College Lawsuit: Decades of Extensive Research Devastated by Cleaner

**Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Seeks $1 Million in Lawsuit After Lab Freezer Malfunction**

More than 20 years of research conducted at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) were destroyed due to a lab freezer malfunction. RPI has filed a lawsuit against Daigle Cleaning Systems, seeking $1 million in damages. According to the lawsuit, an employee of the cleaning company mistakenly turned off the circuit breaker for the freezer, which is required to maintain a temperature of minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 80 degrees Celsius).

**Lab Freezer Malfunction Leads to $1 Million Lawsuit**

RPI’s researchers utilized the freezer to study the process of photosynthesis in plants. Prior to the incident, a notice had been posted on the door of the freezer alerting others that it was undergoing repairs and should not be moved or unplugged. However, on September 17, 2020, a cleaner entered the lab and, upon hearing the alarm from the freezer, attempted to help by turning on the circuit breakers. Unfortunately, the cleaner inadvertently switched the breakers from the “on” to the “off” position, causing the temperature inside the freezer to rise to minus 26 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 32 degrees Celsius).

**Devastation of Research Specimens**

The following day, graduate researchers discovered that the freezer had been turned off and urgently attempted to salvage the specimens. However, the majority of the specimens had been compromised and rendered unsalvageable due to the temperature increase. This unfortunate incident resulted in the destruction of more than 20 years of research.

**RPI Seeks Compensation from Daigle Cleaning Systems**

RPI is now seeking $1 million in damages from Daigle Cleaning Systems. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the cleaning company, stating that they failed to properly train and supervise their employee. RPI claims that the employee’s action of turning off the freezer’s circuit breaker resulted in the loss of valuable research specimens.

**Daigle Cleaning Systems Faces Lawsuit**

When reached for comment, Daigle Cleaning Systems did not provide a statement. The lawsuit against the company was initially reported by the Times Union of Albany. According to the lawsuit, the cleaner involved in the incident is a person with “special needs.” However, no further details regarding the employee’s condition were provided. RPI’s attorney, Michael Ginsberg, refrained from providing additional information about the employee’s special needs but maintained that the responsibility lies with Daigle Cleaning Systems for not adequately training and supervising their employee.

In conclusion, the unintentional actions of a cleaner employed by Daigle Cleaning Systems resulted in the destruction of over two decades of research at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. RPI seeks compensation of $1 million from the cleaning company, alleging negligence in their failure to properly train and supervise their employee. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of taking necessary precautions when handling delicate research specimens and the significant consequences that can arise from even minor mistakes.