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Harlem Legionnaires’ Families File Wrongful-Death Claims, Sue Skanska Over Unregistered Cooling Tower

Officials now back monthly cooling‑tower testing after tracing the cluster to towers at Harlem Hospital plus a nearby construction site.

Overview

  • Civil rights leaders Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump announced new suits against Skanska and filed at least 17 notices of claim against New York City, including multiple wrongful-death claims.
  • City health officials confirmed 114 cases, 90 hospitalizations and seven deaths tied to the Central Harlem outbreak declared over in late August.
  • Deputy environmental health officials acknowledged the cooling tower overseen by Skanska at 40 West 137th Street was not registered as required under city law.
  • Skanska said it worked with the Health Department to disinfect its tower and would not discuss pending litigation, offering condolences to affected families.
  • Victims’ attorneys allege the death toll is undercounted and cite delayed diagnoses and pneumonia mislabeling, while City Hall supports cutting routine cooling‑tower testing intervals from 90 to 30 days.