News Archive
Marler Clark has published 5,599 articles about foodborne illness outbreaks and lawsuits.
December 11, 2022 • Case News
10 Common Questions About Listeria and Their Answers
Listeria (pronounced liss-STEER-ē-uh) is a gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that can grow under either anaerobic (without oxygen) or aerobic (with oxygen) conditions. Of the six species of Listeria, only L. monocytogenes (pronounced maw-NO-site-aw-JUH-neez) causes disease in humans. …
December 11, 2022 • Case News
December 11, 2022 • Case News
What Are 3 Common Symptoms of Norovirus?
Although symptoms usually only last one to two days in healthy individuals, norovirus infection can become quite serious in children, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals. In some cases, severe dehydration, malnutrition, and even death can result from norovirus infection, especially among children and among older and immune-compromised adults in hospitals …
December 11, 2022 • Outbreaks
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 20, 2022 • Outbreaks
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 10, 2022 •
Three Seattle-area E. coli Outbreaks – 2 unknown, 1 linked to Torero’s Mexican Restaurant
Unknown E. coli Outbreak: Public Health is investigating a new outbreak of people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (also known as STEC) in King County. All but one case has been reported since June 26, 2022. Currently all of the cases are among people are from East African communities …
November 10, 2022 •
Seattle Area hit by Mystery E. coli Outbreak
Summary Public Health is investigating an outbreak of three people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (also known as STEC). Between October 4 – 16, 2022, 3 people from 3 separate households reported becoming ill. Cases have been among people ranging in age from 18 to 36 years old. Symptoms reported include diarrhea and abdominal pain. […] …
November 10, 2022 • Outbreaks
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 …
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