A new lawsuit has been filed against two construction companies and the city of New York for allegedly failing to protect workers and residents from Legionnaires’ disease. Five people died and over 100 others were sickened after a heavy rainstorm in July caused warm water to stagnate in cooling towers at Harlem Hospital.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of a construction worker who contracted the disease, alleges that the companies failed to properly clean stormwater from the towers, allowing Legionella bacteria to grow and spread. The construction worker described symptoms including a rash, breathing problems, and internal bleeding.
Attorney Ben Crump says the outbreak was “completely preventable” and that no one should have died or been sickened. Rev. Al Sharpton also spoke out against the companies, saying they dropped their responsibility when it came to protecting workers and residents.
The city’s health department has already taken steps to inspect and disinfect the cooling towers, and Skanska USA says it has cooperated with the department to ensure the safety of its workers and the surrounding public. The lawsuits are seeking compensation for victims and a change in how things are done to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-legionnaires-outbreak-new-lawsuit-accuses-construction-companies-negligence-harlem-hospital/17596612