Family wins as shut company fails to show in court.
San Antonio Express-News
By Don Finley
July 26, 2011
The family of an 81-year-old Seguin man who died of listeriosis during an outbreak last year was awarded a $1.1 million default judgment against a San Antonio produce company Tuesday.
Hermilo Castellanos died in June 2010, one of five listeriosis fatalities in an outbreak investigated by state health officials. Four were linked to cut celery produced by Sangar Produce & Processing Co., which was ordered closed in October.
State District Judge Barbara Nellermoe ruled in favor of Castellanos' family.
“We had a terrible time finding anyone from the company,” said David Babcock, an attorney with the Seattle law firm Marler Clark who represented the victim's family. “We did finally get them properly served, and they just didn't show up.”