Lawsuits Filed Over Deadly Harlem Legionnaires' Outbreak Linked to Construction Sites

Legionnaires' Outbreak and Lawsuits

• 💔 Five people have died and over a hundred have been sickened in a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Harlem.
• ⚡ Two new lawsuits have been filed, with construction workers claiming they were exposed to unsafe conditions on the job.

Worker's Experience and Legal Claims

• 👨‍🔧 Nil Quinto, an electrician, describes getting severely ill while working at a site next to Harlem Hospital, initially mistaking his symptoms for food poisoning.
• 🏥 Quinto is suing Scansa USA Building Inc., alleging the company failed to properly maintain cooling towers, which allowed the bacteria to spread.
• ⚠️ Another construction worker, Dwayne Hedley, is suing Rising Sun Construction LLC for allegedly ignoring unsafe conditions and endangering workers.

Company Responses and Investigation

• 💬 A spokesperson for Scansa stated they cannot comment on pending litigation but have fully cooperated with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
• 🏢 The company added they will continue necessary communication procedures to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
• 🔍 Attorneys believe the outbreak was preventable and traced to a dozen cooling towers across central Harlem.

Community Concerns and Advocacy

• 🏘️ Advocates express concern that the outbreak is concentrated in Harlem and that the community has been ignored.
• 📢 They emphasize the need for Harlem to receive the same attention and respect as other parts of New York.
• 🗣️ Advocates are encouraging other sick workers to come forward, despite fears of job loss, due to concerns for their lives.

Ongoing Health Impacts

• 😥 Nil Quinto continues to deal with lingering symptoms, including pain and a rash, indicating a long recovery process.