preventable health crises.

As the situation evolves, community outrage continues to grow, with demands for accountability and improved regulatory practices to ensure residents are better protected from similar outbreaks in the future. Both Rising Sun Construction and Skanska USA have been contacted for their comments regarding the lawsuit, with Skanska confirming their collaboration with health officials for necessary inspections.

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HERE Resources

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Strikes New York City

Additional Resources

• CBS News
• New York Post
• ABC 7 NY
• Gothamist
• Wikipedia: Legionnaires’ Disease