NEW YORK, NY — Illinois officials have confirmed a new case of Legionnaires’ disease at a state-run healthcare facility, prompting renewed concerns about water safety and infection prevention in government-operated institutions.

On January 20, the Illinois Departments of Public Health and Human Services announced that a resident at the Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee was diagnosed with the potentially deadly respiratory illness. While the patient’s condition has not been disclosed due to privacy laws, state agencies confirmed that water systems at the facility have been tested and results are pending.

The departments said they are continuing to monitor residents and staff for symptoms and are working with employees to implement additional safety measures.

The Shapiro Developmental Center provides care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of whom also have complex medical or behavioral needs. It is considered the largest residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in the United States.

Public health experts warn that residents in healthcare facilities face significantly higher risks from Legionnaires’ disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fatality rate for patients who contract the illness in healthcare settings is two-and-a-half times higher than for those who become infected in private residences.

A nationally recognized Legionnaires’ disease attorney says the case highlights a recurring problem: aging infrastructure and insufficient preventative maintenance at publicly operated facilities.

“Testing the water after someone becomes ill is not enough,” said Ronald Katter of The Katter Law Firm, who represents victims of Legionnaires’ disease nationwide. “These facilities serve medically vulnerable populations. The state must be proactive — not reactive — when it comes to water management and infection prevention.”

Katter emphasized that Legionnaires’ disease is largely preventable through routine monitoring, proper disinfection, and comprehensive water management plans.

“When the government operates healthcare facilities, it has an even greater responsibility to ensure that basic safety systems are working properly,” he said. “No patient should become seriously ill because preventable maintenance was overlooked.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in building water systems such as cooling towers, plumbing, showers, and decorative fountains if not properly maintained.

Health officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms — including cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, or headaches — to seek medical attention promptly.

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is contracted by inhaling aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. Cooling towers, hot tubs, and other warm-water systems are common sources. According to the CDC, most outbreaks are preventable with proper water-system maintenance and monitoring.

If you or someone you know has been sickened or injured as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease, contact the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer” — Ronald Katter. Mr. Katter and his firm will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at (212) 809-4293 or visit our contact page.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

NEW YORK, NY — Legionnaires’ disease is not just a summer threat, and recent testing at a Harlem apartment building underscores why cooling towers must be monitored and maintained throughout the year, according to a New York City attorney.

On January 13, 2026, city health officials began evaluating two of five cooling towers at 3333 Broadway for the presence of Legionella bacteria. The New York City Department of Health has said test results could take up to two weeks.

The investigation highlights a common misconception that Legionnaires’ disease only poses a risk during warmer months, said attorney Ronald Katter of the Katter Law Firm.

“Legionnaires’ disease doesn’t follow the calendar,” Katter said. “If cooling towers and building water systems aren’t properly maintained, people can be exposed at any time of year — including the middle of winter.”

Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. While outbreaks are more frequently reported in the summer, experts say indoor environments such as apartment buildings, hospitals, and hotels can create conditions that allow the bacteria to spread year-round.

“People living in closed or shared settings can be exposed through everyday water sources like faucets, showers, or hot water systems,” Katter said. “Even outdoors, unseasonably warm or humid conditions can increase the risk.”

Katter said the Harlem case should serve as a reminder to building owners and property managers that routine inspections and cleaning of cooling towers are essential — not optional — regardless of the season.

“Waiting until warmer weather to take this seriously puts lives at risk,” he said. “Preventive maintenance is the best defense.”

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is contracted by inhaling aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. Cooling towers, hot tubs, and other warm-water systems are common sources. According to the CDC, most outbreaks are preventable with proper water-system maintenance and monitoring.

If you or someone you know has been sickened or injured as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease, contact the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer” — Ronald Katter. Mr. Katter and his firm will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at (212) 809-4293 or visit our contact page.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

Says Disease Could Be Found in Medical Equipment

Also Asks Why It Took So Long to Notify the Medical Center

NEW YORK, NY — A nationally recognized Legionnaires’ disease attorney is calling on a New Jersey hospital to inspect its water systems again following the second death of a patient as a result of Legionnaires’ disease.

On December 24, officials at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson announced that a second patient has died from the disease. The first patient death was reported earlier this month.

On November 18, the State Health Department found Legionella bacteria in the medical center’s water system. St. Joseph’s wasn’t notified of the results until December 8. The hospital said that, upon learning of the infection in the water supply, they hired an environmental consultant, implemented remediation procedures and worked with the state Health Department on testing. The most recent test showed that the water system has been deemed to be safe.

Ronald J. Katter, the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer,” said the hospital needs to do more to keep their patients safe. “It shouldn’t take a tragic patient’s death for a hospital to make sure that its water systems are safe,” he said. “Although the hospital attempted to remedy the Legionella contamination, after the patient’s death, it looks like a case of too little, too late. Legionnaires’ disease can be prevented with proper water system maintenance.”

Katter added that medical equipment can be a breeding ground for Legionnaires’ disease. “This can be respiratory devices like nebulizers, CPAP/BiPAP machines, or humidifiers,” he said. “These devices can be infected if they are cleaned with contaminated tap water rather than sterile water.”

He also asked why it took the Health Department more than three weeks to notify the hospital. “I don’t understand why the Health Department found the disease in the hospital’s water system in November, but waited until December to tell them,” he said. “This delay is inexcusable. Those two lives may have been saved.”

Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is contracted when someone inhales water vapor containing Legionella. According to the CDC, most outbreaks are preventable with proper water-system maintenance and monitoring.

Katter, who has handled numerous high-profile Legionnaires’ cases, is calling for full transparency from the hospital and state officials to ensure no additional patients get sick.

If you have any questions about these Legionnaire’s disease cases, contact the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer” — Ronald Katter. Mr. Katter, at (212) 809-4293 or visit his contact page.

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About Katter Law Firm

For more than 10 years,  The Katter Law Firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients who were sickened  with Legionnaires’ disease in community-wide outbreaks, hospitals, hotels, and nursing homes..   Visit www.katterlaw.com for more information.

NEW YORK, NY — Ronald J. Katter, a New York attorney who specializes in Legionnaires’ disease litigation, is praising Cincinnati’s Christ Hospital for its prompt and thorough response after two patients were diagnosed with the disease.

The hospital reported on November 3 that two individuals had contracted Legionnaires’ disease within the past six weeks. Although the source of the bacteria has not yet been identified, Christ Hospital has initiated environmental testing, installed filters on faucets and shower heads, and is collaborating with local and state health officials to test its water system.

Officials say the risk to patients, visitors, and staff remains low, and current tests indicate that the hospital’s water system does not appear to be contaminated.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water vapor containing Legionella bacteria, which often thrive in building water systems such as HVAC cooling towers. The CDC emphasizes that most outbreaks are preventable through proper maintenance.

“I commend the staff at Christ Hospital for its proactive stance in acting to get this situation under control,” said Katter. “Although there were only two people who were sickened by the disease, the hospital took no chances and acted promptly to slow its spread to other people.”

Although the hospital protected the faucets and shower heads, Katter said, “If the hospital’s HVAC system includes water cooling towers, those cooling towers should be tested for the presence of Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks frequently originate in contaminated cooling towers.”

Katter, who first gained national attention in 2015 after representing victims of the deadly Opera House Hotel outbreak in the Bronx, says the latest cases underscore that Legionnaires’ disease is a recurring, national public health risk.

Katter is available for interviews on this matter. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

NEW YORK, NY — A prominent national attorney specializing in Legionnaires’ disease litigation is commending General Motors for its decisive response after two employees at its Cole Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan, were diagnosed with the serious bacterial illness.

“General Motors acted quickly and responsibly,” said attorney Ronald J. Katter, who has represented victims in numerous high-profile Legionnaires’ cases. “Too often, companies delay action when faced with a public health risk. GM did the opposite — putting employee safety first by closing the building immediately and launching a thorough investigation.”

The two cases were identified earlier this month. GM responded by shutting down the building, initiating comprehensive water testing, and engaging third-party environmental experts to determine the source of the bacteria. Traces of Legionella — the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease — were found inside the facility.

GM has said the building will remain closed until it is confirmed safe for employees to return. The company is now working closely with local health officials and outside specialists to develop a full remediation plan for all affected water systems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 10% of Legionnaires’ cases can be fatal, especially among individuals with compromised immune systems, chronic lung disease, or those who smoke. The disease is contracted by inhaling contaminated water vapor —commonly from sources like cooling towers, plumbing systems, or decorative fountains. It is not spread person-to-person and is treatable with antibiotics.

“This kind of transparency and action from a major employer sets a standard,” Katter added. “Other companies should take note of how GM handled this.”

The connection between the two employee cases and the building is still under investigation.

Katter is available for interviews on this matter. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

NEW YORK, NY — September 16, 2025 — A leading attorney in Legionnaires’ disease litigation is warning building owners across the country to step up water system maintenance after a deadly outbreak in Iowa left one person dead and many more sickened.

“This is preventable—and it keeps happening,” said Ronald J. Katter, a New York-based attorney known for representing victims of Legionnaires’ disease. “The outbreak in Marshalltown, Iowa, should be a wake-up call for building owners everywhere.”

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the outbreak on September 4, reporting one death and more than 20 infections. Since then, the number of infections has more than doubled to 54, as of September 15. Officials have not yet identified the source of the Legionella bacteria, but testing of the  cooling towers is underway. They have also urged all building owners and operators to inspect and disinfect their water systems immediately.

This outbreak echoes a similar crisis in New York City just weeks earlier. In late July, at least seven people died and more than 100 were sickened in Central Harlem. Cooling towers at Harlem Hospital have come under scrutiny, and Katter has filed legal claims on behalf of residents allegedly infected by the contaminated system.

“These are not isolated incidents,” said Katter. “We’ve seen this before in New York, and now Iowa is facing the same tragedy. The law is clear — building owners must maintain safe water systems. When they don’t, lives are at risk.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria, commonly found in poorly maintained cooling towers and plumbing systems. According to the CDC, outbreaks are largely preventable through proper maintenance and monitoring.

Katter, who first gained national attention in 2015 after representing victims of the deadly Opera House Hotel outbreak in the Bronx, says the latest cases underscore an ongoing failure in oversight and enforcement.

“One death is one too many,” he said. “This is a public health failure — and a legal one.”

Mr. Katter is available for interviews on this matter. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

NEW YORK, NY — A leading national attorney is calling out the Westchester County Department of Health for what he describes as a “disturbing delay” in notifying the public about a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that killed two Westchester residents and infected 35 others this summer.

Ronald J. Katter, the New York City attorney known as “The Legionnaires’ Lawyer,” says Westchester residents deserve to know why the public wasn’t informed sooner—and what officials are doing to prevent future cases.

“Two people died and 35 were sickened—and yet the public is just hearing about this now,” Katter said. “Where is the transparency? Where is the urgency? The Westchester County government has kept its citizens in the dark, and that’s unacceptable.”

According to a September 9 disclosure by the Westchester County Health Department, the fatalities included residents from White Plains and New Rochelle. Officials have not specified when or where the outbreak occurred, nor have they identified the likely source of the Legionella bacteria.

Katter is now calling for a full investigation into the outbreak and the county’s delay in releasing this critical public health information.

This news comes just weeks after another deadly Legionnaires’ outbreak in Central Harlem, where seven people died, more than 100 were sickened, and cooling towers at Harlem Hospital came under scrutiny. Katter has already filed legal claims on behalf of Harlem residents who allege they were exposed to contaminated water vapor from the hospital’s cooling systems.

“We may be looking at parallel outbreaks, both hidden from the public until the damage was done,” Katter said. “It’s time for health officials in Westchester and across the state to be held accountable.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious, often deadly form of pneumonia. It is caused by inhaling water vapor that’s been contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The bacteria thrive in HVAC cooling towers, particularly during warmer months. According to the CDC, most outbreaks are entirely preventable through routine maintenance and monitoring.

Katter, who earned his national recognition in 2015 for representing numerous victims of the Opera House Hotel outbreak in the Bronx, says the pattern of delayed reporting and lax enforcement is a recurring public health failure.

“If health departments fail to sound the alarm when lives are at risk, then what exactly are they protecting?” he said. “We cannot afford another missed warning.”                             

Mr. Katter is available for interviews on this matter. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

HHC and City-Owned Buildings Among Those Linked to Unchecked Contamination

NEW YORK, NY — August 21, 2025 — Following a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Central Harlem that has claimed five lives and sickened over 100, New York attorney Ronald J. Katter has filed Notices of Claim against NYC and the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation’s Harlem Hospital alleging negligence and systemic failures in their buildings’ water system management.

Katter represents two Harlem residents who contracted the disease during the outbreak, which health officials traced to unsafe levels of Legionella bacteria in cooling towers at 12 buildings — including multiple city-run facilities that include the City University of New York building, a NYC Department of Health clinic and HHC’s Harlem Hospital.

According to the city’s own findings, nine of the 12 buildings either failed to conduct required Legionella testing or had not been inspected by the city in the past year, in clear violation of public health laws enacted after prior outbreaks.

“Because of the city’s willful negligence, five New Yorkers are dead,” said Katter, who has earned national recognition for his work in Legionnaires’ litigation. “My clients were infected by bacteria growing unchecked in city-owned buildings that ignored basic safety regulations. This outbreak was not an accident — it was entirely preventable.”

The Notice of Claim, which is the precondition to filing a lawsuit against the City and HHC, alleges the City and HHC violated New York State and City laws, which were specifically enacted to prevent fatal Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.

Katter first made headlines in 2015 when he sued on behalf of a Bronx man infected in the Opera House Hotel outbreak, which led to sweeping reforms in Legionella control. Yet, as this latest tragedy shows, oversight remains dangerously inconsistent.

The Central Harlem outbreak was detected by the Department of Health in July and has sent dozens to the hospital. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia caused by inhaling water vapor containing Legionella bacteria. It poses the greatest risk to older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The CDC reports that fatality rates can reach 10% even with treatment.

For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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* Notice of claim is available upon request.

About The Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries as a result of construction accidents, Legionnaires’ disease, motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle crashes, slip/trip and falls, assaults, workplace accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental death, pet attacks and cemetery and funeral negligence.  The firm aggressively represents injured victims through New York’s five boroughs, as well as the surrounding counties. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

Ronald J. Katter, “The Legionnaires’ Lawyer,” available for interviews on disease prevention, legal accountability, and what victims need to know

NEW YORK, NY — In the wake of a recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Central Harlem that killed five and sickened more than 100 people, prominent attorney Ronald J. Katter is available for expert commentary on the public health risks of Legionnaires’ disease and how legal action can help drive accountability.

Known as “The Legionnaires’ Lawyer” for his work representing victims of past outbreaks, Katter has been at the forefront of holding building owners responsible for failing to maintain safe water systems — often the root cause of these preventable tragedies.

“These outbreaks don’t happen in a vacuum,” said Katter. “They’re typically the result of building owners neglecting basic safety — failing to clean and maintain cooling towers, water tanks, and plumbing systems where Legionella bacteria thrive.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria, typically found in warm water environments like cooling towers, according to the CDC. It is not spread person-to-person, but rather through mist or vapor.

Symptoms include high fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headaches. The disease disproportionately affects adults over 50 and those with compromised immune systems — often leading to hospitalization or death.

Katter first gained national attention in 2015, when he filed suit on behalf of a 54-year-old man sickened in a major outbreak linked to contaminated cooling towers at the Opera House Hotel in the Bronx. He has since continued to advocate for victims, including those affected by the recent Central Harlem outbreak.

“People contract this disease through no fault of their own,” said Katter. “When building owners ignore public health laws, people die—and they must be held accountable.”

“Since the Opera House Legionnaires’ outbreak in 2015, the City has mandated that the owners of buildings with cooling towers, regularly test them for high Legionella bacteria levels, treat them as required, and file quarterly reports with the city,” Katter continued. “Fines were to be imposed for noncompliance. Why hasn’t the city enforced this law to prevent this outbreak?”

Ronald J. Katter is available for interviews to discuss:

• What is Legionnaires’ disease, what causes it, how it is contracted, how it is treated —and how it can be prevented
• What legal options are available for victims and their families
• What this latest outbreak reveals about infrastructure and oversight in New York City

For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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About The Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries as a result of construction accidents, Legionnaires ‘disease, motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle crashes, slip/trip and falls,  assaults, workplace accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental death, pet attacks and cemetery and funeral negligence.  The firm aggressively represents injured victims through New York’s five boroughs, as well as the surrounding counties. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

NEW YORK, NY — Ronald J. Katter, “The Legionnaires’ Lawyer,” urges the City of New York to be thorough and vigilant when it comes to inspecting cooling towers located on the roofs of its own buildings to prevent Legionnaires’ disease.

On August 15, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced that four people had died and 101 people were sickened from the disease. This announcement came after city officials counted 12 buildings with water cooling towers that had unsafe levels of Legionella bacteria. Nine of the buildings either had failed to perform mandatory Legionella testing, or were not inspected by the city in the past year. The buildings identified include a City University of New York building, a City Economic Development office, a City Health Clinic and HHC’s Harlem Hospital

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria, which are usually found in water. The bacteria can grow in warm water found in cooling towers. People can contract the disease when they breathe in water vapor, which is invisible, containing the bacteria. Symptoms include pneumonia with other signs, such as cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches and headaches.

“The city has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of its citizens, and they failed,” Mr. Katter says. “To wait a year or more to inspect a water tower is inexcusable. The city must clean up its own buildings’ water systems and make sure that private building owners have clean water systems, immediately.”

Mr. Katter has a proven track record of handling Legionnaires’-related lawsuits, including those against landlords and corporations who failed to properly maintain their water systems. He has represented clients who were sickened during an earlier Legionnaires outbreak at the HHC Harlem Hospital.

Mr. Katter is available for interviews on this matter. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

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About Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries in automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, slip/trip and falls, hotel accidents, assaults, workplace accidents, construction accidents, professional malpractice, nursing home negligence, hospital mistreatment, police abuse, accidental deaths and pet attacks. The firm aggressively represents injured victims through the five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens as well as Westchester County. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.