Seven people died and 118 were sickened in New York City’s worst outbreak in nearly a decade
NEW YORK, N.Y. (August 5, 2026) – Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and co-counsel Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. will join victims and families of victims of the 2025 Central Harlem Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a news conference Thursday. They will announce the filing of four lawsuits against the City of New York, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the contractors responsible for maintaining the cooling towers linked to the outbreak.
In July 2025, New York City health officials identified an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem. Officials ultimately confirmed 118 cases and seven deaths, and traced the bacteria to cooling towers in the neighborhood, including those at Harlem Hospital and the New York City Public Health Lab at 40 W. 137th St.
According to the lawsuits, the defendants failed to properly test, treat, and maintain the cooling towers, failed to comply with state and city cooling tower regulations, and failed to warn the public of the danger. The suits seek damages for serious and permanent personal injury, emotional distress, economic loss, and wrongful death claims.
WHO:
Impacted victims and their families
Attorney Ben Crump
Attorney Nabeha Shaer, Ben Crump Law
Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president, National Action Network
Attorney Jared Scotto, Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
Attorney Ilana Wolk, Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
Attorney Avelino Garcia, Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
Felicia Unger, Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
WHEN:
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026
11 a.m. ET
WHERE:
National Action Network House of Justice
6 Hancock Place
Harlem, NY 10027
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MEDIA CONTACT:
[email protected]
ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
