A couple of construction companies overlooked security concerns, causing a “completely preventable” outbreak of legionaries’ disease in New York City that killed at least five people and became ill to dozen more, according to demands presented on Wednesday.
Harlem’s outbreak dates back to July 26 with groups in the postal codes of Alto Manhattan 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, authorities said.
“This medical tragedy that caused the death of five citizens of Harlem, which we know, was a completely preventable outbreak,” said the lawyer of the plaintiffs, Ben Crump, to the journalists.
“It was completely preventable. And so, when corporations cut corners, tragedies like this occur, preventable tragedies, unnecessary tragedies, hospitalized people for days and weeks, having problems that cause permanent damage.”
Representatives of the defendants, Skanska USA Building, Inc. and Rising Sun Construction LLC. He could not be contacted immediately to comment on Wednesday.
The construction worker Duane Headley filed a complaint against Rising Sun, claiming that he was sick while working in a construction site in 506 Lenox Ave., near the Harlem hospital.
Rising Sun supposedly “created and allowed a defective, dangerous and/or dangerous condition” where Headley was working, the demand said.
Headley survived the disease but remains hospitalized, lawyers said.
Nunzio Quinto states that he was exposed to the Legionella bacteria while working in the Public Health Laboratory building in New York City, near the Harlem Hospital, in 40 W. 137th St.
Fifth, who is demanding Skanska, said that the defendant “breached his duty” to “remedy the colonization of the legiola of the distribution and/or water cooling systems,” according to his demand.
“I had no energy and I couldn’t do anything,” he told the journalists. “I am finally starting to get up and walk a little now and I can do basic things.”
While the plaintiffs seek financial compensation for their medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, fifth said that these civil actions will disregard reasons behind the outbreak.
“But my thing is that I want answers to what is happening,” said Fifth, along with Crump civil rights activists and Reverend to Sharpton. “Can’t I have a safe place to work? This is New York City.”
