Marler Clark, the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, and Fayetteville lawyer Steven Lawrence filed two lawsuits Tuesday against the Holiday Inn Bordeaux. The lawsuits were filed in Cumberland County Superior Court on behalf of two Fayetteville women who allege that they became ill with Salmonella infections after eating food purchased from the Holiday Inn.
According to the complaints, Lucille Thompson and Tara Foster were two of nearly 90 people who fell ill with Salmonella infections during an outbreak Cumberland County health officials traced to the Holiday Inn. Court documents state that the plaintiffs purchased and consumed food at Café Bordeaux in the Holiday Inn on May 8 or 9 and fell ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection, including agonizing abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in the days following their meals. Ms. Thompson alleges that she sought medical treatment for her illness on May 12 and received a prescription for antibiotics as well as intravenous rehydration therapy. Ms. Foster alleges that she sought medical treatment on May 13, and was admitted to Mission hospital for 4 days. Both plaintiffs claim in the lawsuits that they have not fully recovered from their illnesses.
Salmonella causes more than just a tummy ache, as my clients and at least 84 other people learned the hard way,” said Bill Marler, attorney for the plaintiffs. “The Holiday Inn owed a duty to its customers to serve safe food—not land them in the ER or hospital."