An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the South Bronx has left a dozen dead since the pandemic began in July, according to a recent USA Today news report. Mayor Bill De Blasio claimed the plague was on the decline, particularly since no new cases had been recorded. More than 100 total cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported, with over 75 people hospitalized but released. City health authorities reported all of the deaths in the South Bronx were of people with preexisting health conditions. If you or someone you know was recently injured due to the fault of another, contact a knowledgeable Brooklyn personal injury attorney immediately to preserve your rights under the law.
Legionnaires’ disease
Bacteria that grow in warm water cause Legionnaires’ disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this may include hot tubs, cooling towers, decorative fountains, hot water tanks, air conditioners and large plumbing systems. People contract the disease when breathing in vapor or mist containing the bacteria.
Mayor De Blasio proposed legislation aimed at preventing future pandemics, including the requirement of all existing cooling towers to be registered with the city’s Department of Buildings. Thirty-nine buildings in the impacted South Bronx area have the type of cooling towers associated with the bacteria; 12 of these cooling towers tested positive for the bacteria.
Brooklyn Wrongful Death Attorney
A wrongful death lawsuit arises when a victim dies as a result of the negligence of another. Under New York law, the surviving spouse and children have the legal right to file a wrongful death suit. Other individuals who may file a wrongful death suit due to the death of a loved one include a separated spouse who can prove dependence or did not desert the deceased, among others.
Under state law, the elements that constitute a wrongful death suit include proof by a plaintiff that: (1) the death of the victim was not caused by the victim but, instead, caused by another’s recklessness, negligence or deliberate act; and (2) the damages incurred must be measurable to the person bringing the suit as a result of the victim’s death.
Personal Injury Attorney in Brooklyn
An experienced personal injury attorney in Brooklyn may help victims such as those who have contracted Legionnaires’ disease due the negligence of building owners and operators in the South Bronx area. Accidents can occur anywhere and, unfortunately, sometimes they can be fatal. Monetary compensation owed to a victim – or the survivors of a victim – of a wrongful death or personal injury may include pain and suffering, lost wages and benefits, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs, among others. The legal professionals at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum have years of experience representing victims in the New York City area. Click or call (718) 237-5586 today for your initial free case evaluation.
