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.
