News Summary
A construction worker has initiated legal action against Skanska USA for contracting Legionnaires’ disease on a job site linked to a summer outbreak in Harlem. This lawsuit is the third against the company, alleging negligence in safety measures, particularly regarding a cooling tower identified as a source of the bacteria. The outbreak resulted in numerous deaths and hospitalizations, raising concerns over public health regulations and accountability in the construction industry. The Spokesperson for Skanska expressed condolences but has withheld comments on the pending litigation.
New York City – A construction worker has filed a lawsuit against Skanska USA after contracting Legionnaires’ disease while working on a site linked to a summer outbreak in Harlem. This lawsuit marks the third legal action taken against Skanska by workers who allege the company failed to ensure their safety at the construction site. The claims include accusations that Skanska did not conduct proper testing, remediation, and ventilation of a cooling tower identified as a source of the Legionella bacteria.
The outbreak, declared over last month, resulted in at least 70 deaths and 90 hospitalizations, with 114 confirmed infections. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had previously cited Skanska for failing to register the cooling tower, which violates city regulations. In August, health officials identified two cooling towers as the outbreak’s sources: one at Harlem Hospital Center and another at the Skanska-managed construction site where a new public health laboratory is being built.
Thomas Dawson, the affected construction worker, was employed by Utopia Construction of NY, a subcontractor working on the Skanska project. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, along with legal representatives from Weitz & Luxenberg, have filed claims with the city on behalf of the families of the victims, seeking $20 million in damages for each family affected by the outbreak. They have also filed 15 additional claims for Harlem residents who contracted the disease, each seeking $10 million from the city.
Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the city’s reported Legionnaires’ cases, suggesting that the actual number may be higher, as some individuals exhibiting symptoms could have been misdiagnosed with pneumonia. Prominent figures, including Rev. Al Sharpton, have criticized the city for failing to protect the health of Harlem residents during this outbreak.
A spokesperson for Skanska expressed condolences for those affected but has refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation. In response to the lawsuits, William Fowler, a spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams, confirmed that the city would review the legal claims, while reiterating the administration’s swift action to control the outbreak.
Families of those who died during the outbreak, including the family of a victim named Bruce Scott, have reported being misinformed about the cause of their loved ones’ deaths, as many were initially diagnosed with pneumonia. Attorneys representing the victims claim that Skanska’s failure to register a newly installed cooling tower at Harlem Hospital deprived the city of necessary inspections that might have prevented this deadly outbreak.
Moreover, a fourth lawsuit related to the outbreak is anticipated, reflecting the ongoing legal repercussions stemming from this public health crisis. Skanska’s involvement in a major $1.6 billion contract to redevelop Kips Bay, which includes the relocation of the public health laboratory site, further complicates the situation as more scrutiny is placed on the company’s practices and responsibilities.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the repercussions of the Harlem Legionnaires’ disease outbreak highlight significant issues surrounding construction site safety, public health regulations, and the impact of such diseases on vulnerable communities. It remains to be seen how these suits and investigations will shape the accountability of contractors like Skanska and direct future health and safety policies in New York City.
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Additional Resources
- New York Daily News
- Wikipedia: Legionnaires’ disease
- New York Post
- Google Search: Legionnaires disease outbreak Harlem
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Legionnaires disease
- ABC7 New York
- Google News: Legionnaires disease lawsuits
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, 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 New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
