In 2002, I wrote an Op-ed for the Denver Post entitled: “Put me out of business. Please.”
For this trial lawyer, E. coli has been a successful practice – and a heart-breaking one. I’m tired of visiting with horribly sick kids who did not have to be sick in the first place. I’m outraged with a food industry that allows E. coli and other poisons to reach consumers, and a federal regulatory system that does nothing about it….
… And, with a little luck, it will force one damn trial lawyer to find another line of work.
From the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak of 1993 until the 2002 ConAgra E. coli outbreak, at least 95% of Marler Clark revenue was E. coli cases linked to hamburger. Today, it is nearly zero. That is success. To the beef industry – thank you for meeting the challenge. The millions spent on interventions, and the countless hours of food safety professionals, made the difference.
That all being said, there is still much the industry can do. Shiga-toxin producing E. coli will always be an issue. Listeria and antibiotic resistant Salmonella and Campylobacter, and other bad bugs we do not even know about, lurk around the corner. The industry cannot let up. Even with the success there still have been isolated tragedies like Stephanie Smith and Abby Fenstermaker who remind you the battle will likely always have to be fought.
A history of E. coli Litigation:
AFG / Supervalu E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Minnesota (2000)
Bauer Meat E. coli Litigation – Georgia (1998)
BJ’s Wholesale Club E. coli Litigation – New York and New Jersey (2002)
Camp Bournedale-South Shore Meats E. coli Outbreak Litigation – Rhode Island, Massachusetts (2009)
Cargill E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Minnesota, Tennessee (2007)
Carneco / Sam’s Club E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Wisconsin & Minnesota (2004)
ConAgra Ground Beef E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Nationwide (2002)
Cuyahoga County E. coli outbreak – Ohio (2009)
Emmpak E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Wisconsin (2002)
Excel E. coli Outbreak Lawsuit – Georgia (2001)
Fairbank Farms E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Nationwide (2009)
Flanders Provision Co. E. coli Outbreak Litigation – Colorado, Nationwide (2005)
Forest Ranch Fire Department Fundraiser E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – California (2008)
Fresno Meat Market E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – California (2007)
Interstate Meat E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Oregon, Washington & Idaho (2007)
Jack in the Box E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Western States (1993)
JBS Swift E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Nationwide (2009)
Karl Ehmer Meats E. coli Outbreak Lawsuit – New Jersey (2000)
National Steak and Poultry E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Lawsuits – Nationwide (2009)
Nebraska Beef E. coli Outbreak – Nationwide (2008)
Nebraska Beef E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Minnesota (2006)
PM Beef Holdings, Lunds & Byerly’s E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Minnesota (2007)
Rochester Meat Company E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Wisconsin, California (2008)
Rocky Mountain Natural Meats Bison E. coli Outbreak Lawsuit – Colorado, New York (2010)
S & S Foods – Goshen Boy Scout Camp E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Virginia (2008)
Stop & Shop E. coli Case – New Hampshire (2007)
Topps and Price Chopper E. coli Case – New York (2005)
Topps Meats E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Nationwide (2007)
Tyson Fresh Meats E. coli Lawsuit – Ohio (2011)
United Food Group E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Western States (2007)
Valley Meats E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania (2009)
Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits – Oregon (2000)
Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.
If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.
