--- title: "A History of Ground Beef Outbreaks, Recalls and Lawsuits" date: 2026-05-23T08:32:00-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-history-of-ground-beef-outbreaks-recalls-and-lawsuits" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Press Releases](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/press-releases) / # A History of Ground Beef Outbreaks, Recalls and Lawsuits **2026 — Kebab Shop Outbreak (California) — *Current*** As of May 19, 2026, nine California residents have been infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7, with illness onset dates ranging from March 27 through April 30, 2026. The Marler Clark is actively tracking this outbreak, consistent with their practice of monitoring and litigating every significant E. coli outbreak involving ground beef. **1993 — Jack in the Box (WA, ID, CA, NV) — *The Watershed Event*** The bacteria sickened over 700 people in four states and led to 171 hospitalizations and 4 deaths. Breaking it down by state: Washington reported 602 patients with bloody diarrhea or HUS, with 477 culture-confirmed E. coli infections, 144 hospitalizations, 30 HUS cases, and 3 deaths. Idaho reported 14 culture-confirmed cases, 4 hospitalizations, and 1 HUS case. California reported 34 patients meeting the outbreak case definition, 14 hospitalizations, 7 HUS cases, and 1 child died. Nevada reported 58 patients meeting the outbreak case definition, 9 hospitalizations, and 3 HUS cases. This was the outbreak that changed American food safety law. Like most people back then, Seattle attorney Bill Marler had never heard of the oddly named strain of bacteria — E. coli O157:H7 — identified as the culprit. He spent hours cramming in the University of Washington medical school library before filing one of the first lawsuits. He represented nine-year-old Brianne Kiner, the most critically injured survivor, who spent 40 days in a coma and doctors didn't expect to survive. Over her lifetime, Brianne Kiner will receive more than $40 million — the $15.6 million settlement approved by a King County court included $4 million paid in tax-free annuities totaling $25 million. Marler and his colleagues went on to win $50 million in damages for 200 clients sickened by undercooked hamburgers. This single case launched his career and the firm of Marler Clark. **2002 — ConAgra Beef (Greeley, Colorado) — Nationwide** At least 35 people became ill and one person died. The recall started at 354,000 lbs and ballooned to 18–19 million pounds. A total of 18 became sick in initial reporting, seven were hospitalized, and five developed HUS; one died. Marler Clark represented 23 victims of the ConAgra E. coli outbreak, which led to at least 46 illnesses and one death. Among the victims were an Ohio childcare worker, a Colorado security officer who was battling forest fires, and young children in Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Several were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Their claims were resolved in 2004. A notable client was Thomas Kruc, a nine-year-old boy living with a foster family, who suffered HUS as a complication of the E. coli infection. Marler Clark was able to secure a settlement on Thomas's behalf, in addition to resolving the other 22 cases from the outbreak. **2007 — Cargill Meat Solutions / Sam's Club (MN, WI, CO, NC, TN) — *The Stephanie Smith Outbreak*** Ground beef produced by Cargill and sold at Sam's Club stores and other retail outlets throughout the United States was determined to be the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The company recalled approximately 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties after three people in Minnesota tested positive for E. coli and an investigation by Minnesota health officials identified the Cargill hamburger patties as the source of the illnesses. Victims of the outbreak, most of whom purchased the Cargill hamburgers at Sam's Club stores, were identified in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Marler Clark filed four E. coli lawsuits against Cargill after the company recalled 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties. Marler Clark represented 14 people sickened in the outbreak, including three who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. Marler Clark resolved all claims on behalf of these clients, including those on behalf of Stephanie Smith. Stephanie Smith, the most seriously injured victim, developed HUS which shut down her kidneys and led to such frequent seizures that she was put into a medically induced coma for nine months. She emerged from the coma with brain damage, paralyzed from the waist down. Marler said of Smith: "Stephanie, by far, is the most injured E. coli victim I've ever represented who lived." Her settlement required Cargill to cover her care for life. The New York Times article about her case by Michael Moss won the Pulitzer Prize. **2007 — Topps Meat Company (NJ and 7 other states)** Topps Meat Company issued a recall of its frozen burgers after six people fell ill. By October 26, 2007, 40 cases of E. coli were identified; at least 21 people were hospitalized and two developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome. There was also one death in Canada. The recall expanded to 21.7 million pounds, and the 65-year-old company went out of business within weeks. Marler Clark filed two lawsuits against Topps — one in Albany and one in Ithaca, New York — on behalf of families with children who were hospitalized after eating Topps hamburgers and becoming ill with E. coli infections. The firm also represented victims of this outbreak from Pennsylvania and other states. All cases were resolved. **2008 — Nebraska Beef / Kroger (MI, OH, and 5 other states)** 49 confirmed E. coli O157:H7 cases were linked epidemiologically and by molecular fingerprinting to the consumption of ground beef products produced with Nebraska Beef meat. States with confirmed cases included Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Utah. Twenty-seven people were hospitalized, and one patient developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Nebraska Beef's recall eventually grew to 5.3 million pounds, and a second related outbreak from the same company sickened 31 more people in 12 states and Canada, triggering an additional recall of 1.2 million pounds. Marler Clark filed the first E. coli lawsuit stemming from the Ohio and Michigan E. coli outbreak in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County, OH against Kroger and its as-yet-unidentified meat supplier, with an amended complaint naming Nebraska Beef Ltd filed on July 2, 2008. The firm went on to represent multiple victims across several states. Marler Clark also filed the first Georgia E. coli suit against Nebraska Beef in Valdosta federal court, on behalf of a Moultrie couple. **2009 — JBS Swift Beef Company (Greeley, CO — 9 states)** Twenty-three persons infected with a strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 9 states — California, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Wisconsin. Among 17 ill persons for whom hospitalization status is known, 12 (70%) were hospitalized. Two patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths were reported. Most ill persons reported consuming ground beef, and many reported that it was undercooked. 59% of patients were under 19 years old. Marler Clark represented several victims of the JBS Swift E. coli outbreak. The firm filed an E. coli lawsuit against JBS Swift on behalf of a New Mexico child on July 6, 2009, a second lawsuit on behalf of a Washington State child on July 16, 2009, and a third lawsuit on behalf of a Wisconsin family on August 20, 2009. All cases were resolved. Marler personally noted the significance of that case — one of his clients, a 13-year-old boy, was sickened by whole muscle meat rather than ground beef, leading Marler to state publicly, "It just shows how virulent the bacteria is. This is more than just a hamburger problem." **2014 — Wolverine Packing Company (MI, MA, MO, OH)** 11 case-patients were identified in 4 states with illness onset dates ranging from April 22 to May 2, 2014, prompting a recall of approximately 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products. This was the largest ground beef recall linked to illnesses in six years at the time. Marler Clark filed a lawsuit in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court on behalf of a university student hospitalized with an E. coli O157:H7 infection linked to the nationwide recall of ground beef from Wolverine Packing Company. The firm represented multiple victims of this outbreak. **2018 — Cargill Meat Solutions (Fort Morgan, CO — 4 states)** The outbreak impacted 18 people from four states: Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. Half a dozen were hospitalized, including one person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. One Florida resident died. The recall covered approximately 132,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Sam's Club, Target, Meijer, Safeway, and other retailers. Marler Clark represented 2 victims of this outbreak and successfully settled both cases in 2019. **2022 — HelloFresh Ground Beef (6 states)** Seven people infected with E. coli O157:H7 were reported from six states. Six people were hospitalized and none developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. No deaths were reported. The Marler Clark website listed "HelloFresh linked to E. coli Outbreak in Six States" as an active matter. The firm has documented litigation in 91 E. coli cases overall and the HelloFresh outbreak appears in their active case tracking, though specific lawsuit details for this smaller outbreak are not fully published. **2024 — Lower Valley Processing / Wagyu Beef (Flathead County, Montana)** A total of 22 cases were identified from 10 states — Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, and Virginia. Six hospitalizations, three cases of HUS, and one death were reported. All cases reported eating undercooked or made-to-order burgers made with wagyu beef at one of multiple restaurants in Flathead County. Marler Clark filed the first lawsuit in the Montana Wagyu beef E. coli outbreak. Jill Dueck with Marler Clark said the firm was preparing to file a wrongful death suit for the spouse of the Arizona woman who died from E. coli after eating a Wagyu beef burger at Harbor Grille in Lakeside. She said the couple had been married for over 40 years and were visiting Northwest Montana for a wedding they never attended. Multiple additional lawsuits followed against Lower Valley Processing and individual restaurants. **2024 — Wolverine Packing Company (November, restaurant-distributed beef)** Wolverine Packing Co. recalled approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products potentially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. At least 15 case-patients were identified. Marler Clark filed the first lawsuit in the Montana Wagyu beef E. coli outbreak. Jill Dueck with Marler Clark said the firm was preparing to file a wrongful death suit for the spouse of the Arizona woman who died from E. coli after eating a Wagyu beef burger at Harbor Grille in Lakeside. She said the couple had been married for over 40 years and were visiting Northwest Montana for a wedding they never attended. Multiple additional lawsuits followed against Lower Valley Processing and individual restaurants. ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Kebab Shop E. coli Outbreak Sickens Nine](https://marlerclark.com/kebab-shop-e-coli-outbreak-sickens-nine) [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House 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Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=reactive-arthritis&year=all) [E. coli Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=e-coli&year=all) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=guillain-barre-syndrome&year=all) [Salmonella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=salmonella&year=all) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hemolytic-uremic-syndrome&year=all) [Listeria Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=listeria&year=all) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=irritable-bowel-syndrome&year=all) [Hepatitis A Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) [Norovirus Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=norovirus&year=all) [Botulism Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=botulism&year=all) [Campylobacter Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=campylobacter&year=all) [Shigella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=shigella&year=all) [Cyclospora Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ### Lawsuits updates by year [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1998](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1998) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1999](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1999) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2000](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2000) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2001](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2001) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2002](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2002) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2003](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2003) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2004](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2004) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2005](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2005) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2006](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2006) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2007](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2007) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2008](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2008) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2009](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2009) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2010](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2010) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2011](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2011) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2012](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2012) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2013](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2013) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2014](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2014) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2015](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2015) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2016](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2016) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2017](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2017) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2018](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2018) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2019](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2019) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2020](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2020) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2021](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2021) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2022](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2022) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2023](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2023) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2024](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2024) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2025](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2025) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2026](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2026) ##### Get Help #### Affected by an outbreak or recall? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/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 to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) 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 E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/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), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)