In just a year and a half, the American meat industry has experienced a whiplash of beef recalls.  40 million pounds of meat tainted with highly toxic E. coli O157:H7 has been publicly recalled, up by a staggering factor of two hundred from the 2006 amount of only 181,900 pounds. 

An outbreak of the highly toxic E. coli O157:H7 at a Boy Scout camp in Goshen, Virginia is the latest statistic in an alarming increase in E. coli in the US.  Since the spring of 2007, more than 40 million tons of contaminated beef have been recalled, hundreds have been sickened, and some of the ill are fighting for their lives.  The Goshen outbreak has confirmed 14 illnesses with 10 hospitalizations, but as many as 70 may be sick. 

An outbreak of the highly toxic strain of E. coli O157:H7 in the Boston area appears to be part of a multi-state outbreak that has sickened more than 50 people in seven states.  The E. coli in the six confirmed illnesses in Boston has the same genetic fingerprint as the illnesses in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Georgia, and Utah.  Those illnesses have been traced to contaminated beef from Nebraska Beef, Ltd. of Omaha.

The first lawsuit stemming from the Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 1319 people, hospitalized 255 and caused the death of 2 in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Canada was filed today in the District Court of Montezuma County, Colorado.  The complaint was filed on behalf of Delores, Colorado resident Brian Grubbs against Wal-Mart and an unknown supplier, referred to as “John Doe”.  Mr. Grubbs is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Colorado attorney David Woodruff of Hillyard, Wahlberg, Kudla & Sloane.

A lawsuit was filed yesterday in the Circuit Court for Barry County, Missouri against Soni Copeland and the Herb Depot and Organic Market.  The petition was filed on behalf of Monett residents Brian and Angela Pedersen and their young son, Larry.  The Pedersen family is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Aleshire, Robb, and Sivils of Springfield, Missouri.

Food safety advocate and attorney William Marler is calling on the Meat Industry and the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to make the inspection reports from meat processing facilities visible and easily available to the public so that consumers—in including grocery stores and restaurants—can make informed choices on which products they want to purchase.

RE: Food Safety in the United States
Dear U.S. Congress Member:
I am writing to you because the American people are losing confidence in the U.S. government’s ability to keep our food supply safe.

The first Georgia lawsuit stemming from national E. coli outbreak linked to seven states was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division against Nebraska Beef Limited.  The complaint was filed on behalf of Evelyn and John M. Stewart of Moultrie, GA, who are represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Albany attorney F. Faison Middleton, IV of Watson, Spence, Lowe & Chambless, LLP.

As investigating health authorities grapple with the extent of the Nebraska Beef outbreak, more victims are asserting claims against the meat company.  The recent filing occurred today in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, on behalf of Pickerington , OH resident Dawn Grieves, who was infected with the toxic E. coli strain O157:H7 after eating ground beef processed by Nebraska Beef Ltd.  The plaintiff is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle firm that specializes in E. coli suits, and by Nicholas Philips of the Cleveland area firm of Phillips, Mille and Constabile.

The widening cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections in Georgia may be linked to an outbreak E. coli illnesses in Ohio and Michigan.  The Moultrie Observer and WALB report that preliminary testing has linked the Georgia cases to the 41 in Ohio and Michigan, which have been traced back to beef products from Nebraska Beef Ltd. of Omaha. 

In a press release issued today, Nebraska Beef attempted to downplay the seriousness of its recall of over 265 tons of ground beef, beef chuck, other beef products because of possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7.  It claims “The Company has processed over 10 billion pounds of product without a confirmed customer illness.” Nebraska Beef’s press release does not define what it considers a “confirmed customer illness,” but it does not appear to be the same standard that the USDA and the CDC used in deciding to press for the Class I Recall, based on “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” See USDA Recall Release, 022-2008, June 30, 2008

The first E. coli lawsuit stemming from the Ohio and Michigan E. Coli outbreak was filed today in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County, OH against Kroger and its as yet unidentified meat supplier (“John Doe”). [An amended complaint naming Nebraska Beef Ltd was filed on July 2, 2008.] The complaint was filed on behalf of a New Albany resident who was infected with the toxic E. coli strain O157:H7 after eating ground beef purchased from a Dublin, Ohio Kroger.  The plaintiff is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Nicholas Philips of the Cleveland area firm of Phillips, Mille and Constabile.

With the Michigan State Health Department linking Kroger ground beef to many of the illnesses in Michigan (which have also been linked to illnesses in Ohio), Kroger must recall all possibly contaminated ground beef and tell the public who supplied it, said Seattle food safety attorney William D. Marler.

The search for the source of salmonella-tainted tomatoes that have sickened at least 613 people in 33 states has been powered by genetic fingerprinting – the technology that allows public health investigators to go beyond serotyping to identify clusters of illness.  PFGE—pulsed-field gel electrophoresis—is the testing process used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health laboratories to analyze the DNA of bacterium.  Specimens with indistinguishable DNA are said to share a common ancestry.  When combined with epidemiological information, PFGE analysis has proven to be a powerful tool in outbreak detection.

A third hepatitis A lawsuit was filed today against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., in San Diego County Superior Court.  The complaint was filed on behalf of two Santee residents, Nick Sowter and Shannon Jacobs (husband and wife).  Both were infected with hepatitis A after eating food from the Chipotle Grill in La Mesa, California, in March and April 2008.  The couple is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and Keeney, Waite, & Stevens, a San Diego area firm.

The CDC, public health officials in 28 states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working together on an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human salmonella serotype saintpaul infections linked to the consumption of raw tomatoes.  According to food borne illness attorney William Marler, this isn’t the first time tomatoes are the source of salmonella infections.

Accomplished foodborne illness attorney R. Drew Falkenstein is a featured speaker at the Alabama Environmental Health Association (AEHA) Annual Education Conference being held this week in Florence.  Mr. Falkenstein will present You Break It, You Bought it: Incentivising Food Safety by Making Restaurants Reimburse Outbreak Costs on Thursday, June 19 at 9:35 a.m. at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Place in Florence.

Bruce Clark, accomplished personal injury lawyer and expert in foodborne illness litigation, will speak at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IAMA) World Forum and Symposium.  Mr. Clark will be speaking on Tuesday, June 17 at 2:00 p.m., in a panel titled Managing Food Safety and Health Concerns.  The conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey. 

William Marler, food safety advocate and expert in foodborne illness litigation, will speak at the Inaugural British Food Journal Annual Lecture on Tuesday, 17 June from 11:00 a.m.  His lecture, titled “Caused Food Poisoning?  See You in Court” will be presented at the Royal Institute of Public Health, 28 Portland Place, London W1B 1DE.  On Wednesday, 18 June, Mr. Marler will speak at the Food Network Wales/United Kingdom Association for Food Protection (UKAFP) Conference at the Village Hotel, 29 Pendwyallt Rd, Cardiff CF14.

The CDC, public health officials in several states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working together on an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human salmonella serotype saintpaul infections linked to the consumption of tomatoes.  According to food borne illness attorney William Marler, this isn’t the first time tomatoes are the source of salmonella infections.

Ten confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection found in north Thurston and south Pierce counties have been traced to bagged, commercial romaine lettuce, commonly used in food service (not sold retail).  The Washington State Health Department says four cases of infection with the highly toxic E. coli O157:H7 were identified in Thurston County, and six in Pierce County.  Some of the victims were hospitalized.  All eaten salad at different locations, indicating that those locations probably got their lettuce from a single source.

New Mexico health officials have announced that uncooked tomatoes appear to be the source in the salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 31 people since early May.  The specific strain—known as salmonella St. Paul—has infected residents of seven New Mexico counties: Dona Ana, Socorro, Curry, McKinley, San Juan, Bernalillo, and Sandoval.  Nearby states including Texas, Utah, and Colorado, and Arizona have reported infections by salmonella St. Paul, and investigations are continuing.

William Marler, national expert in food borne illness litigation and accomplished personal injury lawyer, will speak at the Food Safety: Farm to Table conference, a collaborative effort between Washington State University and the University of Idaho.  Mr. Marler is the keynote speaker, opening the conference on Wednesday, May 28th at 8:45 AM with the topic Outbreak Update Trends 2006-2008.  The conference is being held at the University Inn Best Western, 1516 Pullman Road, Moscow, Idaho.

An E. coli lawsuit was filed today against Yum Brands—the parent company of Taco Bell—in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Debra Moyer, a resident of Boyertown, PA, who became gravely ill with an E. coli infection after eating contaminated food from a Taco Bell in Gilbertsville (about 40 miles NW of Philadelphia).  Ms. Moyer is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and the Ferrara Law Firm of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 

A second Hepatitis A lawsuit was filed today against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., in San Diego County Superior Court.  The complaint was filed on behalf of San Diego resident Rhonda Salgado, who was infected with Hepatitis A after eating food from the Chipotle Grill in La Mesa, California, between February and April 2008.  Ms. Saldago is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and Keeney, Waite, & Stevens, a San Diego area firm.

A lawsuit was filed today against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., in San Diego County Superior Court for the recent hepatitis A outbreak linked to a La Mesa Chipotle restaurant.  Terry Wesley, the plaintiff, became infected with hepatitis A after eating in March and April at the Chipotle Grill on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, California.  Mr. Wesley is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and Keeney, Waite, & Stevens, a San Diego area firm.

William Marler, national expert in food borne illness litigation and accomplished personal injury lawyer, will speak at the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences on Tuesday, May 6 at 3:00 PM.  He is a guest lecturer in the Food: Safety, Risk, and Technology class taught by distinguished teaching professor Dr. Ted Labuza.

A report released by the influential Pew Commission yesterday on Industrial Farm Animal Production could result in chickens and cows receiving more humane treatment.  Pew’s recommendations, based on a two-year study, would eliminate practices standard on “factory farms”.  In California, a pending anti-cruelty initiative on the ballot would address the same abuses. 

William Marler, managing partner of Seattle-based Marler Clark, has been selected for a prestigious law award recognizing his work on behalf of a safer food supply.  The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA) has selected him for the 2008 Public Justice Award, which is bestowed upon “an individual or organization whose efforts, courage, litigation, or innovative work results in the creation of a more just society”.  The award will be presented to Mr. Marler at the May 1, 2008 Law Day Dinner. 

William Marler, managing partner of Seattle-based Marler Clark, has been selected for two prestigious law awards.  The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA) has selected him for the 2008 Public Justice Award, and the King County Bar Association (KCBA) has given him the 2008 Outstanding Lawyer Award.

San Diego is the latest in a series out outbreaks and exposure to hepatitis A via restaurant food and/or infected workers.  County health officials there say they are investigating twelve cases of hepatitis A linked to a Chipotle Mexican Grill in La Mesa.

SEATTLE, WA Residents of Maine and Minnesota are confirmed infected with Salmonella Agona, the strain of Salmonella identified in the Malt-O-Meal recall, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that at least 14 other states are reporting illnesses.  Two victims have been hospitalized in Maine, and more than 23 cases are under investigation by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is hosting a public meeting to discuss the challenges and proposed solutions for reducing the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin producing E. coli in raw beef.  The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Georgetown, 2101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC.  The meeting will feature various presentations and panel discussions by FSIS officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, representatives from industry and consumer groups, as well as by William Marler, a prominent food-borne illness attorney whose firm represents those sickened by the pathogen. 

Few subjects draw more immediate attention or concern than the safety of the food we eat, and Seattle University School of Law will host an in-depth conference to address the issue. “Who’s Minding the Store: The Current State of Food Safety and How It Can Be Improved,” a conference organized and sponsored by Marler Clark and Stoel Rives, will take place April 11 and 12 at Sullivan Hall on the Seattle University campus. 

An E. coli lawsuit was filed today against Rochester Meat Company in Wisconsin Federal District Court. The lawsuit, which stems from an E. coli outbreak traced to Rochester Meat Company’s ground beef products in late 2007 and early 2008, was filed on behalf of a Fitchburg, Wisconsin family. The family is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm nationally recognized for its efforts on behalf of victims of foodborne illness.

Marler Clark will file a lawsuit Thursday against Castleberry’s Food Co., the company that recalled tens of millions of pounds of canned meat products sold under over 80 different labels after they were identified as the source of a botulism outbreak in July, 2007. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on behalf a New London, Ohio resident who became ill with botulism poisoning after consuming Castleberry’s Chili Sauce in late June of 2007.

The Marler Clark network of food poisoning informational Web sites, which first appeared online in 1998, recently received a makeover. The sites, which were originally put online to provide Internet users with basic information about the illnesses caused by such foodborne pathogens as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Hepatitis A, have increased in breadth over the years to include information about complications caused by foodborne pathogens: hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), reactive arthritis (Reiter’s Syndrome), and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Marler Clark Lawyer says Federal and State Regulators Play a High-Risk Game with Consumers

Public health officials in Washington, DC, California, and Wisconsin are playing a dangerous game with American consumers by refusing to reveal the specific stores or restaurants that may have served meat contaminated by toxic E. coli, says the Seattle lawyer who represents victims of food-borne illness.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Saturday that the Rochester Meat Company was recalling 188,000 pounds of ground beef for E. coli contamination. The recalled ground beef was produced on October 30, 2007 and November 6, 2007 for sale to restaurants and food service institutions. The recall was the result of an E. coli outbreak investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the California Department of Public Health that identified at least five people who had became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating Rochester Meat Company ground beef products. 

Public health officials in Washington, DC, California, and Wisconsin are playing a dangerous game with American consumers by refusing to reveal the specific stores or restaurants that may have served meat contaminated by toxic E. coli, says the Seattle lawyer who represents victims of food-borne illness.

A lawsuit was filed today against ConAgra, the company whose Banquet pot pies were identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak in October. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on behalf of Malone, Wisconsin, resident Eric Mand, who ate a Banquet pot pie in September and became ill with a Salmonella infection. Mr. Mand is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness. 

Marler Clark filed a sixth lawsuit against ConAgra today on behalf of a victim of the Banquet pot pie Salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds. The lawsuit was filed in Yakima County Superior Court on behalf of Yakima resident Renee Barnes, who became ill with a Salmonella infection in May, 2007 after consuming a Banquet pot pie manufactured by ConAgra.

A Pasco, Washington man who became ill with Salmonella after eating a Banquet pot pie in September filed a lawsuit against ConAgra, the food manufacturer whose Banquet pot pies were recalled in October after they were identified as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington in Spokane by the Seattle law firm Marler Clark.

Marler Clark filed the firm’s second E. coli lawsuit against Cargill today on behalf of Elk River, Minnesota, residents John and Barb Reber and their son, Scott, who became ill with an E. coli infection and was hospitalized for three days after eating a hamburger made from a Cargill ground beef patty. This lawsuit was filed in Sherburne County District Court

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit today against ConAgra, the company whose Banquet and store-brand chicken and turkey pot pies were identified as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak in September. The lawsuit was filed in Grand Traverse County Superior Court on behalf of Traverse City resident David Small. 

A lawsuit was filed today against ConAgra, the company whose Banquet chicken and turkey pot pies were identified as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. The lawsuit was filed Snohomish County Superior Court on behalf of Snohomish County resident Eric Robertson, whose 2-year-old daughter, Rebecca, became ill with a Salmonella infection after eating a Banquet pot pie. 

SEATTLE, WA (October 17, 2007) – A lawsuit seeking punitive damages was filed today against Topps, the New Jersey beef supplier that recalled nearly a year’s supply of frozen ground beef patties after its products were identified as the source of an E. coli outbreak in September. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Groton, New York, residents Keith and Kristin Goodwin and their 8-year-old son, Lucas, in Tompkins County Supreme Court by Seattle-based Marler Clark and Rochester-based Underberg & Kessler

Bill Marler, the Seattle attorney who has dedicated his law practice to representing victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness outbreaks, called today on Cargill to front medical costs for victims of an E. coli outbreak traced to the company’s frozen ground beef patties. Victims of the outbreak include families of children who have been hospitalized in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Marler Clark filed an E. coli lin Minnesota against Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, the meat company whose frozen ground beef products were identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in September and October. The lawsuit was filed in Dakota County District Court on behalf of Dakota County residents Eric and Jennifer Gustafson and their two children, Callie and Carson, who both suffered E. coli infections after eating Cargill ground beef patties at a barbecue in September. Callie’s E. coli infection led to hemolytic uremic syndrome, and she was hospitalized for seven days. 

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit today against ConAgra, whose Banquet and store-brand pot pies were identified as the source of a nation-wide Salmonella outbreak that has caused at least 152 confirmed cases of Salmonellosis and 20 hospitalizations. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the State of Minnesota (case no. 07-4220) on behalf of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, residents Joshua and Amy Reinert and their daughter, Isabelle, who will be two years old in December.

William Marler called on ConAgra this morning “to do the right thing for its customers and to immediately recall all of its Banquet Pot Pies without question and without hesitation.” According to a press release this morning, the CDC announced, “The outbreak appears to be ongoing.” Marler added, “As of last night these products were still on store shelves and in fact were on sale – 2 for $1.00. ConAgra, the USDA and all health authorities, should put people’s safety above sales.”

A lawsuit was filed today against Topps Meat Company, the meat producer whose ground beef products have been identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, and who expanded a ground beef recall to include 21.7 million pounds of meat over the weekend. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Albany County, New York, residents Robert and Catherine McDonald and their young daughter, who became ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection and was hospitalized after eating a hamburger made of Topps Meats ground beef on August 17th. The McDonald family is represented by the Seattle law firm, Marler Clark, and the upstate New York law firm Underberg & Kessler.

Bill Marler, food safety advocate and E. coli attorney, whose Seattle law firm, Marler Clark, has been contacted by four victims of the E. coli outbreak traced to the Topps 21,700,000 pound hamburger recall, called today on Topps to pay the medical bills and lost wages of all individuals who became ill with E. coli infections as part of the outbreak. “We know that at least twenty-five people became ill with E. coli infections after eating Topps hamburger,” Marler said. “The cost of treating victims of E. coli infections can run in the tens of thousands of dollars, or in a severe case, even in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Marler continued. “These families need Topps to do more than promise to cooperate in the investigation into this outbreak. They need to know that Topps intends to fulfill its corporate responsibility by looking out for its customers.”

Earlier this year J. Patrick Boyle, President and Chief Executive of the American Meat Institute, wrote in part in the New York Times: “Since 1999, the incidence of E. coli in ground beef samples tested by the Agriculture Department has declined by 80 percent to a fraction of a percent, a level once thought impossible.”

“At the time I agreed with Mr. Boyle,” said William Marler. “In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, E. coli outbreaks linked to tainted meat declined by 42 percent. But something has changed, and it has not changed for the better.”

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service yesterday announced that Topps Meat Company of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was recalling 331,582 pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recall was prompted by a combined New York Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigation into an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was determined to have been caused by consumption of Topps ground beef products.

A lawsuit was filed today against Interstate Meats, Inc., the Clackamas, Oregon meat producer whose ground beef products were identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among Washington, Oregon, and Idaho residents in July and August. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington by Marler Clark on behalf of a King County resident who became ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection and was hospitalized for three days after eating Interstate Meats ground beef.

Food safety attorney Bill Marler spoke out from across the globe today after hearing that bagged spinach has once again been recalled for contamination with a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen. Nearly a year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 205 illnesses and three deaths associated with consumption of E. coli O157:H7-contaminated Dole-brand bagged spinach, Metz Fresh of King City, California, recalled 8,118 cases of spinach for potential Salmonella contamination.

Bill Marler, an attorney who has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, including victims of botulism poisoning, called on Castleberry’s, the company whose chili and dog food products were recalled last month due to contamination with Clostridium botulinum, to pay all botulism outbreak victims’ medical bills today.

The owners of Pars Cove Persian Cuisine were named as the defendant in two more lawsuits filed today in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of three plaintiffs all of whom became ill with Salmonella infections days after eating at the Pars Cove booth at the Taste of Chicago festival. All plaintiffs are represented by Marler Clark LLP, a Seattle-based law firm.

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit today against Iran Echo International Corp., the owner of the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine booth that was identified as the source of a large Salmonella outbreak at this year’s Taste of Chicago festival. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of Kenneth and Donna Searcy, a Romeoville, Illinois, couple who ate food from the Pars Cove Taste of Chicago booth on July 2, and subsequently became ill with Salmonellosis.

On Wednesday July 18, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers about the risk of botulism poisoning from hot dog chili sauce marketed under a variety of brand names. The warning came after two Texas children and an Indiana couple who ate these products became ill with botulism and were hospitalized.

Classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone. These are all symptoms of the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. 

Marler Clark filed a second lawsuit against Robert’s American Gourmet Food, Inc. today in Albany County Supreme Court in New York. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Voorheesville, New York residents Patrick and Elex Scheels and two of their 20-month-old triplets who became ill with Salmonella Wandsworth infections after consuming Veggie Booty in April. 

A lawsuit was filed today in Federal District Court for the Western District of New York against Robert’s American Gourmet, the manufacturer of Veggie Booty, the snack food that was recalled on June 28 after public health officials identified the product as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Valparaiso, Indiana, residents David and Ashlee Allen, whose 18-month-old son, Xavier, became ill with a severe Salmonella infection after eating Salmonella-contaminated Veggie Booty in May, and continues to suffer from the effects of Salmonella. 

William Marler, a food safety advocate and attorney whose Seattle law firm, Marler Clark, has been contacted by five victims of a Salmonella outbreak traced to the consumption of Veggie Booty snack food, which is marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet, of Sea Cliff, New York, today called on the manufacturer to pay the medical bills of all individuals who became ill with Salmonella infections as part of the outbreak. 

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against the Meat Market, a Fresno, California, business that was identified as the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in May. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of an 80-year-old Fresno resident who became ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection and was hospitalized for 15 days with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli infection that caused his kidneys to fail, after eating “tri-tip” purchased from the Meat Market and served at a graduation party.

The first lawsuit stemming from an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to ground beef produced by United Food Group, Inc. (UFG) was filed yesterday in Riverside County Superior Court, in California. The lawsuit was filed against UFG by Seattle-based Marler Clark and San Diego-based Gordon and Holmes on behalf of a Hemet, California, couple whose four-year-old daughter became ill with an E. coli infection and was hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after eating UFG ground beef. 

A lawsuit was filed today against PM Beef Holdings, LLC and Lund Food Holdings, Inc., the producer and retailer who sold E. coli-contaminated ground beef traced to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Minnesota and Wisconsin residents in April, 2007. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Anne Herwig, a Minneapolis, Minnesota, resident who became ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection and was hospitalized after eating contaminated ground beef in April. Ms. Herwig is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm with a long track record of successfully representing victims of foodborne illness.

Marler Clark has been retained by victims of many recent E. coli outbreaks, and has been contacted by several more who are seeking legal representation. Bill Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark, commented on the recent outbreaks: “This up-tick in E. coli cases traced to meat products is certainly cause for concern. I hope we’re not seeing a reversal in all the progress that has been made in recent years to curb E. coli contamination in meat processing plants.”

Two victims of the 2005 E. coli outbreak traced to a petting zoo at the Florida Strawberry Festival resolved claims brought against the festival last week. Both victims, a woman and a young child, suffered hemolytic uremic syndrome and required extensive medical treatment, including dialysis, after contracting E. coli O157:H7 at the 2005 Florida Strawberry Festival. 

Marler Clark filed a class action lawsuit against ConAgra, the manufacturer of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter that was traced as the source of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak, on Tuesday, February 20, 2007. The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of all individuals who became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infections, but were not hospitalized as a result of their infections, and who have strong evidence of consumption of Salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and a resulting Salmonella infection. The class action lawsuit follows on the heels of two lawsuits Marler Clark filed on Friday, February 16, 2007. 

A Salmonella lawsuit was filed Friday in Missouri against ConAgra, the Omaha, Nebraska-based food company whose Georgia peanut butter plant was traced as the source of a Salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Buchannan County, Missouri, couple and their two children. The family is represented by Seattle-based Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, and Springfield, Missouri-based Aleshire, Robb & Sivils. 

A New York family filed suit against ConAgra this afternoon in United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The lawsuit was filed by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of a Missouri family early Friday, and Rochester, New York, attorney Paul Nunes. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Nicolas Avalone and Tracy Hubright of Ontario, New York. 

A class action lawsuit will be filed on January 26th against Houlihan’s, the Geneva, Illinois, restaurant where a food worker was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The lawsuit will be filed in Kane County Circuit Court on behalf of named plaintiff Rebecca Johnson, a Genoa, Illinois, resident who dined at Houlihan’s with her family on January 19, 2007, and all other persons who were exposed to the hepatitis A virus at Houlihan’s between January 8 and January 19, and were forced to receive Immune Globulin shots to prevent becoming ill with hepatitis A. 

Marler Clark filed its third lawsuit on behalf of a victim of last year’s E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to Taco John’s restaurants in Iowa and Minnesota. The lawsuit was filed against Taco John’s in Minnesota state court in Albert Lea on behalf of an Albert Lea resident and her young son who was one of at least 33 Minnesota residents who became ill with E. coli infections after eating contaminated food at Taco John’s restaurants in late November and early December, 2006. 

An Opinion-Editorial regarding the nation’s food supply, written by Bill Marler after a cow in Washington State tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy “BSE,” or “Mad Cow” Disease.

Another E. coli lawsuit was filed against Taco Bell by Marler Clark in New York. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Clinton, New York, resident who became ill with an E. coli infection and was hospitalized for four days after eating E. coli-contaminated food at Taco Bell. 

William Marler called on Taco John’s to pay the medical bills of all individuals who became ill with E. coli infections as part of the outbreak. “We know that at least 26 people were hospitalized during this outbreak,” Marler said. “Some families are already facing bills in the tens of thousands of dollars. It’s only right that Taco John’s should step up and pay all victims’ medical bills.”

Marler Clark filed its second lawsuit against Taco John’s on behalf of a victim of the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was traced to contaminated lettuce served at Taco John’s restaurants in Iowa and Minnesota. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the Northern District of Iowa on behalf of a Waterloo, Iowa, resident. 

Taco John’s was sued Thursday in Federal District Court for the Northern District of Iowa over an E. coli outbreak at its Cedar Rapids, Iowa location. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Cedar Falls couple whose nine-year-old daughter is hospitalized with an E. coli infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome. 

Marler Clark filed its second lawsuit in the Taco Bell E. coli outbreak Monday afternoon in New York Federal Court for the Northern District of New York. The lawsuit names Yum! Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, and Ready Pac Produce Inc., the company that packaged and distributed fresh produce to Taco Bell restaurants. 

An E. coli lawsuit was filed today on behalf of a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, resident who became ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection after eating food from a Taco Bell restaurant. The lawsuit was filed against Yum! Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Marler Clark. 

William Marler called on Taco Bell and its parent company, Yum! Brands, Inc., “to do the right thing and immediately pay the medical bills for the victims of this most recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced Taco Bell restaurants in New York and New Jersey.” Marler noted that in other outbreak-situations companies such as Dole, Jack in the Box, Odwalla, Chi-Chi’s and Sheetz advanced medical costs for outbreak victims whose illnesses were traced to their food products.

An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in New Jersey has sickened at least 19 people, most of whom reported eating at New Jersey Taco Bell restaurants in the days before they became ill with symptoms of E. coli infections. The victims range in age from one to 23 years old. Seven remain hospitalized, two with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of E. coli infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that at least 183 people in 18 states had been confirmed ill with Salmonellosis as part of a nation-wide outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium infections that has been traced to contaminated tomatoes. Twenty-two people were hospitalized during the outbreak, which peaked in September and is now over.

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit on behalf of the estate of an 81-year-old Nebraska resident who died after suffering complications of an E. coli O157:H7 infection traced to contaminated spinach. “John Doe Farms” is named as a defendant, along with Dole Food Company, Natural Selections Foods, and No Frills Supermarkets. 

William Marler, a nationally-recognized food safety advocate and attorney, today called on the spinach industry “to do the right thing and immediately pay the medical bills for the victims of this most recent outbreak traced to E. coli-contaminated spinach.” Marler noted that, in other large outbreaks, companies such as Jack in the Box, Odwalla, Chi-Chi’s and Sheetz advanced medical costs for outbreak victims whose illnesses were traced to their food products.

Marler Clark has retained the Buffalo-Rochester based law firm Underberg & Kessler to assist them with litigation resulting from the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to bagged spinach. Marler Clark has filed lawsuits on behalf of Wisconsin, Oregon, and Utah residents, and is currently investigating claims on behalf of New York residents who have contacted the firm in regards to potential legal claims stemming from the outbreak.

On Monday, Seattle-based Marler Clark will file another lawsuit on behalf of a victim of the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to contaminated spinach. The lawsuit will be filed against Natural Selection Foods, LLC and National Selection Foods

A Milwaukee family filed suit against Dole today in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The lawsuit was filed by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of an Oregon woman on Thursday

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against Dole in United States District Court for the District of Oregon. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Gwyn Wellborn, a Salem, Oregon woman who became ill with an E. coli O157:H7 infection after eating Dole brand baby spinach. 

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against Filiberto’s, the Arizona restaurant chain whose restaurant located at 3446 University Avenue in San Diego was traced as the source of a food poisoning outbreak in late August, 2006. The lawsuit was filed in San Diego County Superior Court on behalf of Nicole Lewis, a San Diego resident who ate at the restaurant and subsequently became ill with Shigellosis, an illness caused by ingestion of the Shigella bacterium. 

Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the company whose Greenwood, Indiana, store was the source of a Salmonella outbreak between May and August, 2006. The lawsuit was filed in Johnson County Superior Court on behalf of Ryan Merritt, a Greenwood resident whose son became violently ill and was hospitalized after consuming foods purchased at the Wal-Mart deli. 

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department reported that Ryan’s Restaurant in Hixson, Tennessee, was the potential source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the Tennessee Valley earlier this summer. Seven of eight individuals who became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections as part of the outbreak reported eating at the restaurant, located at 5104 Hixson Pike, between July 8 and July 20. Four children from one family all became ill, with at least one child needing supportive care when she developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Marler Clark filed an E. coli lawsuit against Wendy’s, the Dublin, Ohio-based restaurant chain whose North Ogden, Utah, restaurant was traced as the source of an E. coli O121:H19 outbreak in late June, 2006. The complaint, which was filed in Weber County Superior Court, seeks compensation for the family’s significant medical-related expenses, economic losses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. 

The Dare County, North Carolina Department of Public Health issued a warning to all patrons who ate at the Player’s Grille at Nags Head Golf Links on July 14 and 18, 2006. A restaurant employee who worked at the Player’s Grille on those days was recently diagnosed with hepatitis A, a virus that can lead to liver failure. Because the employee was infectious while working, the Dare County Health Department is encouraging all people who ate at the restaurant on July 14 and 18 to receive Immune globulin injections to prevent hepatitis A infection.

A class action lawsuit filed against the State of New York was certified today. The class certification ruling allows all persons who were damaged as a result of the Cryptosporidium outbreak at the Seneca Lake State Park Spraypark in 2005 to join the class and receive compensation for their injuries and economic damages. The motion requesting certification of the class was filed in December of 2005.

An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been traced to a Sidney, Nebraska, day care center. At least four children between the ages of nine and 18 months who were being cared for in the Blues Clues Room at Here Wee Grow day care center in Sidney have become ill with E. coli infection. http://www.about-ecoli.com provides information related to the symptoms and risks associated with E. coli O157:H7 infection, how E. coli is detected, possible ways to prevent infection, and recent news associated with outbreaks. 

Marler Clark filed three lawsuits Tuesday against the Fern Hill Country Club, the caterer whose pastries were traced as the source of a Salmonella outbreak among attendees at receptions held at the Macomb County Community College Performing Arts Center following two Donny Osmond concerts in April, 2005. 

An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been traced to a Macon County, Tennessee, day care center. The Tennessee Department of Health reported that nine children became ill with E. coli infections, after being exposed to an ill child at Paulette’s Group Day Care Home. Two of the children were admitted to Children’s Hospital after the E. coli bacteria caused their kidneys to shut down.

A hepatitis A outbreak was traced to Sharky’s restaurant in Tillamook, Oregon. Marler Clark encouraged residents of Tillamook County to be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis A infection and stressed the importance of proper hygiene in the prevention of the further spread of illness. 

Bill Marler is in Minneapolis, finalizing settlements from the Dole E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, and investigating a Salmonella outbreak traced to an Uptown Minneapolis restaurant. At least 20 people became ill after eating at Cafe Barbette on June 5th and 6th. 

In just a year and a half, the American meat industry has experienced a whiplash of beef recalls.  40 million pounds of meat tainted with highly toxic E. coli O157:H7 has been publicly recalled, up by a staggering factor of two hundred from the 2006 amount of only 181,900 pounds. 

An outbreak of the highly toxic E. coli O157:H7 at a Boy Scout camp in Goshen, Virginia is the latest statistic in an alarming increase in E. coli in the US.  Since the spring of 2007, more than 40 million tons of contaminated beef have been recalled, hundreds have been sickened, and some of the ill are fighting for their lives.  The Goshen outbreak has confirmed 14 illnesses with 10 hospitalizations, but as many as 70 may be sick. 

An outbreak of the highly toxic strain of E. coli O157:H7 in the Boston area appears to be part of a multi-state outbreak that has sickened more than 50 people in seven states.  The E. coli in the six confirmed illnesses in Boston has the same genetic fingerprint as the illnesses in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Georgia, and Utah.  Those illnesses have been traced to contaminated beef from Nebraska Beef, Ltd. of Omaha.

The first lawsuit stemming from the Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 1319 people, hospitalized 255 and caused the death of 2 in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Canada was filed today in the District Court of Montezuma County, Colorado.  The complaint was filed on behalf of Delores, Colorado resident Brian Grubbs against Wal-Mart and an unknown supplier, referred to as “John Doe”.  Mr. Grubbs is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Colorado attorney David Woodruff of Hillyard, Wahlberg, Kudla & Sloane.

A lawsuit was filed yesterday in the Circuit Court for Barry County, Missouri against Soni Copeland and the Herb Depot and Organic Market.  The petition was filed on behalf of Monett residents Brian and Angela Pedersen and their young son, Larry.  The Pedersen family is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Aleshire, Robb, and Sivils of Springfield, Missouri.

Food safety advocate and attorney William Marler is calling on the Meat Industry and the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to make the inspection reports from meat processing facilities visible and easily available to the public so that consumers—in including grocery stores and restaurants—can make informed choices on which products they want to purchase.

RE: Food Safety in the United States
Dear U.S. Congress Member:
I am writing to you because the American people are losing confidence in the U.S. government’s ability to keep our food supply safe.

The first Georgia lawsuit stemming from national E. coli outbreak linked to seven states was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division against Nebraska Beef Limited.  The complaint was filed on behalf of Evelyn and John M. Stewart of Moultrie, GA, who are represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Albany attorney F. Faison Middleton, IV of Watson, Spence, Lowe & Chambless, LLP.

As investigating health authorities grapple with the extent of the Nebraska Beef outbreak, more victims are asserting claims against the meat company.  The recent filing occurred today in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, on behalf of Pickerington , OH resident Dawn Grieves, who was infected with the toxic E. coli strain O157:H7 after eating ground beef processed by Nebraska Beef Ltd.  The plaintiff is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle firm that specializes in E. coli suits, and by Nicholas Philips of the Cleveland area firm of Phillips, Mille and Constabile.

The widening cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections in Georgia may be linked to an outbreak E. coli illnesses in Ohio and Michigan.  The Moultrie Observer and WALB report that preliminary testing has linked the Georgia cases to the 41 in Ohio and Michigan, which have been traced back to beef products from Nebraska Beef Ltd. of Omaha. 

In a press release issued today, Nebraska Beef attempted to downplay the seriousness of its recall of over 265 tons of ground beef, beef chuck, other beef products because of possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7.  It claims “The Company has processed over 10 billion pounds of product without a confirmed customer illness.” Nebraska Beef’s press release does not define what it considers a “confirmed customer illness,” but it does not appear to be the same standard that the USDA and the CDC used in deciding to press for the Class I Recall, based on “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” See USDA Recall Release, 022-2008, June 30, 2008

The first E. coli lawsuit stemming from the Ohio and Michigan E. Coli outbreak was filed today in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County, OH against Kroger and its as yet unidentified meat supplier (“John Doe”). [An amended complaint naming Nebraska Beef Ltd was filed on July 2, 2008.] The complaint was filed on behalf of a New Albany resident who was infected with the toxic E. coli strain O157:H7 after eating ground beef purchased from a Dublin, Ohio Kroger.  The plaintiff is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of foodborne illness, and by Nicholas Philips of the Cleveland area firm of Phillips, Mille and Constabile.

With the Michigan State Health Department linking Kroger ground beef to many of the illnesses in Michigan (which have also been linked to illnesses in Ohio), Kroger must recall all possibly contaminated ground beef and tell the public who supplied it, said Seattle food safety attorney William D. Marler.

The search for the source of salmonella-tainted tomatoes that have sickened at least 613 people in 33 states has been powered by genetic fingerprinting – the technology that allows public health investigators to go beyond serotyping to identify clusters of illness.  PFGE—pulsed-field gel electrophoresis—is the testing process used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health laboratories to analyze the DNA of bacterium.  Specimens with indistinguishable DNA are said to share a common ancestry.  When combined with epidemiological information, PFGE analysis has proven to be a powerful tool in outbreak detection.

A third hepatitis A lawsuit was filed today against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., in San Diego County Superior Court.  The complaint was filed on behalf of two Santee residents, Nick Sowter and Shannon Jacobs (husband and wife).  Both were infected with hepatitis A after eating food from the Chipotle Grill in La Mesa, California, in March and April 2008.  The couple is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and Keeney, Waite, & Stevens, a San Diego area firm.

The CDC, public health officials in 28 states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working together on an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human salmonella serotype saintpaul infections linked to the consumption of raw tomatoes.  According to food borne illness attorney William Marler, this isn’t the first time tomatoes are the source of salmonella infections.

Accomplished foodborne illness attorney R. Drew Falkenstein is a featured speaker at the Alabama Environmental Health Association (AEHA) Annual Education Conference being held this week in Florence.  Mr. Falkenstein will present You Break It, You Bought it: Incentivising Food Safety by Making Restaurants Reimburse Outbreak Costs on Thursday, June 19 at 9:35 a.m. at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Place in Florence.

Bruce Clark, accomplished personal injury lawyer and expert in foodborne illness litigation, will speak at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IAMA) World Forum and Symposium.  Mr. Clark will be speaking on Tuesday, June 17 at 2:00 p.m., in a panel titled Managing Food Safety and Health Concerns.  The conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey. 

William Marler, food safety advocate and expert in foodborne illness litigation, will speak at the Inaugural British Food Journal Annual Lecture on Tuesday, 17 June from 11:00 a.m.  His lecture, titled “Caused Food Poisoning?  See You in Court” will be presented at the Royal Institute of Public Health, 28 Portland Place, London W1B 1DE.  On Wednesday, 18 June, Mr. Marler will speak at the Food Network Wales/United Kingdom Association for Food Protection (UKAFP) Conference at the Village Hotel, 29 Pendwyallt Rd, Cardiff CF14.

The CDC, public health officials in several states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working together on an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human salmonella serotype saintpaul infections linked to the consumption of tomatoes.  According to food borne illness attorney William Marler, this isn’t the first time tomatoes are the source of salmonella infections.

Ten confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection found in north Thurston and south Pierce counties have been traced to bagged, commercial romaine lettuce, commonly used in food service (not sold retail).  The Washington State Health Department says four cases of infection with the highly toxic E. coli O157:H7 were identified in Thurston County, and six in Pierce County.  Some of the victims were hospitalized.  All eaten salad at different locations, indicating that those locations probably got their lettuce from a single source.

New Mexico health officials have announced that uncooked tomatoes appear to be the source in the salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 31 people since early May.  The specific strain—known as salmonella St. Paul—has infected residents of seven New Mexico counties: Dona Ana, Socorro, Curry, McKinley, San Juan, Bernalillo, and Sandoval.  Nearby states including Texas, Utah, and Colorado, and Arizona have reported infections by salmonella St. Paul, and investigations are continuing.

William Marler, national expert in food borne illness litigation and accomplished personal injury lawyer, will speak at the Food Safety: Farm to Table conference, a collaborative effort between Washington State University and the University of Idaho.  Mr. Marler is the keynote speaker, opening the conference on Wednesday, May 28th at 8:45 AM with the topic Outbreak Update Trends 2006-2008.  The conference is being held at the University Inn Best Western, 1516 Pullman Road, Moscow, Idaho.

An E. coli lawsuit was filed today against Yum Brands—the parent company of Taco Bell—in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Debra Moyer, a resident of Boyertown, PA, who became gravely ill with an E. coli infection after eating contaminated food from a Taco Bell in Gilbertsville (about 40 miles NW of Philadelphia).  Ms. Moyer is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and the Ferrara Law Firm of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 

A second Hepatitis A lawsuit was filed today against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., in San Diego County Superior Court.  The complaint was filed on behalf of San Diego resident Rhonda Salgado, who was infected with Hepatitis A after eating food from the Chipotle Grill in La Mesa, California, between February and April 2008.  Ms. Saldago is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and Keeney, Waite, & Stevens, a San Diego area firm.

A lawsuit was filed today against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., in San Diego County Superior Court for the recent hepatitis A outbreak linked to a La Mesa Chipotle restaurant.  Terry Wesley, the plaintiff, became infected with hepatitis A after eating in March and April at the Chipotle Grill on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, California.  Mr. Wesley is represented by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm dedicated to representing victims of food borne illness, and Keeney, Waite, & Stevens, a San Diego area firm.

William Marler, national expert in food borne illness litigation and accomplished personal injury lawyer, will speak at the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences on Tuesday, May 6 at 3:00 PM.  He is a guest lecturer in the Food: Safety, Risk, and Technology class taught by distinguished teaching professor Dr. Ted Labuza.

A report released by the influential Pew Commission yesterday on Industrial Farm Animal Production could result in chickens and cows receiving more humane treatment.  Pew’s recommendations, based on a two-year study, would eliminate practices standard on “factory farms”.  In California, a pending anti-cruelty initiative on the ballot would address the same abuses. 

William Marler, managing partner of Seattle-based Marler Clark, has been selected for a prestigious law award recognizing his work on behalf of a safer food supply.  The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA) has selected him for the 2008 Public Justice Award, which is bestowed upon “an individual or organization whose efforts, courage, litigation, or innovative work results in the creation of a more just society”.  The award will be presented to Mr. Marler at the May 1, 2008 Law Day Dinner. 

William Marler, managing partner of Seattle-based Marler Clark, has been selected for two prestigious law awards.  The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA) has selected him for the 2008 Public Justice Award, and the King County Bar Association (KCBA) has given him the 2008 Outstanding Lawyer Award.

San Diego is the latest in a series out outbreaks and exposure to hepatitis A via restaurant food and/or infected workers.  County health officials there say they are investigating twelve cases of hepatitis A linked to a Chipotle Mexican Grill in La Mesa.

SEATTLE, WA Residents of Maine and Minnesota are confirmed infected with Salmonella Agona, the strain of Salmonella identified in the Malt-O-Meal recall, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that at least 14 other states are reporting illnesses.  Two victims have been hospitalized in Maine, and more than 23 cases are under investigation by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is hosting a public meeting to discuss the challenges and proposed solutions for reducing the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin producing E. coli in raw beef.  The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Georgetown, 2101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC.  The meeting will feature various presentations and panel discussions by FSIS officials, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, representatives from industry and consumer groups, as well as by William Marler, a prominent food-borne illness attorney whose firm represents those sickened by the pathogen. 

Few subjects draw more immediate attention or concern than the safety of the food we eat, and Seattle University School of Law will host an in-depth conference to address the issue. “Who’s Minding the Store: The Current State of Food Safety and How It Can Be Improved,” a conference organized and sponsored by Marler Clark and Stoel Rives, will take place April 11 and 12 at Sullivan Hall on the Seattle University campus. 

An E. coli lawsuit was filed today against Rochester Meat Company in Wisconsin Federal District Court. The lawsuit, which stems from an E. coli outbreak traced to Rochester Meat Company’s ground beef products in late 2007 and early 2008, was filed on behalf of a Fitchburg, Wisconsin family. The family is represented by Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm nationally recognized for its efforts on behalf of victims of foodborne illness.

Marler Clark will file a lawsuit Thursday against Castleberry’s Food Co., the company that recalled tens of millions of pounds of canned meat products sold under over 80 different labels after they were identified as the source of a botulism outbreak in July, 2007. The lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on behalf a New London, Ohio resident who became ill with botulism poisoning after consuming Castleberry’s Chili Sauce in late June of 2007.