Foodborne Illnesses / Listeria /

Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak - Marler Clark Litigation in Oklahoma

U.S. District Court for the District of Oklahoma

The Estate of William T. Beach v. Frontera Produce, Primus Labs, Homeland Stores and Associated Wholesale Grocers

The family of William T. Beach alleges that his death was caused by the consumption of Jensen Farms cantaloupe purchased from a Homeland store in Mustang, Oklahoma in August of 2011.

According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma, Mr. Beach, who was 87 years old, fell ill with symptoms of Listeria infection on August 26, 2011. Two days later, he was transported to the hospital by ambulance after he experienced difficulty breathing and his wife, Monette Beach, called 911. He was discharged home from the hospital on August 31, only to return the next day.

On September 1, Mr. Beach collapsed on the kitchen floor. His wife again called 911 and he was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. That evening, after an attempted intubation procedure to help Mr. Beach breathe, he began to hemorrhage from the mouth and nose. Soon thereafter, he died.

A blood sample collected at the medical center prior to Mr. Beach’s death tested positive for one of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak.

Medical costs associated with Mr. Beach’s Listeria infection totaled over $25,000.

Underwood v. Frontera Produce, Primus Labs, Pruett’s Food and Associated Wholesale Growers

Doyle Underwood alleges in a lawsuit that he fell ill with a Listeria infection after eating a cantaloupe purchased at a Pruett’s Foods location in Broken Bow, Oklahoma in August of 2011 and was hospitalized for nearly a month due to his illness.

According to the complaint, Mr. Underwood, who was 68 years old at the time, developed fatigue, muscle aches and mental status changes beginning on September 2, 2011. His condition worsened until he was hospitalized on September 5. He continued to receive medical treatment in the hospital until he was released on October 3.

While he was hospitalized, Mr. Underwood tested positive for one of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak. Mr. Underwood’s medical bills totaled nearly $200,000.

Cleveland County District Court

Brown v. Frontera Produce, Primus Labs, Homeland Stores and Associated Wholesale Grocers

James (Randy) and Cynthia Brown allege in a lawsuit that they purchased cantaloupe from a Homeland grocery store in Norman, Oklahoma on multiple occasions in August of 2011. According to the lawsuit, Randy Brown consumed the cantaloupes in the days following purchase.

On September 8, 2011, Randy, who was 61 years old, experienced the onset of symptoms caused by his Listeria infection. He sought medical attention the following day and was diagnosed with meningitis. Randy was admitted to the hospital, where a sample of cerebral-spinal fluid tested positive for one of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the Jensen Farms cantaloupe outbreak.

After a 5-day hospitalization, Randy was able to return home. His medical expenses exceeded $45,000.

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