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Cargill Hamburger E. coli Outbreak Lawsuits

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 in September of 2007. 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. Stephanie Smith, a 22-year-old dance instructor from Cold Spring, Minnesota was the most seriously injured victim. She developed HUS, and was paralyzed from the waist down. An article about Stephanie and the origins of the burger she ate won a Pulitzer prize for Michael Moss of the New York Times.

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.

PRESS RELEASES:

Stephanie Smith and Cargill Meat Solutions Settle E. coli Lawsuit

Marler Clark LLP PS Issues Statement Regarding the US Beef Supply

Marler Clark files E. coli lawsuit against Cargill

Marler Clark to Cargill: Step up, pay victims’ medical bills

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