September 2, 2000
After winning settlements for several E. coli victims following an outbreak at Jack in the Box restaurants seven years ago, a Seattle law firm is turning its attention south.
The firm of Marler Clark filed a lawsuit Friday against Wendy’s International, Inc., and Westmar, Inc., in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland.
The suit, the first of likely many to come against Wendy’s, claims that Wendy’s is liable for injuries and damages suffered by 85-year-old Robert Pascal of Salem.
Pascal is seeking $155,000 in compensation for medical costs and general pain and suffering. The suit alleges that Pascal became sick after eating at Wendy’s on Commercial Street SE on Aug. 16. Over the next few days, he developed nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Tests confirmed that he picked up the E. coli bacteria, the suit says.
Wendy’s spokesman Denny Lynch said Wendy’s would consider compensation for E. coli victims.
“We’re going try to do the right thing,” he said.