The seven contracting firms that are being suedare William A. Berry & Son of Danvers, Tsoi/Kobusand Associates, Inc. of Cambridge, Trapani andAssociates Inc. of Boston, Ellenzweig AssociatesInc. of Cambridge, P & D Contractors Inc. ofAllston, Kaplan Corp. of Brookline and HoneywellInc. of Minneapolis.
Representatives from the firms said they hadnot received the suit and would not comment on thecase.
"P and D Contractors have not been served withany papers, so we do not understand what the suitis about and therefore cannot comment at thistime," said Joseph A. DiMatteo, treasurer of thecompany, in a comment similar to that of otherfirms.
The complaints will be served on all thedefendants next week, Karsner said. He said thedefendants will probably call their insurancecompanies, who will hire attorneys to handle thecase.
"It could take several years to resolve thelawsuit," Karsner said.
The History
Nearly two years ago, 14 members of thehospital's operating staff developed rashes,hives, sneezing and other problems. Some wereforced to give up their operatingresponsibilities.
Some were diagnosed as having allergies to thelatex in surgical gloves and other medicalequipment, but no explanations were found for thesymptoms that others reported.
Since then, at least 300 of the hospital's 1800nurses have reported health problems that they sayare related to the hospital environment. Some ofthose are currently on disability leave.
The hospital has cooperated with federalofficials from the Occupational Safety and HealthAgency in investigating the causes of illnesses,Kho said.
The hospital has also conducted its ownexaminations of the ventilation system and hasfound no defects associated with the system,according to a press release.
"Brigham and Women's Hospital has beenconducting an ongoing assessment of air qualitythroughout the hospital with the assistance of anationally recognized consultant, EnvironmentalHealth and Engineering, Inc.," the press releasereads.
It continues: "This thorough assessmentindicates that all heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems meet or exceed the moststringent air quality standards" of federal andprivate agencies.
Michelle Scarlatelli, a spokesperson for thehospital, said, "We do want to make clear thatBrigham and Women's is a safe environment in whichto work and receive care."
"The hospital has launched a model program foridentifying the sources of concern to staff andeliminating or minimizing exposures," the pressrelease says.
But Karsner said he is uncertain whether thehospital really believes it has a safeenvironment.
"I'm not sure that the hospital really believesthat the environment is perfectly safe," Karsnersaid. "They have seen many of their employeesbecome ill. They have hired outside consultants todetermine why this is so."
The employees could not sue the hospital,Karsner said, because workers' compensation lawsgive the hospital immunity against being lawsuits