A lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court last week links a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem last year to an unplugged computer and a faulty valve at a public health laboratory water tower. The outbreak resulted in seven fatalities and sickened more than 100 people.
The suit, brought by four construction workers who fell ill during the outbreak, asserts that the computer system intended to monitor water quality at the cooling tower was never connected to the internet. Without an active internet connection, the system’s automated controller failed to provide real-time alerts when water quality parameters signaled a lack of adequate biocide treatment, according to the complaint.
According to court papers, the primary cause of the outbreak was a broken valve that prevented proper flushing of contaminated water and the replenishment of clean water in the cooling tower. This mechanical failure allegedly allowed Legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, to proliferate rapidly, exposing workers onsite to dangerous conditions.
The plaintiffs—construction workers Nunzio Quinto, Thomas Dawson, Ahmad Ward, and Duane Headley—maintain that chlorine levels in the water dropped below normal for several days in mid-July despite routine treatments, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth.
The lawsuit names the city of New York and construction firm Skanska as defendants, accusing them of negligence in maintaining and monitoring the cooling tower. It further alleges that Skanska put the tower into use in May without notifying the city and only registered it days after the outbreak became apparent in late July.
A city Health Department report issued earlier this year identified multiple contributing factors to the Legionella proliferation, including a complex engineering design and improper startup procedures at the site near Harlem Hospital. The report confirmed eight confirmed Legionnaires’ cases linked directly to the laboratory tower and suggested the outbreak likely caused additional illnesses.
The water system at Harlem Hospital itself was also found to have contributed to the spread of the disease, according to city investigators.
Attorney Jared Scotto, representing the affected workers and over 50 victims and families, commended the city’s investigation but criticized the responsible parties for failing to maintain critical safety systems. “The people that were responsible for making sure that this dangerous machine was working as it should just weren’t paying attention,” Scotto said. “We believe that underpins the indifference to the community. We’re looking forward to getting justice for the individuals and the families that were affected by this.”
A spokesperson for Skanska acknowledged receipt of the complaint and stated they are reviewing its contents. City officials declined to comment on the pending legal action.