California IN BRIEF : RICHMOND : $9.5 Million Sought in Disease Death

A $9.5-million wrongful death claim has been filed against the Social Security Administration on behalf of the family of a janitor who died this month after contracting Legionnaires’ disease. Rosalind Sheffield of Oakland was one of 10 confirmed cases of the disease among employees at the Social Security building here. Last week, San Francisco attorney Melvin Belli filed a $3-million personal injury claim on behalf of Margaret Thomas, another employee who remains hospitalized in critical condition. The building was shut down nearly two weeks ago and is expected to remain closed several more weeks for cleanup.