News Summary
A lawsuit has been filed against Rising Sun Construction and Skanska USA after a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem left five dead and over 100 ill. The legal action, initiated by affected workers, claims negligence in maintaining cooling towers at Harlem Hospital allowed Legionella bacteria to flourish. Community leaders express concern over public health, as the outbreak highlights the need for stricter safety measures and improved health oversight in Harlem. Authorities have confirmed Legionella presence in multiple cooling towers, with ongoing investigations into the outbreak’s origins and impacts.
New York City – A lawsuit has been filed against two construction companies, Rising Sun Construction and Skanska USA, following a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem that resulted in five deaths and over 100 illnesses among residents. The legal action claims that the companies neglected to properly clean stormwater from cooling towers at Harlem Hospital, which created a conducive environment for the growth of Legionella bacteria.
The lawsuit is specifically initiated on behalf of two construction workers, Duane Headley and Nunzio Quinto, who were hospitalized after contracting Legionnaires’ disease during the outbreak. Their attorney emphasized that the outbreak was avoidable and that the loss of life and suffering experienced by many could have been prevented.
Concerned community leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, have voiced their worries about the outbreak and its implications for public health in Harlem. Reports indicate that the cooling towers at Harlem Hospital accumulated untreated rainwater following severe storms in July, generating ideal conditions for the bacteria to thrive. The first diagnoses linked to the outbreak occurred on July 22, revealing symptoms that can resemble flu-like illnesses, such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, with potential incubation periods of up to two weeks.
As of now, authorities confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in 12 cooling towers across 10 buildings within Central Harlem. More than 14 individuals are currently hospitalized due to the outbreak, and all implicated cooling towers have undergone disinfection and remediation measures as of last week.
The lawsuits are primarily aimed at recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering of the affected workers. City officials have acknowledged the growing concern over community health in Harlem, suggesting that past attentiveness has been lacking. Historical data indicates that previous Legionnaires’ outbreaks in New York City have led to regulatory changes, including new mandates for more frequent testing of cooling towers every 90 days.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended the city’s health response, noting that Legionella can multiply rapidly even in instances where prior tests return negative results. In response to the outbreak, the Health Department continues to investigate its origins, working to identify which specific cooling towers contributed to the illnesses.
In light of these events, advocates like Ella Cortez have raised alarms about the need for enhanced safety measures and greater focus on health matters within the Harlem community to prevent similar outbreaks in the future. As the situation develops, the legal proceedings against Rising Sun Construction and Skanska USA remain ongoing, with calls for accountability growing louder among community members.
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Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
