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.

###

* 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.

###

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.

###

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 — Ronald J. Katter of The Katter Law Firm is urging those in Harlem who tested positive for Legionnaires’ Disease to exercise their legal rights against the property owners who failed to properly maintain the cooling towers on top of the buildings.

On July 25, five people residing within the 10027, 10030, 10035 and 10037 ZIP codes were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease by the New York City Department of Health. Several others have been tested and are awaiting their results.

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 hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains. People contract the disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor containing the bacteria. Symptoms include pneumonia with other signs, such as cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches and headaches.

“The spread of this disease could have been prevented, had the property owners followed local law and kept the cooling towers regularly cleaned and maintained,” Mr. Katter says. “If you believe you contracted the disease as the result of the building owner’s willful negligence, consult with an attorney who is experienced in handling Legionnaires’ cases.”

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.

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

###

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 — Ronald J. Katter, the Legionnaires’ disease Lawyer, said the New York City Department of Health’s October 9, 2024, report of two Legionnaires’ disease cases at Co-op City in the Bronx, New York, in the last year, is alarming. According to Mr. Katter, Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks would not occur, unless property owners fail to perform legally required testing and maintenance of their buildings’ water systems.  Owners, who fail to comply with the law, are liable to for the sickness and harm which result.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria. The bacteria can grow in warm water found in cooling towers, hot water tanks, and plumbing systems. People contract the disease when they breathe water vapor containing the bacteria.

Mr. Katter says it is critical that anyone who experiences Legionnaires’ disease symptoms — which may include any of the following: headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, coughs, gastrointestinal symptoms or confusion — seek immediate medical attention. “For the at-risk population who are over 50 years old, smokers, individuals with chronic respiratory ailments or compromised immune systems, Legionnaires’ disease can be life-threatening, so, for them, time is of the essence.” Mr. Katter also urges those seeking medical attention to “tell their physicians about the outbreak, so that they can be properly tested.”

Co-op City has had prior Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, with fatalities. In 2018, a cluster of the disease at the apartment complex killed one person and sickened two others. A deadly Co-op City outbreak in 2015 resulted in two deaths and 31 being sickened. The cause was traced to one of the complex’s cooling towers.

“This was not the first time that Legionnaires’ disease has sickened Co-op City’s residents,” Mr. Katter said. “Had the property owners followed local law and kept the cooling towers properly cleaned and maintained, there would be no more Legionnaires’ outbreaks.”

Mr. Katter is a skilled advocate and highly experienced in representing clients who were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease. He has taken legal action against building owners who willfully refuse to clean and maintain the buildings’ water systems. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

###

About The Katter Law Firm

For more than 33 years, The Katter Law Firm represented clients in personal injury cases including those who have suffered injuries from Legionnaires’ disease, 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 and successfully represents clients throughout NYC’s five boroughs and the surrounding counties. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

ALBANY, NY — Ronald J. Katter of The Katter Law Firm says that the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at an assisted living facility in Albany, New York could have been prevented.

On August 30, the Albany County Health Department reported that a Legionnaires’ outbreak at Peregrine Senior Living at Shaker in Albany, hospitalized 25 people. Four of them have died. Administrators at Peregrine noted that, since the outbreak, they have installed water filters on some of its showers and sinks so that residents can still use the bathroom. In addition, they have provided residents with bottled water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria. It grows in warm water found in water systems, cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains and plumbing systems. People contract the disease when they breathe in water vapor containing the bacteria. The CDC notes that approximately 10% of all Legionnaires’ cases are fatal.

Seniors and people living with respiratory ailments and compromised immune systems like those who reside in assisted living facilities, are particularly susceptible to contracting Legionnaires ’ disease.

In a study, the CDC found that all deficiencies associated with the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease could have been prevented by comprehensive and properly implemented water management programs. These programs include regularly cleaning and disinfecting water systems.

A facility’s failure to perform proper water system maintenance, which results in Legionnaires’ disease, may be the basis for civil and legal liability under New York law. That entitles those who were sickened with the disease to seek monetary compensation for their injuries from the facility.

“While I applaud the actions of the assisted living facility’s staff to keep its residents safe after the outbreak, they should have taken a proactive approach to make sure this didn’t happen in the first place,” Mr. Katter says. “When you have a facility that is housing the most vulnerable population, keeping the water systems clean and safe, must be priority number one.”

Mr. Katter says it is critical that anyone who experiences Legionnaires’ disease symptoms — which may include one or more of the following: headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, cough, gastrointestinal symptoms and confusion — seek immediate medical attention. “For the at-risk population, Legionnaires’ disease can be life-threatening, so, for them, time is of the essence.” Mr. Katter also urges those seeking medical attention to “tell their health providers about the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak, so that they will be properly tested for it.”

Mr. Katter is an experienced attorney who has successfully represented clients, who were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease. He fights to recover the maximum amount of money to compensate them for their injuries. He has taken legal action against building owners, hospitals, and care facilities, which fail to clean and maintain their buildings’ water systems. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

###

NEW YORK, NY — Ronald J. Katter of The Katter Law Firm says all water systems in the New Jersey counties of Passaic and Bergen, which reported an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, should be examined, since they may have transmitted the disease through water vapor.

From June 6, 2023 to August 4, 2023, nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease were confirmed in Passaic County and one was found in Bergen County. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is currently working with local health agencies to determine what caused the outbreak. According to the NJDOH, there are between 250 and 375 Legionnaires’ cases in the state each year.

A similar outbreak occurred in the same two counties late last year. From November 9, 2022 to December 21, 2022, seven Legionnaires’ cases were reported. The cause of the outbreak was never determined.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria. It grows in warm water found in water systems, including cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains and plumbing systems. People contract the disease when they breathe in water vapor containing the bacteria. The CDC notes that approximately 10% of all Legionnaires’ cases result in death.

Although it cannot be transmitted from one person to another, it can be serious for those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions. Legionnaires’ disease can successfully be treated with antibiotics.

“It should be incumbent upon both counties to examine all water systems that discharge water vapor into the air to determine the source of Legionnaires’ disease,” Mr. Katter says. “I find it hard to believe that this outbreak occurred for the second time in six months and they still could not determine where it came from.”

Mr. Katter says it is critical that anyone who experiences Legionnaires’ disease symptoms — which may include one or more of the following: headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, cough, gastrointestinal symptoms and confusion — seek immediate medical attention. “For the at-risk population, Legionnaires’ disease can be life-threatening, so, for them, time is of the essence.” Mr. Katter also urges those seeking medical attention to “tell their physicians about the outbreak, so that they can be properly tested.”

Mr. Katter is an advocate and highly experienced in representing clients who were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease. He has taken legal action against building owners who willfully refuse to clean and maintain the buildings’ water systems. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

###

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 —  New York’s public health  professionals are warning about a potential rise in Legionnaires’ disease and an associated increase in hospital admissions this summer.

Legionnaires’ disease is a respiratory illness, which may cause pneumonia, sepsis and even death. Early symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include shortness of breath, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and confusion. People with respiratory illnesses, compromised immune systems, a history of smoking or are more than 50 years old are most susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionnaires’ disease can be contracted when someone inhales water vapor that has been contaminated with Legionella. That is the type of the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella can be found in building-wide cooling systems, hot water tanks, fountains, hot tubs, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene just released a Legionnaires’ disease advisory for New York’s doctors and hospitals, which warned them to be on the lookout for cases of Legionnaires’ disease. The agency stated that the greatest number of Legionnaires’ disease infections occur between the summer and early fall.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were close to 5,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in New York State from 2018 to 2022. In 2020, New York State reported more cases than any other. Most of those were in New York City.

“It is imperative that anyone who experiences Legionnaires’ disease symptoms seek medical attention immediately so they can be tested and treated,” says Ronald Katter of The Katter Law Firm. “For the at-risk population, Legionnaires’ disease can be life-threatening.”

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

###

About The Katter Law Firm

The Katter Law Firm has significant experience representing New Yorkses who have suffered with the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease for nearly a decade. He has recovered millions of dollars to compensate them from the entities that caused the Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. The firm also represents individuals injured in motor vehicle collisions, slip/trip and falls, construction falls, nursing home negligence, and funeral and cemetery carelessness. The firm aggressively represents injured victims throughout the New York City metro region and its surrounding counties. For more information, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

NEW YORK, NY — Ronald J. Katter of The Katter Law Firm, President, The Jewish Lawyers Guild, has announced that the Guild will be holding its 44th Annual Gala on Thursday, June 22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, located at 125 W. 18th Street, New York, New York. Cocktail hour and a buffet reception will start at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s honorees include the Honorable Deborah Kaplan, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York City Courts, who will receive the Distinguished Jurist Award; the Honorable Adam Silvera, Administrative Judge, Supreme Court, New York County, Civil Term, who will be the recipient of the Benjamin N. Cardozo Award; and the Honorable Doris M. Gonzalez, Administrative Judge, Supreme Court, Bronx County, Civil Term, who will be honored with the Golda Meir Memorial Award.

The Jewish Lawyers Guild is an organization of lawyers and jurists founded upon fellowship and faith in tradition since 1962. The Guild holds a variety of activities, including lectures, programs and tours that are of interest to the legal and Jewish communities. In addition, the Guild participates in the judicial screening panels, provides a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for its members and funds two scholarships at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

“We wish to congratulate these fine jurists on being honored at this year’s event,” Mr. Katter said. “Our event has always brought together some of the foremost legal professionals and has always been a part of what makes this organization very special.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about the Jewish Lawyers Guild, visit www.jewishlawyersguild.org. For more information about Katter Law, call (212) 809-4293 or visit www.katterlaw.com.

###

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 Legionnaires’ disease, motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian knockdowns, bicycle crashes, slip/trip and falls, assaults, workplace accidents, construction 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.