Families of victims and survivors of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem last year have filed three separate lawsuits against New York City, alleging negligence in the maintenance of city-owned buildings. The legal actions were announced Thursday during a news conference led by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and activist Reverend Al Sharpton.

The lawsuits relate to an outbreak in 2025 that infected more than 100 people and resulted in seven deaths. Five of those fatalities are covered by a wrongful-death claim brought by the families of Lakisha Plowden’s late fiancé Bruce Scott, as well as Ronald Israel, Clara Rodriguez, Edgar Tatum Jr., and Rachel Tew. Plowden spoke emotionally at the event, recalling Scott’s final moments at Harlem Hospital, where he succumbed to the disease.

The lawsuits assert that the city, along with contractors and affiliated entities, allowed Legionella bacteria to proliferate in cooling towers located atop the city’s Public Health Lab and Harlem Hospital — both city-owned facilities linked to the outbreak. The legal filings accuse New York City, New York City Health + Hospitals, the Economic Development Corporation, construction company Skanska USA Building, and several contractors of negligence and maintaining a public nuisance.

Two of the lawsuits focus on survivors of the outbreak who suffered illness but survived, while the third centers on wrongful deaths. The litigation continues efforts initiated last year by Crump and Sharpton that held then-Mayor Eric Adams’ administration responsible for inadequate oversight of city infrastructure.

Crump urged current Mayor Aidan Mamdani to address the issue and support affected families, emphasizing accountability regardless of the previous administration’s role. He also referenced a new cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases on the Upper East Side this summer that has resulted in at least seven deaths and dozens more illnesses. Mamdani’s administration has faced criticism for its response to this recent outbreak.

A spokesperson for the city’s law department stated that municipal officials have been diligent in their efforts to protect residents from Legionnaires’ disease and are committed to addressing public health concerns. The ongoing legal proceedings highlight persistent challenges in controlling Legionella risks within public building infrastructure in New York City.