NEW YORK, July 15, 2026 — Attorney Ronald J. Katter of Katter Law Firm, who has been retained by an Upper East Side resident who suffered serious injuries after contracting Legionnaires’ disease during the outbreak this month, is calling for accountability from both the building owners and the city, claiming the owners’ inaction and the city’s lack of enforcement combined to make a preventable tragedy.

According to the Health Department, the investigation now encompasses ZIP codes 10028, 10128, and 10075, including portions of Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, and Lenox Hill. The outbreak has grown rapidly, increasing from two reported cases on July 2 to 60 confirmed cases as of July 13. Fifteen people remain hospitalized, 34 have been discharged, and 11 did not require hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.

Health officials have identified cooling towers at multiple properties as potential sources of Legionella bacteria and have reported positive findings at dozens of buildings in the investigation area, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The city has said affected property owners have been directed to clean and disinfect implicated cooling towers while the investigation continues.

Katter said some of the blame falls on the city as well.

"The public deserves to know whether this outbreak could have been prevented," Katter said. "We have to ask why the city did not ensure that the building owners were testing and treating their cooling towers for the Legionella bacteria, as required by New York City law. This highlights how this devastating outbreak might have been prevented.”

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which can grow in building water systems, including cooling towers. People who are older, smoke, or have underlying health conditions are generally at greater risk of serious illness.

If you or someone you know has been sickened or injured as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease, contact the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer” — Ronald Katter. Mr. Katter and his firm will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at (212) 809-4293 or visit our contact page.

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About The Katter Law Firm
The Katter Law Firm is a premier New York City personal injury and medical malpractice law firm specializing in public health negligence and Legionella outbreak litigation. Founder Ronald J. Katter and his team are dedicated to holding negligent property owners and public entities accountable to secure just compensation for victims of preventable illnesses.