Two People Died After 72 People Infected From Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Linked to the Upper East Side
UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN (July 19, 2026) – Two people have died in a New York City Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has been linked to the Upper East Side.
The New York City Department of Health announced the second death on Saturday. In total, 72 people have been infected.
Department of Health officials have ordered numerous buildings to take certain actions to help slow the spread of the outbreak. This includes cleaning their cooling towers.
Cooling towers in commercial buildings remain leading sources of Legionella bacteria. Last year, seven people died in another Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.
More than 100 people were sickened in that outbreak.
Liability for Deaths Involving Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of severe pneumonia that can leave victims seriously injured. Property owners across New York have a legal obligation to take reasonable precautions to prevent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. When a property owner fails to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and this contributes to an outbreak, this could form the basis of a premises liability claim. Several actions should be taken to prevent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.
- Temperatures: Property owners should maintain their water at the proper temperature.
- Testing: Property owners should routinely test their cooling towers and other essential systems for Legionella bacteria.
- Cleaning: Property owners should periodically disinfect and clean their water systems to prevent bacterial growth.
Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be multiple liable parties for any outbreak. This includes any maintenance provider that may have been responsible for the upkeep of the building cooling system. In many cases, building managers are not the ones who were actively cleaning, disinfecting, and inspecting these units. This typically gets outsourced to other parties that may have acted negligently and failed their duties.
How An Attorney Can Help After Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease should be taken very seriously, as it has been responsible for many hospitalizations and deaths each year. According to the American Lung Association, “Although it is considered a rare disease, Legionnaires’ disease is a growing health concern. Since 2000, the number of people developing this disease has been on the rise. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that about 10,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.” There are many ways that an attorney can help if you’ve lost a loved one in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.
- Investigation: An attorney can help identify the source of the outbreak and take steps to preserve related evidence.
- Negotiation: An attorney can help negotiate a fair settlement with the defendant’s insurance provider.
- Trial: An attorney can help take your case to trial if an insurance provider is not willing to offer a fair settlement.
Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where property owners are not cleaning or inspecting their cooling towers as often as they should. The family of any person who died in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak is protected by a number of laws. They’re able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through a wrongful death claim.
Getting Legal Help After a Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak
We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of the two people who died in this Upper East Side Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. It is deeply concerning that there’s been so many outbreaks across New York City in recent years. There are many questions that have yet to be answered by the NYC Department of Health.
Have you lost a loved one in a New York City Legionnaires’ disease outbreak? You may have legal recourse. Our team is experienced and ready to support you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and hold the property owner accountable for their misconduct. You are always welcome to contact us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
