SEATTLE, WA - American Foods Groups, Inc., the Green Bay, Wisconsin meat supplier implicated in the recent Minnesota E. coli outbreak, should pay medical bills of those in the upper Midwest who have been stricken with the deadly E. coli bacteria, stated William Marler, the attorney best known for representing foodborne illness victims.
"American Foods should do the responsible thing for those already injured, and for others across the Upper Midwest who may yet become ill from hamburger purchased at Cub Foods, and other Supervalu stores in the region," the Seattle attorney said Monday. Additionally, Mr. Marler discovered that Supervalu was forced to recall a supply of E. coli infected meat in July of this year, less than six months ago.
Mr. Marler went on to say that it is not unusual for companies implicated in food-borne illness outbreaks to immediately begin paying medical bills for victims. "Most of the airlines are now doing this after a crash. Meat suppliers should take a hint, and be opening their check books now, before resolving concerns about liability or waiting for the filing of inevitable lawsuits," Mr. Marler added.
"Nearly eight years after Jack in the Box and we still see meat suppliers that send restaurants and consumers meat contaminated with a deadly pathogen - when will this stop - how many kids will suffer kidney damage and death?" Mr. Marler concluded.
Mr. Marler has represented hundreds of victims of food-borne illness since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box outbreak. He was awarded over $30 million for the victims of the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box E. coli outbreak, including $15.6 million for the most seriously injured survivor, Brianne Kiner. Brianne was hospitalized for six months and suffered kidney failure and brain damage.
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Background: In May 1998, Marler Clark settled the Odwalla Juice E. coli outbreak for the five families whose children were severely injured after consuming contaminated apple juice. Presently, Marler Clark is lead counsel in actions arising from several E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Hepatitis outbreaks in Wisconsin, Washington, Georgia, Oregon, California, Ohio, Missouri, and Arizona. Marler Clark has also successfully litigated on behalf of injured children against KFC, McDonalds, Wendy's, Hardees, Sizzler, Subway, and Carl's Jr.
For information on E. coli, visit www.about-ecoli.com.
More about the AFG / Supervalu E. coli outbreak can be found in the Case News area of this site.