News
Marler Clark has published 4,824 articles about foodborne illness outbreaks and lawsuits.
Current Outbreaks
March 18, 2023
Washington Hepatitis A Outbreak linked to Imported Strawberries
5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 1 state (Washington).Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022.2 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have...
December 29, 2022
SunSprout alfalfa sprouts linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Eight States
All Articles
December 11, 2022 • Case News
The Ultimate Guide to Hepatitis A and Liver Disease
Exposure to the hepatitis A virus can cause an acute infection of the liver that is typically mild and resolves on its own. The symptoms and duration of illness vary a great deal, with many persons showing no symptoms at all. Fever and jaundice are two of the symptoms most …
December 11, 2022 • Case News
What You Should Know About E. coli in Manure
E. coli O157:H7 bacteria and other pathogenic E. coli mostly live in the intestines of cattle, but E. coli bacteria have also been found in the intestines of chickens, deer, sheep, and pigs. A 2003 study on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in livestock at 29 county and three …
December 11, 2022 • Case News
How Do You Prove Where You Got Food Poisoning?
How does one evaluate a legitimate foodborne illness claim? I rely on four primary tools. All four are important. Combined, they can establish an airtight case. 1. Health Department Investigation of an Outbreak or Incident 2. Prior Health Department Inspections 3. Medical Records 4. Lab Results …
December 11, 2022 • Case News
Is Food Poisoning Considered an Accidental Injury?
Hopefully that is the case, and in the great majority of cases the answer is that food poisoning an accidental injury. However, there have been times over human history where food is intentionally tainted. Clearly, in those instances criminal sanctions are appropriate and warranted. In a commercial sale of food …
December 07, 2022 • Firm News
POISONED: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat.
At the end of 1992, Jack in the Box was the fifth-largest fast-food chain in the country, courting the market with the Monster Burger and its soon-to-be-immensely-regretted slogan, “So good it’s scary.” The first sign of trouble was a desperately ill girl in San Diego (this was Lauren Rudolph, who …
November 25, 2022 • Case News
What To Do When Your Dog Gets Campylobacter
In dogs, typical symptoms include watery to mucoid diarrhea, straining, abdominal cramping or pain, lethargy, and fever. The diarrhea may last a week or more and often relapses suddenly after the dog appears to have recovered. Many dogs appear unaffected by campylobacteriosis and the condition is often self-limiting, requiring no …
November 25, 2022 • Case News
Can You Sue a Grocery Store for Botulism?
Is everyone who handles an injurious food product potentially liable then? No. Most states’ laws will not hold a retail food seller liable if it simply sold a contaminated food product it did not manufacture unless there is evidence of negligence, some unreasonable act. Suppose you buy a can of …
November 17, 2022 • Case News
The History and Origins of the Norovirus
Nature has created an ingenious bug in norovirus. The round blue ball structure of norovirus is a protein surrounding the virus’s genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine, and then transfers its genetic material into those cells. Once the genetic material has been transferred …
November 17, 2022 • Case News
November 13, 2022 • Outbreaks
My view of 30 Years of the largest and most unforgettable Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in the United States
Over the last 30 years, I have had a front seat to most every large Foodborne Illness Outbreak in the United States. Years ago, I could quickly recall each of them. Perhaps as I have grown a bit older, or perhaps there are now just too many to count? I …
November 12, 2022 • Case News
How Do Chickens Become Infected With Salmonella?
Chickens can become infected with Salmonella the same way humans get it – through the oral route. In addition to the oral route, chickens can become infected with Salmonella through their navel. Eggs can also become infected with salmonella even before their shells form. …
November 12, 2022 • Case News
E. coli in Lakes: Why It Happens and What You Should Know
The CDC makes a clear warning about E. coli and water – especially, unchlorinated water: “Don’t swallow water when swimming and when playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and backyard “kiddie” pools.” …
November 12, 2022 • Case News
Tips for Avoiding a Hepatitis A Infection
Hepatitis A is totally and completely preventable. Although outbreaks continue to occur in the United States, no one should ever get infected if preventive measures are taken. For example, food handlers must always wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and certainly before …
November 09, 2022 • Publications
Serving up Trouble
The United States has seen several foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years, including a 2008 salmonella outbreak linked to raw tomatoes and peppers that sickened 1,442 people in 43 states,2 a 2006 E. coli outbreak that was later linked to Dole brand baby spinach and resulted in 204 confirmed E …
November 09, 2022 • Outbreaks
South African mother loses newborn to listeriosis in 2018 Tiger brand polony outbreak
The Tiger Brands polony listeriosis outbreak began at the start of 2017 and was officially declared over in September 2018 with 1,065 confirmed cases and at least 218 deaths. Marler Clark, the listeria attorneys, became involved as of counsel, providing guidance and resources to the South African law firm litigating these cases. …
November 09, 2022 • Outbreaks
The World’s Largest and Deadliest Listeria Outbreak is turning 4 in March
In this article, Bill Marler, a Listeria attorney, writes about the 2017 and 2018 largest and deadliest outbreak of listeriosis to occur in South Afriica. The outbreak was caused by contaminated polony, a ready-to-eat, processed meat product. Ready-to-eat, processed meats are a well-known vehicle for listeriosis outbreaks (Thomas et al. …
November 08, 2022 • Outbreaks
16 days hospitalized: Summer E. Coli outbreak linked to Wendy's takes a toll on Michiganders
The Marler Clark, E. coli attorneys represent 48 victims of the Wendy's E. coli outbreak. A total of 109 people from six states, including New York, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania, were known to be infected from July 26 to Aug. 17. Michigan had the greatest number of cases with 67 …
October 28, 2022 • Case News
Strict Liability and Negligence and when they apply and chain of distribution liability.
A consumer buys a food item at a store, handles it appropriately, eats it and gets sick from Salmonella or E. coli. Who is legally responsible? The store, the distributor, the manufacturer, the supplier of the particular ingredient that was contaminated? As with most things legal, it depends. The …
October 26, 2022 • Publications
Facing Lawsuits and Angry Customers, This Company Has Yet to Recall a Potentially Harmful Smoothie
Revive Superfoods used tara in its mango pineapple smoothie, the same ingredient that led to a highly publicized Daily Harvest recall over the summer. …
October 25, 2022 • Publications
A Produce Nightmare at Retail | A leading U.S. food safety lawyer amalgamates cases he has worked on, warning what can happen if food safety is not prioritized.
Bill Marler, a food poisoning lawyer, amalgamates cases he has worked on, waring what can happen if food safety is not prioritized. …
October 25, 2022 • Events & Speaking Engagements
California Polytechnic State University (2022)
Bill Marler presented to a group of students about the importance of food safety and the role of laws and regulations in food safety and production. …
October 24, 2022 • Publications
Will USDA do something about Salmonella at long last?
Bill Marler, the Salmonella attorney, has just visited Washington DC to push for immediate regulation and legislation. Politico notes that his visit comes on the heels of a scathing ProPublica investigation about multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis in poultry and our “baffling and largely toothless food safety system that is ill-equipped to …
October 23, 2022 • Outbreaks
October 23, 2022 • Outbreaks
October 20, 2022 • Outbreaks
The Cyclospora Outbreak of 2022: A Quick Guide
Latest Information The number of reported cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis illnesses has increased by 260 cases since the last update on August 25, 2022. Cases continue to be reported. As of September 28, 2022, 1,060 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in people who had no history of international travel during …
Food Safety Resources
E. coli Food Poisoning
What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs …
E. coli O157:H7
E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing …
Non-O157 STEC
Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) …