U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
The Estate of Elaine Filment Hayes Babcock v. Frontera Produce and Primus Labs
The family of Elaine Filment Hayes Babcock, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana resident, filed a lawsuit against Frontera Produce and Primus Labs, alleging that Ms. Babcock fell ill with a Listeria infection in September of 2011 after eating contaminated Jensen Farms cantaloupe.
According to the lawsuit, 87-year-old Ms. Babcock was found unresponsive on the floor of her home on September 25, 2011 by her son, who rushed her to the hospital. Despite medical treatment, Ms. Babcock was transferred to a hospice facility on September 30. She passed away on October 1, 2011 of listeriosis.
A blood sample Ms. Babcock gave while hospitalized tested positive for one of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak. Her medical treatment cost nearly $45,000.
Bossier Parish District Court
The Estate of Frances Gilbert v. Frontera Produce, Primus Labs and The Kroger Company
According to a lawsuit filed by the family of Frances Gilbert, Ms. Gilbert consumed Jensen Farms Rocky Ford brand cantaloupe purchased from the Bossier City Kroger store in August and September of 2011. The cantaloupe was contaminated with Listeria bacteria, and 80-year-old Ms. Gilbert fell ill with a Listeria infection on September 14, 2011.
Ms. Gilbert’s condition deteriorated quickly, and the next day she was transported and admitted to the hospital. While there, Ms. Gilbert’s blood specimen tested positive for one of 5 strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the Jensen Frams cantaloupe outbreak.
Despite medical treatment, her condition did not improve and she passed away on September 22, 2011 due to listeriosis. Her medical expenses were in excess of $50,000.