Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


10

Family of Swine Flu Victim Suing NYC for $40M

Says city didn't provide a safe workplace for assistant principal

Share

(Newser) – The family of Mitchell Weiner, a Queens middle school assistant principal who died in May after contracting H1N1, is suing New York City for $40 million, arguing that it didn’t provide a safe workplace, the New York Daily News reports. They also contend that the city didn’t notify Weiner that he’d come in contact with people who had the virus soon enough.

Asked about the case, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “You know, everybody can sue everybody. The city didn’t do anything wrong. We have to make decisions, which schools are open or closed. Our obligation is to keep schools open.”

Anita Seeratan, 13, an 8th grader at the Susan B. Anthony middle school, holds up a copy of the 2005 yearbook open to the page with the photograph of assistant Principal Mitchell Weiner, in New York.
Anita Seeratan, 13, an 8th grader at the Susan B. Anthony middle school, holds up a copy of the 2005 yearbook open to the page with the photograph of assistant Principal Mitchell Weiner, in New York.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
I.S. 238 Principal Joseph Gates arrives at Flushing Hospital Medical Center where Mitchell Weiner is hospitalized with Swine Flu, Friday, May 15, 2009 in New York.
I.S. 238 Principal Joseph Gates arrives at Flushing Hospital Medical Center where Mitchell Weiner is hospitalized with Swine Flu, Friday, May 15, 2009 in New York.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Alexis Morales, left, 13, a 7th grader at I.S. 238 Susan B Anthony and her mother Nancy Crespo speak to reporters after trying to deliver a get-well card for Mitchell Weiner, May 15, 2009.
Alexis Morales, left, 13, a 7th grader at I.S. 238 Susan B Anthony and her mother Nancy Crespo speak to reporters after trying to deliver a get-well card for Mitchell Weiner, May 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
10 comments
VIEWING:
 
Realist
Aug 12, 09 10:04 AM CDT
I'm truly sorry for the family's loss, but launching a $40M lawsuit against the city is beyond belief. A handful of people (relatively speaking) have died from this strain of flu so far, and doubtless the number will increase, but to jump on the crazy US lawsuit bandwagon just because you were one of the unlucky ones is disgusting. At a time when states need every penny they can keep, how does demanding $40M in compensation actually help the situation? How many Tami-flu shots would that pay for? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+12
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Sep 30, 09 4:40 AM CDT
Sounds like it's almost time for all humans to be isolated from all other humans...
Vote up! Vote down!
0
mainlander
Aug 12, 09 10:33 AM CDT
A school principal had to know he would be exposed to sick people; a school is a breeding ground for every illness that comes around. I worked for a school district for 3 years and caught cold/flu 3 or 4 times a year; it comes with the territory. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+9
riffran
Aug 12, 09 12:12 PM CDT
sorry for the loss. That said..... How fricken pathetic a money grab can you try. Total bullshit Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
christa2000
Aug 12, 09 12:45 PM CDT
Live is a risk that everyone needs to take. Quit blaming others. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+5

View all 10 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

126 Stories

h1n1 outbreak

Flu Pandemic Slacks Off, But 'It's Not Over'

Tamiflu-resistant cluster crops up in NC; 3 of 4 patients dead

Nov 20, 09 4:25 PM CST
(Newser) - The swine flu outbreak is slacking off in some areas, but don't get complacent, officials say: Pandemics naturally fluctuate. "There can be multiple ups and downs over the season," says a CDC doctor. "We have many weeks ahead of us where disease is going to be circulating.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • influenza • Tamiflu • Duke University Medical Center. • pandemic • antiviral drugs • swine flu • H1N1 virus • CDC

h1n1 outbreak

Swine Flu Mutation Worries Norway Scientists

CDC official says it's no cause for alarm

Nov 20, 09 1:37 PM CST
(Newser) - Norwegian scientists say they've discovered a mutated version of swine flu in two patients who died and another who is severely ill. The mutation "could possibly make the virus more prone to infect deeper in the airways and thus cause more severe disease," said the nation's health institute.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Norway • mutation • mutations • World Health Organization • influenza • swine flu • H1N1 virus

Our Immune System Already Prepared for Swine Flu

Disease isn't as contagious, deadly as feared

Nov 17, 09 9:45 AM CST
(Newser) - The initial fear that swine flu is a totally new virus that your immune system isn’t equipped to handle turns out to be pure hype. According to a new study, immune systems that have previously had contact with flu viruses recognize H1N1 and deal with it the same way,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
immune system • influenza • swine flu • H1N1 virus

126 Stories


Crime & Courts  •  Science & Health  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
New York City • lawsuit • public schools • Queens, New York • principal • swine flu • H1N1 virus

from our news partners