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Marler Clark Files 12th Lawsuit on behalf of Victim of Cyclospora Outbreak

(Des Moines, Iowa) The 12th Cyclospora lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Jessica Martin against Fresh Express Inc. in the current Cyclospora outbreak linked to bagged salad.

Ms. Martin is represented by Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law firm, and Wandro and Associates, a Des Moines, Iowa firm. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court Southern District of Iowa Eastern Division. Complaint: Case No. 3:20-c-00061, see attached PDF.

Ms. Martin consumed ALDI Little Salad bar Brand Garden Salad purchased in Iowa City on numerous occasions during May 2020. She first became ill on or about June 1, 2020. Symptoms included stomachache, which turned severe, with explosive diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, lethargy, body aches, sweats, chills, dehydration and extreme acid reflux. The Plaintiff’s symptoms did not subside, and she remained ill over the next several days, which pushed her to seek urgent care on June 20, 2020. Ms. Martin saw an internal medicine specialist on July 2, 2020 and a stool sample was collected on July 6, 2020 which came back positive for Cyclospora. Following her diagnosis, she was prescribed Bactrim twice a day for seven days and started the treatment on July 6, 2020. She was contacted by the Johnson County Iowa Public Health officials due to her Cyclospora infection. Ms. Martin continues to recover.

Cyclospora is a nasty parasite that has been a growing problem in the U.S, that the produce industry needs to solve,” said Marler Clark managing partner, William Marler. Marler Clark represents nearly 50 victims of this Cyclospora outbreak.

As of July 8, 2020, a total of 509 people with laboratory confirmed Cyclospora infections associated with this outbreak have been reported from 8 states: Illinois (151), Iowa (160), Kansas (5), Minnesota (63), Missouri (46) Nebraska (48), North Dakota (6), and Wisconsin (30). Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 11, 2020 to July 1, 2020. Ill people range in age from 11 to 92 years with a median age of 60 and 53% are female. Of 506 people with available information, 33 people (7%) have been hospitalized.

Cyclospora: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading firm representing victims of Cyclospora outbreaks. The Cyclospora lawyers of Marler Clark have represented numerous victims of Cyclospora and other foodborne illnesses and have recovered over $750 million for clients in the last 29 years. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.

If you or a family member became ill with Cyclospora infection after consuming food and you are interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact Marler Clark Cyclospora attorneys for a free case evaluation. Call or text (206) 794-5043 or email bmarler@marlerclark.com.

2020 07 20 Complaint Jessica Martin (pdf)
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Cyclospora Food Poisoning

What is Cyclospora cayetanensis? Cyclospora cayetanensis is a unicellular, microscopic parasite that can cause food- or water-related gastrointestinal illness. The oocyst form of the parasite is chlorine-resistant and must sporulate...

Epidemiology of Cyclospora

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the protozoan parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is transmissible by ingestion of food or water contaminated with sporulated oocysts. Most cases of cyclosporiasis occur...

Cyclospora’s Mode of Infection

The modes of transmission of C. cayetanensis are still not completely understood. Direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely because the oocysts are not infectious when initially shed (unlike Cryptosporidium, another foodborne...

Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection

What are the typical symptoms of Cyclospora infection? Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea, bloating, increased gas, stomach cramps, flatulence, loss of appetite, nausea, low-grade...

How is Cyclospora Diagnosed?

Cyclosporiasis is usually diagnosed symptomatically in clinical settings, including the presence of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloating. In untreated, immunocompetent people, the diarrhea can last from days to weeks...

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