Marler Clark, Attorneys at Law L.L.P., P.S.
The nation’s foremost law firm with a practice dedicated to representing victims of food poisoning.
Call us at 1 866-770-2032
In the Marler Clark news archives we highlight some of the more high-profile cases the firm has brought on behalf of victims of food poisoning outbreaks. Here we also provide information about notable cases the firm has brought on behalf of victims of crane accidents, nursing home negligence, vehicle accidents, and other injury-situations.
Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against A & R Bar-be-que of Memphis, Tennessee, on July 30 on behalf of a father and son who both became ill with Salmonella infections and acute kidney failure after eating food prepared at the Hickory Hill restaurant location. The restaurant has been closed since July 25, 2009, while public health officials investigate a Salmonella outbreak among the restaurant’s customers.
Marler Clark represented a woman who became ill with Listeriosis and suffered a miscarriage after consuming Listeria-contaminated cheese while on vacation in Victoria, British Columbia. The lawsuit was resolved.
Marler Clark represented two women who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating contaminated crab cakes at Adrift restaurant in Anacortes, Washington. The public health investigation into the outbreak revealed that the crab cakes were not cooked to a hot enough temperature to kill Salmonella bacteria.
In December of 2000, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak had been traced to the consumption of ground beef purchased from SuperValu/Cub Food Stores. At least 17 people became ill with E. coli during the outbreak, which was ultimately traced back to meat produced at an AFG plant in Wisconsin. Marler Clark represented five families in claims that resulted from the E. coli outbreak.
In 2005, over a dozen children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome after visiting the Central Florida Fair, the Florida Strawberry Festival, or the Florida State Fair. Ultimately, health officials counted 22 confirmed, 45 suspect and 6 secondary cases from 20 Florida counties as victims of the E. coli outbreak, which was traced to animals exhibited at AgVenture Farms petting zoos at all three venues.
In the summer of 2008, an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni in Del Norte County, California (near the Oregon border) that sickened 16 people and left one paralyzed was traced to Alexandre EcoDairy Farm raw milk.
At least 45 people became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating iceberg lettuce distributed in industrial-sized packages by Aunt Mid’s Produce Company of Detroit, Michigan in September fo 2008. The outbreak was first identified among Michigan State University students, and later grew to include inmates at the Lenawee County Jail, University of Michigan students, and residents of Illinois and Ontario, Canada. Marler Clark represents several victims of the Aunt Mid’s E. coli outbreak in claims against the company.
An outbreak of Salmonella at the Baker Street Restaurant and Pub in Kenosha, Wisconsin has now been linked to a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella in eggs.
Marler Clark represented the family of an 11-year-old Georgia boy who spent four days in the hospital after becoming ill with E. coli O157:H7 after eating a contaminated hamburger at Danielsville Elementary School in April of 1998. The meat was traced to Bauer Meat Co. of Ocala Florida, leading federal officials to close down the company and recall 38,000 pounds of ground beef that had been distributed to schools, military bases and other institutions in Georgia and North Carolina.
Marler Clark represents victims of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been traced to the consumption of E. coli-contaminated apple cider produced by Baugher’s Orchard and Farm of Westminster, MD. The firm filed an E. coli lawsuit against Baugher’s, which sold unpasteurized apple cider to customers at the farm and at retail locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania, on November 10, 2010.
Marler Clark represented tourists who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating foods prepared at the Beaches Sandy Bay resort in Jamaica in January and February of 2005. The Salmonella outbreak was traced to pooled eggs and to cheese that was cross-contaminated with the eggs in the resort’s refrigerator.
Six children were infected with E. coli O157:H7 at the 2005 Big Fresno Fair petting zoo. The most seriously injured child was hospitalized for several months, and is still dealing with her injuries.
In 2002, a public health investigation showed that two ill children in Rockland County, New York, a third child in Bergen County, New Jersey, had tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 after eating ground beef from a BJ’s Wholesale Club store. The strain of E. coli isolated from the Bergen County child’s stool sample was indistinguishable from the strain implicated in the Rockland County children’s illnesses. Marler Clark represented children from three families who became ill with E. coli, two with HUS, after consuming ground beef purchased from BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Marler Clark represented 30 people who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating cannolis and cassata cake from the Black Forest bakery in Macomb, Michigan, in 2002. The Macomb County Health Department and Michigan Department of Agriculture noted a number of health code violations that may have contributed to the spread of Salmonella at the bakery.
In 2005 a large norovirus outbreak was traced to a Blimpie’s restaurant in Kent County, Michigan. Groups of people who attended functions catered by Blimpie’s became ill with norovirus, and Kent County Health Department investigators determined that an ill food worker had likely contaminated food at the restaurant before it was catered out. Marler Clark represented several people who became ill with norovirus after eating food prepared at Blimpie’s in claims against the restaurant.
In 2003, dozens of people became ill with Salmonella infections after eating food prepared at Bogey’s restaurant in the Clarkston, Washington, Quality Inn hotel. Marler Clark represented eight people who were part of the outbreak, including a man who developed reactive arthritis, in claims against the restaurant.
Marler Clark represented the sons of a Florida woman who suffered botulism and died after drinking contaminated Bolthouse Farms carrot juice in 2006. She was one of 6 people in the U.S. and Canada who became ill with botulism poisoning after consuming the carrot juice.
Marler Clark represents several victims of the 2010 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was traced to Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda Cheese sold and sampled at Costco Wholesale stores throughout the Southwestern United States. The law firm is pursuing lawsuits and legal claims on behalf of victims of this Gouda cheese E. coli outbreak.
Marler Clark represented several individuals in claims against the Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant after a norovirus outbreak at the restaurant’s Lansing, Michigan, location was the source of an outbreak. Illness was reported among residents of eight states and one Canadian province.
In the summer of 2002, over 100 people became ill with Salmonella infections after eating at the Brook-Lea Country Club near Rochester, New York. At least 95 of the cases were both culture-confirmed and linked epidemiologically to the consumption of food at Brook-Lea between June 1 and June 18, 2002. Then, on July 30, six more people became ill with Salmonella after eating at Brook-Lea. Marler Clark represented 70 individuals who were part of the outbreak in claims against the Country Club.
In 2005, the Arkansas Department of Health identified a Salmonella outbreak that was associated with the consumption of food prepared at the Cafe Santa Fe restaurant in Benton, Arkansas. Marler Clark represented several individuals who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating food from Cafe Santa Fe during the outbreak.
An outbreak of Salmonella Newport that sickened 23 people in 10 states was linked to raw alfalfa sprouts in March of 2010. The CDC reported illnesses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Thurston and Pierce counties of Washington State experienced an E. coli outbreak in May of 2008. Ten people were infected with E. coli O157:H7; all had recently eaten salads in local restaurants. The outbreak was traced to commercial, bagged romaine lettuce from the Salinas Valley, CA.
Marler Clark represented three victims of an E. coli outbreak at Camp Bournedale in October of 2009. The children were visiting Camp Bournedale from Lincoln Middle School in Lincoln, Rhode Island, when they became ill with E. coli infections that were ultimately traced to the consumption of ground beef produced by South Shore Meats.
In 2007, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation recalled 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties after Minnesota health officials traced Cargill ground beef patties as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The ground beef patties had been sold at Sam’s Club and other retail outlets across the United States. Marler Clark represents several families with members who became ill with E. coli during the outbreak, and has filed four lawsuits against Cargill.
In July and August of 2009, at least 40 Salmonella Newport cases that could be traced to the consumption of ground beef produced by Beef Packers, a subsidiary of Cargill, were reported in Colorado and other states. The strain of Salmonella Newport associated with the illnesses is resistant to commonly prescribed drugs normally used to treat Salmonella infection.
Marler Clark represents several victims of a 2011 Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak that was traced to Cargill ground turkey products. The law firm filed two Salmonella lawsuits against Cargill in August, 2011. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of an Oregon child and Missouri woman who were both hospitalized after contracting Salmonella Heidelberg infections after eating Cargill ground turkey.
Marler Clark represented a number of victims of a 2000 hepatitis A outbreak traced to a Carl’s Jr. restaurant in Spokane, Washington. The outbreak was traced back to a food handler who had contaminated vegetable garnishes while preparing food at the restaurant. In addition to people who contracted hepatitis A during the outbreak, Marler Clark filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all individuals who received immune globulin shots to prevent infection with haptitis A after exposure to the virus.
Carneco Foods recalled 497,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties after its products were identified as the source of a 2004 E. coli outbreak among Minnesota and Wisconsin residents. Marler Clark represented a 10-year-old boy who became ill with an E. coli infection after eating Carneco ground beef purchased under the Northern Plains brand from a Sam’s Club store in Eagan, Minnesota.
Marler Clark represented several people who became ill with norovirus after eating at a Carrabba’s Italian Restaurant in Lansing, Michigan, in 2006. During its investigation, the Barry-Eaton Heath District identified over 400 people who were part of the outbreak traced to Carrabba’s.
In May of 2010, several dozen people became ill with Salmonella infections after consuming food prepared at the Casa Lopez restaurant in Athens, Ohio. Marler Clark represented 7 clients in claims against the restaurant.
In 2007, Castleberry’s Food Company announced that it was recalling millions of pounds of canned chili products for potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism poisoning. Victims from Indiana, Ohio, and Texas were all identified during the botulism outbreak. Marler Clark represented an Ohio man in a botulism claim against Castleberry’s that was resolved in 2008, and represents additional clients in claims against the company.
Between February and March of 2009, public health officials identified 235 cases of Salmonella as part of an outbreak associated with the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated alfalfa sprouts. People from 14 states became ill after eating the contaminated sprouts. Caudill, an Italian seed supplier, withdrew its alfalfa seeds from the market following the outbreak.
Marler Clark has filed three Salmonella lawsuits on behalf of victims of these outbreaks.
Marler Clark represented the family of a child who became ill with E. coli O157:H7 and hemolytic uremic syndrome while attending CCC Alternative Learning Daycare in Fort Worth Texas, in 2002. The Tarrant County Public Health Department found several circumstances which could have contributed to the child’s exposure to E. coli.
Marler Clark represented 78 individuals in claims against Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurant after its Beaver Valley Mall location near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was identified as the source of a hepatitis A outbreak in 2003. The firm also represented thousands who received immune globulin injections to prevent hepatitis A infection in a class action lawsuit against the company. The outbreak was ultimately traced to the consumption of contaminated green onions imported from Mexico.
In 2003, a Chili’s restaurant in a Chicago suburb was identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak that ultimately resulted in over 300 illnesses. The public health investigation into the outbreak revealed that Chili’s had operated despite the fact that at times during the outbreak the restaurant either lacked running water completely, or lacked hot water, which contributed to the spread of Salmonella in the restaurant. Marler Clark represented 49 people in claims against Chili’s.
In 2001, the Minnesota Department of Health identified a China Buffet restaurant in Alexandria as the source of an E. coli outbreak. Five people were hospitalized during the outbreak. Marler Clark represented a woman who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and was in the hospital for several months.
Since the news broke in September, 2008 that Chinese infant milk formula was contaminated with Melamine, at least 55,000 (official count ) to as many as 94,000 (Reuters) children have been sickened, four have died, and Chinese food products are being pulled worldwide. Melamine has been found in candy, chocolate, soda, and even on vegetables. Bill Marler was in China as a featured speaker of the China International Conference on Food Safety and Quality when the story broke, and blogged on the unfolding crisis.
In late April 2008, San Diego County health officials announced that a number of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV ) infections had been traced to a Chipotle Grill restaurant located at 8005 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, California, near San Diego. Health officials advised customers who had eaten at the restaurant between March 1 and April 22 that they might be at risk for infection. As of early May, more than twenty people who ate at the La Mesa restaurant have tested positive for HAV infection. Seven of those victims have contacted Marler Clark for assistance with their cases, and three lawsuits have been filed.
In 2008, the municipal water system for the City of Alamosa, Colorado, was identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a bottled water advisory for residents of Alamosa and flushed the municipal water system, but not before hundreds of people were sickened. Marler Clark represented victims of the Salmonella outbreak in claims against the city, and filed a lawsuit on their behalf on March 1, 2010. The claims were approved by the City’s insurer on September 16, 2010.
In 1995, Randall Terlicker was one of four firefighters killed in a warehouse blaze in Seattle. Bill Marler represented his family in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Seattle Fire Department.
In 2002, ConAgra Beef Company recalled nearly 19 million pounds of ground beef for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination after the company’s products were identified as the source of an E. coli outbreak affecting dozens of people from Ohio to Colorado. In all, 45 people in 23 states reported illnesses traced back to E. coli-contaminated ConAgra ground beef. Marler Clark represented 23 victims of the outbreak.
An outbreak of Salmonella Chester in 18 states has been linked to Marie Callender’s Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Dinners, a ConAgra product.
Marler Clark represented thousands of victims of the 2006-2007 Salmonella outbreak that was traced to the consumption of contaminated Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter in a class action lawsuit. The firm also represented clients who were hospitalized in individual claims against ConAgra.
In 2007, public health officials from the CDC and several states collaborated on an outbreak investigation that lead to the discovery that ConAgra’s Banquet and store-brand chicken and turkey pot pies were the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. Marler Clark filed six lawsuits on behalf of the victims of the outbreak.
Marler Clark represented 14 people who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating chopped liver or salad at Corky & Lenny’s restaurant outside of Cleveland in 2006. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health identified 48 confirmed cases of Salmonella associated with the outbreak.
Marler Clark represents over a dozen victims of an E. coli O111:NM outbreak that occurred among patrons of the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, during the summer of 2008. The outbreak was the largest E. coli O111 outbreak in US history, with 341 illnesses reported, 70 hospitalizations, and one death attributed to consumption of food at Country Cottage.
Marler Clark is representing victims of a 2011 E. coli outbreak linked to Tenino, Washington-based raw milk producer, Cozy Valley Creamery.
In October, 2004, approximately 106 people became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after visiting the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. The outbreak was the largest in North Carolina state history, and several children suffered Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome secondary to E. coli infection. Marler Clark represented families of children sickened during the outbreak in claims against the fair.
On July 3, 2009, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) announced that it was investigating a cluster of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases associated with exposure to E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. In its press release, CCBOH stated that three children had become ill with HUS secondary to E. coli infection; two from Olmstead Falls and one from Strongsville and that two additional HUS cases were still under investigation. Marler Clark is investigating the source of the outbreak on behalf of victims.
Marler Clark’s Salmonella attorneys represented several victims of an outbreak traced to salame/salami sold by Daniele International, Inc. The company recalled approximately 1,240,000 pounds of ready-to-eat varieties of pepper-coated Italian sausage products after they were determined to be the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak in 2009/2010.
In 2001, Marler Clark was retained by 15 people who contracted hepatitis A after eating food prepared at D’Angelo’s Deli in Swansea, Massachusetts. The hepatitis A outbreak was traced back to a food worker who practiced improper hygiene while preparing food. In addition to those who became ill, Marler Clark represented over 1,000 people who were exposed to the hepatitis A virus and received immune globulin injections to prevent infection in a class action lawsuit against D’Angelo’s.
In 2005, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak was traced to the consumption of unpasteurized, or “raw”, milk produced at Dee Creek Farm of Woodlawn, Washington. Washington and Oregon residents became ill as part of the outbreak, and the farm, which was not licensed to sell unpasteurized dairy products, was fined. Marler Clark represented two families in claims against the farm.
In March 2011, Zeppoles made by DeFusco’s Bakery in Rhode Island were linked to a statewide Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 79 people, hospitalized 30, and killed two. Marler Clark is representing multiple victims in this outbreak and has filed one lawsuit to date.
Marler Clark Salmonella lawyers are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to Del Monte cantaloupe sold at Costco. Nearly 60,000 Del Monte Fresh Produce brand cantaloupes sold at Costco were recalled after a Salmonella Panama outbreak was linked to the company. At least 13 people in 5 states have been confirmed ill.
A July 17, 2010 wedding reception at the DiNolfo Catering and Banquet facility in Mokena Illinois has been pinpointed as the source of an outbreak of foodborne illness among the guests. A health department investigation is underway, with at least 50 people reporting symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever, and 4 hospitalizations.
Marler Clark represented seven individuals who became ill with E. coli infections, including one young child who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and whose kidneys failed, after consuming Dole brand bagged lettuce in the fall of 2005. Outbreak victims were identified in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Oregon.
Marler Clark represented 93 victims of the 2006 E. coli outbreak traced to Dole brand bagged baby spinach. The outbreak resulted in 205 confirmed E. coli cases, with 104 hospitalizations, 31 cases of HUS, and four deaths. A joint trace-back of baby spinach revealed that four spinach fields were the possible source of E. coli contamination in the outbreak, although public health investigators were not able to determine how the fields became contaminated. All cases were resolved.
In September, 2003 Shigella sonnei infections began to appear in Colorado, and were eventually traced back to a Doubletree Hotel located in Westminster, CO.
Raw milk from the Dungeness Valley Creamery in Sequim, Washington, was identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in early December of 2009. At least three people who drank the raw milk have tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 infection.
Marler Clark represented victims of a 2005 Salmonella outbreak in Williston, North Dakota. The firm represented the family of a woman who died after becoming ill with Salmonella, and her son-in-law, who also became ill during the outbreak.
Emmpak was identified as the ground beef producer whose products were the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened 58 individuals in 2002. As a result of the outbreak, Emmpak recalled 2.8 million pounds of ground beef for possible E. coli contamination. Marler Clark represented two women in claims against Emmpak.
Marler Clark represented the family of a woman who suffered debilitating injuries while in the care of the Evergreen Milton-Freewater Rehabilitation Center. The woman passed away while undergong rehabilitation for her injuries.
Marler Clark represented a young boy who was hospitalized for four days after eating a ground beef patty produced by Excel and purchased from a Georgia Sam’s Club in 2001. Three other Georgia children also tested positive for E. coli, and Excel recalled 190,811 pounds of ground beef and pork the company had supplied to supermarkets in the Southeast.
Marler Clark represents four victims of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that surfaced among residents of New England states and quickly spread across the country in October and November of 2009. On October 31, 2009, Fairbank Farms of Ashville, NY recalled approximately 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. By November 9, at least 25 people in 10 states had become ill with E. coli infections after consuming ground beef products produced by Fairbank Farms.
A Salmonella outbreak was traced to eclairs served at after-concert receptions held at the Macomb County Community College Performing Arts Center in Clinton Township, Michigan, in May of 2005. Marler Clark represented several women who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating contaminated eclairs at the receptions in claims against Fern Hill Golf and Country Club, the vendor who supplied the contaminated eclairs.
Marler Clark represented several victims of a Shigella outbreak that was traced back to food served at a Filiberto’s restaurant in San Diego. The outbreak resulted in 32 confirmed cases of Shigellosis.
In 2001, an E. coli outbreak among students at Finley Elementary School in Finley, Washington, was investigated by Washington Department of Health and Benton-Franklin Health Department investigators who determined that eleven children were part of the outbreak and that the source of the outbreak was under-cooked ground beef served in tacos for school lunch. Marler Clark represented all eleven children in a lawsuit against the school district and against the district’s meat supplier. The firm won a $4.6 million judgment against the school district.
Marler Clark represented two Colorado children who became ill with E. coli and HUS after consuming hamburgers made from Flanders Provision Company pre-formed, frozen hamburger patties in 2005. The kids’ illnesses were part of a nationwide e. coli outbreak traced to the Flanders product that had been distributed at Wal-Mart.
On September 6, 2008, 300-400 people attended a fund raiser for the volunteer fire department of Forest Ranch, CA. By September 24, twenty four of the people who ate at the BBQ fundraiser had tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, including a 6-year-old girl who was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Health officials have linked the outbreak to tri-tip beef served at the event.
Dozens of cases of E. coli O145 infection in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania were linked to Freshway romaine lettuce. Freshway voluntarily recalled the product.
Tri-tip steak prepared at the Fresno Meat Market was identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among Fresno County, California, residents in 2007. The Meat Market issued a recall of all cooked tri-tip sold during the days that were associated with the outbreak. Marler Clark represented several victims of the outbreak.
In 2004, an estimated 3,800 people received immune globulin injections to prevent hepatitis A infection after eating food prepared at the Friendly’s restaurant located in Arlington, Massachusetts. Marler Clark represented hundreds of customers and employees in a class action lawsuit seeking compensation for damages related to receiving the injections.
Marler Clark represented over a dozen victims of a Shigella outbreak that was traced back to food provided by Gate Gourmet, an airline caterer, on flights departing from the Honolulu, Hawaii, airport. The investigation into the outbreak revealed several food handling and safety violations at the Gate Gourmet food preparation facility.
Marler Clark represented dozens of children and teachers who became ill with ammonia poisoning after eating chicken tenders for school lunch at Laraway Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois. The public health investigation into the outbreak of poisoning revealed that the chicken tenders had been contaminated while in the Gateway Cold Storage facility outside of St. Louis, MIssouri.
In 2003, an E. coli outbreak was traced to lettuce served at restaurants and school district that had been supplied by Gold Coast Produce. The epidemiological investigation of the outbreak identified 50 individuals who had become ill with E. coli after eating Gold Coast Produce lettuce. Marler Clark represented 25 people in claims against the lettuce producer.
In 1999, a Golden Corral restaurant in central Nebraska was the source of an E. coli outbreak that sickened nearly 80 people. The outbreak was linked to contaminated lettuce served at the restaurant. Marler Clark represented victims of the E. coli outbreak in claims against Golden Corral.
Marler Clark represented nine people who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating food from the Golden Corral buffet-style restaurant in Kennesaw, Georgia, in 2003.
In August of 2003, an E. coli outbreak was traced to food served at the Habaneros restaurant in the St. Clair Square Mall. Health officials identified five confirmed cases of E. coli that were part of the outbreak. Marler Clark represented all five individuals in claims against the restaurant.
Marler Clark represented several victims of the outbreak of Salmonella that was traced to alfalfa sprouts produced by Harmony Farms, of Auburn, Washington. The sprouts were blamed for back-to-back outbreaks of Salmonella poisoning that sickened at least 16 people in Oregon and Washington in 2003.
Marler Clark represented several clients who suffered E. coli infections after consuming raw goat’s milk sold at Herb Depot in Barry County, Missouri in April of 2008. Missouri public health officials investigated the E. coli outbreak and traced the E. coli-contaminated, unpasteurized (or “raw”) goat’s milk to Autumn Olives Farm.
Marler Clark represented the family of Walter High, a man who was killed in a hit and run accident in King County, Washington, in a civil lawsuit against the man who was driving the car.
Marler Clark represented individuals who received immune globulin injections to prevent infection with hepatitis A after they were exposed to the virus at a Houlihan’s restaurant in Geneva, Illinois.
Marler Clark represented Washington and Idaho residents who became ill with E. coli infections after eating ground beef produced by Interstate Meat Distributors in 2007. The ground beef products were recalled after public health officials identified them as the source of an E. coli outbreak that ultimately sickened at least 8 people from 3 states.
In October of 2008 public health officials in Snohomish County, Washington traced an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak to the consumption of food at the Ixtapa restaurant in lake Stevens, Washington. At the conclusion of its investigation, the Snohomish County Health Department had identified sixty-four of E. coli linked to the consumption of food at Ixtapa restaurant. Four confirmed cases were hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
In 1993, the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak sickened over 700 people, most of them from Washington state. Lawyers now at Marler Clark handled most of the litigation, which resulted in individual and class-action settlements totaling more than $50 million – the largest payments ever involving foodborne illness.
Marler Clark represented several victims of the JBS Swift E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was announced in late June of 2009. The firm filed three lawsuits against the company. At least 23 people became ill with E. coli infection during the outbreak, which was traced back to meat cuts sold to retail outlets and establishments by JBS Swift’s Greeley, Colorado meat plant. Much of the meat was further processed into ground beef, and according to the CDC, E. coli was isolated from ground beef taken from an E. coli outbreak victim’s freezer. At least 17 outbreak victims were hospitalized, two with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Marler Clark represents dozens of victims of a multi-state Listeria outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms. At least 146 people from 28 states werepart of the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak.
In December of 2010 contaminated alfalfa sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurants nationwide were identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak that made at least 140 people ill nationwide. The sprouts were produced by Urbana, Illinois based Tiny Greens Organic Farm.
Marler Clark represented victims of a 2008 E. coli O157:NM outbreak among patrons Colorado Jimmy John’s restaurants. The E. coli outbreak was ultimately traced to contaminated sprouts sold by Sprouts Extraordinaire and served in menu items at Jimmy John’s.
In 2000, the New Jersey Department of Health investigated the E. coli infection and subsequent death of a 20-month-old boy who had eaten a hamburger before becoming ill. In the course of the investigation, Department of Health workers determined that the hamburger had been made from meat purchased at Karl Ehmer meats and that the meat had been supplied to Karl Ehmer by IBP. Marler Clark represented the boy’s family in a claim against Karl Ehmer and IBP.
Coleslaw was identified as the source of an E. coli outbreak among customers of KFC restaurants in southwestern Ohio counties in 1999. Health department officials cited several food handling and preparation violations that could have led to the contamination. Marler Clark represented a woman who nearly died after developing hemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to her E. coli infection.
Marler Clark represented two children who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating contaminated popcorn chicken purchased at a KFC in Lafayette, Colorado, in 2002. The Boulder County Health Department cited the restaurant for poor employee hygiene and failure to maintain food at proper temperatures in its investigation report.
Marler Clark represented the family of a young boy who became ill with E. coli while attending the Kid’s Korner daycare in Joplin, Missouri, in 2004. Several children who attended the daycare became ill with E. coli during the outbreak, which could have been perpetuated due to deficiencies conducive to the spread of disease noted by health department investigators.
Marler Clark represented the families of children who became ill with E. coli while attending the Kindercare facility in Folsom, California, in 2000. Public health officials determined that the source of the outbreak was the use of the same sponge to wipe down both a changing table and a table used for serving meals.
Twenty one children and one adult were infected ill with E. coli infections at a Chicago-area Kindercare in February of 2009.
Bill Marler represented the family of William Louth in a wrongful death lawsuit after he fell to his death when the bucket of a crane that was lifting him hit the ceiling of the Kingdome.
In 2002, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak was traced by the Wayne County Health Department to the King Garden buffet-restaurant in Wooster, Ohio. The outbreak was eventually traced to the consumption of Jell-O, which was believed to have been cross-contaminated with meat while it was cooling in the refrigerator. Marler Clark represented five children who became ill with E. coli during the outbreak.
At least 8 people were sickened with Campylobacter from consuming raw milk produced by the Kinikin Corner Dairy in Montrose, Colorado. The dairy was ordered to stop production of raw milk in early April, 2009.
In 2002, the largest E. coli outbreak in Oregon history was traced to the Lane County Fair in Eugene. Although the source of the outbreak was never identified, public health officials believe that individuals who became ill were exposed to E. coli bacteria in animal exhibition halls. Marler Clark represented many of the victims of the E. coli outbreak in claims.
Marler Clark represented victims of a 2001 Salmonella outbreak in Virginia. The outbreak was traced back to pork sandwiches that had been purchased from Linh’s Bakery, a Vietnamese delicatessen and bakery. Health department investigators concluded that sandwich ingredients were cross-contaminated, and left out at unsuitable temperatures that allowed for bacterial growth.
In 1998, a nationwide Salmonella outbreak was traced to the consumption of Malt-O-Meal Toasted Oats cereal. In all, 209 illnesses were reported to public health officials from ten states. Marler Clark represented victims of the outbreak in a class action lawsuit.
On April 5, 2008 the Malt-O-Meal Company of Minnesota recalled unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced with “Best If Used By” codes between April 8, 2008 (coded as “APR0808”) and March 18, 2009 (coded as “MAR1809”). The recalled product was distributed nationally, marketed under the Malt-O-Meal brand and as some private label brands including Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops, Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, and Weis Quality. A comprehensive listing of impacted products can be found at http://www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo.
In 2004, four people became ill with hepatitis A after eating at the Maple Lawn Dairy Family Restaurant in Elmira, New York. Marler Clark represented the family of a man who died after spending several months in the hospital with acute liver failure.
At least 32 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the Quad-City area of Illinois were traced to the consumption of food purchased at the Milan, Illinois McDonald’s restaurant or contact with people who consumed this food between May and August of 2009 and developed hepatitis A. Thousands of people received hepatitis A vaccinations or Immune Globulin injections to prevent infection with hepatitis A after being exposed to the virus. Marler Clark filed a class action lawsuit against McDonald’s on behalf of all people who received hepatitis A vaccinations or Immune Globulin injections to prevent hepatitis A infection, and two individual lawsuits on behalf of people who contracted hepatitis A infections and were hospitalized after eating at the Milan McDonald’s.
Marler Clark represented a woman who became severely ill with hepatitis A after eating food prepared at a Mount Vernon, Washington, McDonald’s restaurant. The woman was one of several people sickened after an assistant manager at the McDonald’s worked while infectious.
In February, 2011 30 people in Evanston, Illinois, were made ill with Clostridium perfringens after eating at a parent-teacher night catered by Merle’s BBQ.
National Steak and Poultry, an Oklahoma company, has recalled 248,000 pounds of beef products due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7. Illnesses in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington led investigators to the product. Ten other states have illnesses, and there has been one case of HUS. Most of the product was mechanically tenderized steaks.
At least 27 people, mostly children, have been infected with E. coli O157:H7 in Colorado, and that number is expected to grow. The illnesses have been linked to the National Western Stock Show, held in Denver in January.
Denis Stearns represented named plaintiffs Jeff Barreca and Lisa Hall in a class action lawsuit against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. The lawsuit accused Nationwide of “an unlawful and deceptive scheme” in which it improperly threatened uninsured motorists with the loss of their driver’s licenses while pretending to collect money on behalf of injured persons to whom Nationwide had sold UIM policies.
Several Minnesotans who purchased ground beef from Tabaka’s Supervalu in Longville, Minnesota, became ill with E. coli infections in 2006. Marler Clark represented several individuals, including members of a church who became ill with E. coli after eating the ground beef in spaghetti at a church supper, in claims against the producer of the ground beef, Nebraska Beef.
Marler Clark represented over a dozen victims of the 2008 nationwide E. coli outbreak that was traced to contaminated meat sold by Nebraska Beef. The meat company recalled millions of pounds of E. coli-contaminated meat in June, July, and August of 2008 after the product was determined to be the source of E. coli outbreaks among customers restaurants and retail establishments such as The Barbecue Pit, Kroger stores, and Whole Foods.
In June of 2009, Nestle USA recalled all refrigerated cookie dough products for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination after at least 76 people in 31 states who had eaten the product became ill with E. coli infections. A Nestle Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough bar produced in the company’s Danville, Virginia, plant subsequently tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Marler Clark represented 24 individuals who became ill with E. coli infections during the Nestle Toll House cookie dough E. coli outbreak.
In 1996, more than 65 people became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after drinking unpasteurized juices manufactured by Odwalla. Marler Clark represented a number of children who became ill with E. coli O157:H7 and hemolytic uremic syndrome during the outbreak, and resolved their claims for a reported $12 million. In addition to paying damages to victims of the outbreak, Odwalla plead guilty to criminal charges and paid a $1.5 million fine.
Marler Clark represented several victims of a 2005 Salmonella outbreak that was traced to food served at the Old South restaurant in Camden, South Carolina. More than 300 people became ill with Salmonella during the outbreak, which was the result of an oven malfunction that led to under-cooking of roast turkey.
Marler Clark represented several victims of an E. coli O169:H41 outbreak in 2005. The outbreak was traced to the consumption of food prepared at the Olive Garden restaurant in Gresham, Oregon.
In 2005 the consumption of unpasteurized orange juice products manufactured by the Orchid Island Juice Company of Ocala, Florida was determined to be the link between Michigan, Ohio, and Massachusetts residents who had become ill with Salmonella infections. The outbreak soon grew to include residents of at least 16 states and the company issued a nationwide recall of all unpasteurized orange juice products. Marler Clark represented several individuals who became ill with Salmonella infections during the outbreak.
Marler Clark represented the families of two children who became ill with E. coli infections and hemolytic uremic syndrome after consuming unpasteurized dairy products purchased from Organic Pastures in California. The two children were part of a larger outbreak that the California Department of Health Services traced back to Organic Pastures’ raw milk and colostrum.
In 2004, an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state public health agencies resulted in the documentation of at least 29 patients in 12 states and Canada with matching Salmonella Enteritidis isolates dating as far back as September, 2003. All cases were determined to have been the result of consumption of raw almonds produced by Paramount Farms of California. As a result, Paramount Farms recalled roughly 18 million pounds of raw almonds. Marler Clark represented 17 individuals who became ill with Salmonella infections after eating raw almonds in claims against Paramount Farms.
In the summer of 2007, the City of Chicago Department of Health announced that hundreds of people had become ill with Salmonella infections after consuming hummus shirazi served at the Pars Cove booth at the Taste of Chicago festival. Marler Clark was retained by 23 clients to pursue claims against Pars Cove.
In 2005, several clusters of E. coli O157:H7 illness were reported in Washington and Oregon. Through an investigation, public health officials determined that the clusters were related and that the illnesses had been caused by the consumption of E. coli-contaminated parsley served at restaurants. Marler Clark represented a woman who became ill with E. coli in a claim against the parsley supplier.
At least 714 people in 46 states were confirmed ill with Salmonella Typhimurium infection after consuming peanut and peanut butter products produced by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) in 2008 and 2009. The Minnesota health department first listed a product advisory on January 9, 2009, when the presence of Salmonella was detected in King Nut peanut butter.
Marler Clark represented a young girl in a claim against Peninsula Village, a long and short-term treatment center for children, after she contracted an E. coli infection while staying at the facility. The girl and a boy who was staying at Peninsula Village became ill with E. coli infections after eating hamburgers prepared in the facility’s kitchen. She was hospitalized for several weeks with hemolytic uremic syndrome and suffered permanent kidney damage.
Marler Clark represented three individuals in claims against PM Beef Holdings after the company’s ground beef was determined to be the source of their E. coli O157:H7 infections in 2007. The beef had been purchased at Lunds and Byerly’s stores in Minnesota.
Marler Clark filed a class action lawsuit against Quizno’s on behalf of all people who received immune globulin injections to prevent infection with hepatitis A after a Boston Quizno’s employee was diagnosed with the virus.
In October of 2007, Minnesota health officials became aware of a Salmonella outbreak in Rochester, Minnesota, and concluded that the source of the outbreak was food served at a Quizno’s restaurant. Further investigation implicated tomatoes served at Quizno’s as the source of the outbreak. Marler Clark represented several individuals who became ill with Salmonella during the outbreak in claims against Quizno’s.
Los Angeles County health officials traced the source of a Norovirus outbreak that hit the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards in 2002. At least 550 guests at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles became ill with Norovirus infections after consuming foods catered by the hotel kitchen.
Marler Clark represented 34 children who became ill with E. coli infections after consuming homemade butter served to students during a classroom demonstration at Prospect Elementary School in Robeson County, North Carolina, in the fall of 2001.
Marler Clark represented the family of a woman who died after becoming ill with an E. coli infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome during an outbreak at Robinswood Pointe Senior Living Facility in 2005. The woman was one of eleven residents and four employees who were stricken with E. coli during the outbreak, which was traced to food prepared in the Robinswood Pointe kitchen.
Marler Clark represented individuals who became ill during an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was traced to ground beef served at Tony Roma’s restaurants in late 2007 and early 2008. Tony Roma’s purchased the ground beef from the Rochester Meat Company of Rochester, Minnesota, which recalled 188,000 pounds of meat after the E. coli outbreak was announced.
Rocky Mountain Natural Meats recalled a total of 66,776 pounds of bison meat due to potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Marler Clark is pursuing a claim on behalf of a victim of an outbreak traced to the bison meat.
Marler Clark represented victims of a 2002 Shigella outbreak that was traced to the Royal Fork restaurant in Mt. Vernon, Washington. The outbreak’s source was an infected food worker who did not practice proper hygiene.
In July, 2008, at least 84 people who attended a Boy Scout camp in Rockbridge County, Virginia were infected with E. coli O157:H7. At least 30 victims were laboratory confirmed to have E. coli O157:H7, and 8 of those sickened required hospitalization. The illnesses were investigated by health officials, who reported that ground beef served at the camp tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 matching the genetic strain in the infected people. The ground beef was manufactured and sold by S & S Foods, LLC of California, which recalled 153,630 pounds of its ground beef products as a result of the investigation and outbreak.
In 2000, a San Antonio Taco Company franchise in Nashville, Tennessee, was the source of a large Salmonella outbreak. The Metropolitan Health Department identified several potential sources of contamination, including improper hygiene and food safety lapses. In all, at least 30 people tested positive for Salmonella. Marler Clark represented several victims of the outbreak.
The Texas Department of State Health Services determined that a 2010 Listeria outbreak that killed at least four was caused by by chopped celery produced by Sangar Fresh Cut Produce. Marler Clark represents the family of one of the victims.
Marler Clark is representing victims of a 60-person E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce sold in salad bars in Schnucks supermarket locations.
Bill Marler filed a wrongful death suit against five teens and their parents for the death of Michael Schuerhoff, on behalf of the Scheurhoff family. The suit contended that the five boys pushed Michael to his death from an abandoned trestle, and then failed to rescue him, allowing him to drown in the Sammamish River in Bothell, Washington.
Marler Clark represented a woman who became ill with Salmonella and was hospitalized after eating at the Seasons on the Pond restaurant in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in 2003. The woman was one of 51 Salmonella cases linked to the consumption of food at the restaurant.
A cryptosporidium parvum, or “crypto” outbreak at the Seneca Lake State Park spraypark resulted in thousands of illnesses in 2005. Marler Clark filed a class action lawsuit against the State of New York, which operates the spraypark, and continues to litigate claims that resulted from illness after exposure to crypto through the spraypark’s water system.
Marler Clark represented 37 people who became ill with Shigellosis after consuming seven-layer dip manufactured by Senor Felix and distributed to stores across the West Coast in 2000. The public health investigation into the outbreak led to the discovery that the dip manufacturer’s food safety practices were insufficient to prevent the spread of Shigella and other bacteria.
Marler Clark represented 137 victims of a 2004 Salmonella outbreak among patrons of Sheetz convenience stores. The outbreak was ultimately traced to contaminated tomatoes served in Sheetz’ salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Public health investigators were never able to determine the source of the tomatoes.
In 2005, at least 30 people who had eaten at the Si Casa Flores restaurant in Grants Pass, Oregon, became ill with norovirus. The Josephine County Health Department investigated the outbreak and determined that improper sanitation could have contributed to the outbreak. Marler Clark represented seven people who became ill with norovirus after eating at Si Casa Flores.
In 2000, 62 confirmed E. coli cases were reported among patrons of two Milwaukee-area Sizzler restaurants. Dozens of people were hospitalized, four developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and one child died. Marler Clark represented 18 clients in claims against Sizzler USA and Excel, the restaurant’s meat supplier.
In 2003, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among residents of The Sequoias, a retirement center in San Mateo County, was reported to public health officials. The San Mateo County Health Services Agency investigated the outbreak and determined that spinach served out of The Sequoias’ dining center by Sodexho was the source of the outbreak. Marler Clark represented the family of a woman who died and another elderly woman in claims against Sodexho.
Marler Clark represented six people who became ill with hepatitis A infections after consuming Soleil Produce lettuce. The lettuce was served on the set of “The Good German” while the movie was being filmed in 2005.
Marler Clark represented a number of victims of an E. coli outbreak that was traced to Spokane Produce brand lettuce that was served in restaurants and at a dance camp held at Eastern Washington University in 2002.
Bill Marler represented Amber Kern, an 11-year-old Coeur d’Alene girl who was kidnapped and molested by a convicted pedophile in 1992, in a lawsuit against police and probation officers from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The lawsuit also named her abductor, Richard John Tarver.
Bill Marler filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the State of Washington, Asotin County, and Westley Allan Dodd on behalf of the parents of three young boys slain by Dodd in Clark County, Washington, in 1989. The lawsuit alleged that Dodd would have been in prison if it had not been for bureaucratic negligence.
In 2005, ground beef sold by Stop & Shop in Manchester, New Hampshire, was identified as the source of an E. coli case. Marler Clark represented the child, who became ill and developed HUS after eating a hamburger at a barbecue, in a claim against the grocery store.
In 1999, a hepatitis A outbreak was traced to food sold at a north Seattle Subway sandwich shop. The public health investigation resulted in the finding that an employee who worked while infectious had contaminated food served to customers. Marler Clark represented 31 clients who developed hepatitis A during the outbreak in claims against Subway.
At least 116 people were confirmed ill with Shigella infections traced to a Subway restaurant in Lombard, IL in March of 2010. Msarler Clark represents 80 people sickened in this outbreak.
A widening outbreak of Salmonella Hvittingfoss has sickened at 103 people in 28 Illinois counties. The outbreak has been linked by health authorities to Subway restaurants.
Marler Clark represented 55 of 80 people who became ill with Salmonella serotype Muenchen infections in 1999 after drinking unpasteurized orange juice. Epidemiological investigations by the Washington Department of Health, the Oregon Department of Health Services, and other state health departments, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identified unpasteurized orange juice products produced by Sun Orchard, Inc., an Arizona based company, as the source of the outbreak.
Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys are representing victims of a 42-person Salmonella outbreak linked to Turkish pine nuts imported by New Jersey-based Sunshine Commodities.
In 2003, public health officials in Wyoming identified 65 Salmonella cases that were associated with the consumption of food purchased at the Sunset House Restaurant in Cody, Wyoming. The Salmonella outbreak was traced to canned mushrooms.
Marler Clark represented over two dozen individuals in claims against Sushi King, the Bentonville, Arkansas, restaurant that was determined to be the source of a Salmonella outbreak in 2006. Public health officials learned through their investigation that imitation crab served in California rolls was statistically associated with illness. In addition, five employees tested positive for Salmonella.
In 2002, public health investigators determined that cantaloupe was the source of a Salmonella outbreak among residents of ten states and four Canadian provinces. Marler Clark represented an 85-year-old Washington man in a Salmonella claim against the cantaloupe importer, I. Kunick.
Marler Clark represented six victims of the 2006 E. coli outbreak traced to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in the northeast. Residents of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and South Carolina were all part of the outbreak.
In 2000, Florida public health officials investigated a hepatitis A outbreak among residents of several counties. An epidemiologic study revealed that the source of the outbreak was the consumption of food served at Taco Bell, specifically green onions. Marler Clark represented four clients in claims against Taco Bell.
Two outbreaks of Salmonella spanning 21 states and involving 155 confirmed ill has been linked to Yum! Brands restaurant chain Taco Bell.
Marler Clark represented nine individuals who became ill with E. coli infections after eating food purchased from Taco John’s locations in Iowa and Minnesota. The outbreak’s source was ultimately traced to a lettuce field in California.
Marler Clark represented the family of a young child who became ill with E. coli and HUS after eating a hamburger made from ground beef purchased at a Price Chopper store. The Albany County Health Department investigated the case and determined that the child’s illness was the result of the consumption of a Topps brand hamburger patty purchased from Price Chopper.
Marler Clark represented several victims of a 2007 E. coli outbreak that was traced to the consumption of ground beef produced by Topps Meats of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The meat producer recalled 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products after the outbreak was announced, and later filed for bankruptcy.
At least 79 people became infected with Salmonella in several Western states after consuming spices, sauces, and oils produced by Union International Foods between December of 2008 and April of 2009. The initial recall included spices distributed under the brand names Lian How and Uncle Chen. In mid-April, the recall was widened to include sauces and oils made by the company, which may have been contaminated in the production facility.
Marler Clark represented a Seatle-area woman whose legs and knees were broken when a crane fell on top of the pickup she was driving. The woman suffered life-long injuries; her claim was resolved for $1,000,000.
In 2007, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak was traced to the consumption of ground beef manufactured by United Food Group. The firm recalled approximately 5.7 pounds of ground beef. Fourteen illnesses were associated with the outbreak; Marler Clark represented five individuals in claims against UFG.
An E. coli outbreak was traced to ground beef products produced by Valley Meats. People from Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania who ate hamburgers made from frozen ground beef patties, as well as other ground beef products, became ill with E. coli infections as part of the outbreak.
Marler Clark represented 25 clients, mostly children, in claims against Robert’s American Gourmet, the company that sells Veggie Booty, a popular children’s snack that was recalled for Salmonella contamination after the product was identified as the source of an outbreak in 2007.
In 2001, a Salmonella outbreak among residents of several states was traced to the consumption of contaminated cantaloupe produced by a Mexican grower and imported by Shipley Sales Service of Nogales, Arizona. Marler Clark represented victims of the outbreak in claims against the importer.
Marler Clark represented 16 families with members who became ill with Shigella infections after eating food prepared at the Viva Mexico restaurant in Redwood City, California, in 2000. The restaurant was cited for several critical violations that could have contributed to the spread of Shigella bacteria in the restaurant.
Marler Clark represents victims of a Salmonella outbreak that was traced to contaminated jalapeno and Serrano peppers sold at Wal-Mart in 2008. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1442 people became ill with Salmonella Saintpaul infections after consuming the contaminated peppers. At least 286 people were hospitalized during the Salmonella outbreak, and two people’s deaths may have been related to their consumption of peppers.
Marler Clark represented 20 people in claims against Wal-Mart after the chain’s Greenwood, Indiana, store was identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak. Investigators determined that a deli slicer was the source of the outbreak, which lasted between May and August of 2006.
Denis Stearns represented Kathleen O’Connor in litigation against the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services after a state worker sexually assaulted her son. DSHS had denied access to public records, saying the act was not a tool to be used during pretrial discovery against the state. Stearns took the case to the Washington State Supreme Court, and won.
More than 100 inmates at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington, were infected with campylobacter jejuni blamed on poor food-handling in the prison kitchen. Health officials traced the infection to a leaky drain pipe contaminated with pigeon feces and leaking into the salad preparation area.
In 2000, a large E. coli outbreak was traced to Oregon Wendy’s restaurants. During its investigation into the outbreak, the Marion County Health Department (MCHD) and the Oregon Health Department determined that cross-contamination between raw meat and other food items was the source of the outbreak. Marler Clark represented 15 victims of the Wendy’s E. coli outbreak in claims against the restaurant chain.
Marler Clark represented several people who became ill with E. coli O121:H19 infections after eating food prepared at a Utah Wendy’s restaurant in 2006. Over 300 people were potentially exposed to E. coli at a luncheon catered by Wendy’s, and at least three individuals developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) during the outbreak.
In April of 2002, the Western Sizzlin’ restaurant in Spruce Pine, North Carolina was the source of a Salmonella outbreak that resulted in 39 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella infection. Marler Clark represented 31 people in claims against Western Sizzlin’.
In 1998, at least 26 children became ill with E. coli infections after visiting the White Water Water Park outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Marler Clark represented seven children and their families in litigation against the water park.
The Massachusetts Department of Health initiated an outbreak investigation November, 2007 following the report of an 87-year-old man, John Powers, who had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The investigation determined that Mr. Powers and 4 others contracted Listeria from pasteurized milk produced by Whittier Farms. Mr. Powers consumed coffee-flavored milk which was later determined to be contaminated with Listeria.
Marler Clark represented multiple clients in litigation against Wright County Egg after its eggs were determined to be the source of a 2010 nationwide Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak. All cases but one have been resolved.
Food prepared and served at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, was the source of a Salmonella outbreak in 2002. Health department investigators determined that an ill food-service worker had contaminated food while preparing it. Marler Clark represented 19 victims of the outbreak in claims against the hotel.