E. coli Death Suit Filed Against Karl Ehmer Meats
August 1 2001
SEATTLE, WA – Marler Clark, the Seattle-based law firm known nationally for the representation of persons injured in foodborne illness outbreaks, and the Morristown law firm of Bernard J. Recenello, have filed suit on behalf of the estate of Nicolaus Brayton, who died August 1, 2000, after eating E. coli-tainted hamburger his parents purchased at Karl Ehmers. The suite claims that Karl Ehmer Meats is liable for Nicolaus’s death. According to the CDC, 73,000 illnesses and 61 deaths occur each year due to the deadly E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
Nicolaus was hospitalized at St. Barnabas Medical Center from July 29 until he was removed from life support on August 1. During his last days, Nicolaus endured severe stomach pains, became dehydrated, and had several blood transfusions. He was admitted to the ICU and eventually developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. On July 31, he stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated. By the early morning of August 1, Nicolaus’ health had deteriorated even further. It was determined that he was in acute renal failure. A CAT Scan revealed that he had suffered severe intra-cranial bleeding and cerebral swelling. He was removed from life support. 20-month-old Nicolaus was pronounced dead shortly after 4:00 am on August 1, 2000.
Nicolaus’ stool culture results confirmed that he had been infected with the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. Hamburger patties purchased from Karl Ehmer Meats recovered from the Brayton residence also tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Public Health and Environmental Laboratories, “the PFGE (Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis) pattern for this culture {20FPF45} and for the E. coli O157:H7 isolated from Nicolas (sic) Brayton’s stool culture . . . are indistinguishable from each other. . . .” The PFGE testing, also known as “genetic fingerprinting,” conclusively shows the connection between the hamburger and Nicolaus’ death.
More about the Karl Ehmer Meats E. coli case can be found in the Case News area of this site.