Taco John’s E. coli Outbreak Lawyers & Attorneys
In December of 2006, Iowa and Minnesota health officials investigated an E. coli outbreak that was traced to foods served at Taco John’s restaurants in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Albert Lea and Austin, Minnesota. As of December 13, 2006, the Iowa Department of Health had confirmed that at least 50 Iowans had become ill with E. coli infections after eating at Taco John’s. On December 18, 2006, the Minnesota Department of Health reported that 37 probable E. coli cases had been reported in connection with the Taco John’s E. coli outbreak, nine people were confirmed ill with E. coli, eight people were hospitalized, and one person had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
The Taco John’s E. coli outbreak was traced to contaminated lettuce sold in foods at Taco John’s restaurants that were supplied by a Minneapolis lettuce supplier. In response to the Taco John’s E. coli outbreak, Taco John’s agreed to reimburse ill individuals for medical expenses, and hired a new fresh produce supplier.
Marler Clark filed an E. coli lawsuit on behalf of a Cedar Falls, Iowa, family whose nine-year-old daughter was hospitalized with an E. coli infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome on December 14, 2006. The firm filed a second E. coli lawsuit against Taco John’s on December 19, 2006, and has been contacted by several other individuals who became ill with E. coli infections after eating at Taco John's restaurants in Iowa and Minnesota.
On January 12, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration issued a press release, which stated that the FDA and state health officials are closer to identifying the source of E. coli contamination associated with the E. coli outbreak at Taco John's restaurants in Minnesota and Iowa. The outbreak was traced to E. coli-contaminated lettuce, which was produced in California. According to the FDA release, at least 81 individuals became ill with E. coli infections after eating at Taco John's, including 33 from Minnesota, 47 from Iowa, and one from Wisconsin. Twenty-six people were hospitalized with E. coli infections, and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
DNA evidence collected by FDA, California, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin health officials suggests a link between the field where the E. coli-contamianted lettuce was grown and dairy farms near a lettuce growing area in California's Central Valley. The entire FDA press release can be found here.
On January 17, 2007, Marler Clark filed its third lawsuit against Taco John's. The third E. coli lawsuit was filed on behalf of an Albert Lea, Minnesota, resident and her minor show, who became ill with an E. coli infection after eating at an Albert Lea Taco John's restaurant.
Marler Clark has since filed motions to dismiss Taco John's as a defendant in these E. coli lawsuits, instead naming the Taco John's franchisees as defendants. Bill Marler was quoted by KARE TV as saying, "Ultimately, it's the franchisee that is responsible in these cases."
Taco John’s sued in E. coli case
E. coli Attorney Calls on Taco John's to Pay Victims' Medical Bills
Second E. coli lawsuit filed against Taco John’s by Iowa resident
Third E. coli Lawsuit Filed against Taco John’s by Seattle Law Firm
